How to grow Lavender!
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My all time favorite garden plant is the Lavender. It is not just a great color in between the other perennials but it has this heavenly scent that I just can’t get enough of. I have four different types growing in the flower beds under the window and I hate to close the windows as I then miss that fantastic scent. It smells so wonderful and is so calming. It's like a touch of Heaven.
Lavender hardy in Zones 4-7!
Lavender really is a hardy little plant. It can be grown in zones from 4 to 10 quite easily. Naturally some of the types are better suited for the colder temperatures then others. Some aren't hardy to frost at all, now that does not mean that they can’t be grown in cooler climes it just means that they need to be grown in either pots or in protected areas. ( that said I have to confess that I have never had success with a lavender in a pot, my Gramps had several and he grew them in a zone 3 year after year, one of his oldest was so huge that it ones took three of my cousins to move it into the house in the early fall) Now protected area I can do, as long as the plant gets lots of sun is not shaded by trees or other plants, lives in well drained soil and is well mulched in the fall with lots of leaves and eventually snow in the winter it will live and prosper quite happily. Other then mulching growing lavender does not take much work. I’m not sure of the spelling but I think it the hardy plants are called Monsteed or Munstead. I looked it up in my gardening books but couldn’t find it. (I will keep looking then add the name in here with the correct spelling).
Lavender attracts Butterflys and bees!
In ideal growing sites a lavender mound can usually give 12-14 years of love to the garden. Eventually the woody centers will dry up but the new outside shoots will live on almost like separate plants. I have had luck splitting a couple of plants like that and separating them. Also it’s important to remember that the roots circumference is wider the visual upper plant.
All summer long the lavender attracts many different butterflies and bees. When in full bloom I’ve even seen a hummingbird or two on the plants.
Lavender types!
Lavender makes great hedges and borders. The ‘Old English Lavender’ can grow up to 3 feet high producing fragrant grey-ish leaves and purple/blue flowers. While the dwarf variety ‘Hidcote’, has darker blue flowers and will grow only to about 8-9 inches high.
As I said before, lavender loves sunshine and but will become stunted with sparse blooms if it gets too much shade from other plants and trees nearby. It likes well drained sandy soil and can even survive brief droughts without much worry. If watering gets to be necessary remember to water the lavender in the early morning before the sun gets to be too hot. Also try to water the soil without it splashing onto the leaves as that could cause a fungus that will make the plant loose its leaves and eventually the bloom spears too.
Mulching and Soil!
It is important to have the lavender planted with space around them so that air can circulate around and dry away humidity which is a bigger problem then drought. The plants do not like or need much fertilizer and actually prefer a low grade soil and will produce more flower spears. Just a small amount of well rotted manure once a year will be more then enough. It likes a low acidic soil with medium to high ph levels (7-8.5). Avoid mulches that stay wet like sawdust, straw or leaves during growing season especially in humid areas. (Leaves and straw are okay for fall mulching but should be removed once the danger of frost has passed). The constant damp can cause a fungus which will spread quite fast and cause browning of the stems and black spots on the leaves. (Remove sick plant and burn do not put into the compost heap as the disease can live on in the soil and spread to other plants as well.
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Lavender... bulb savior?
I have been experimenting with planting my spring bulbs in between the lavender. The rabbits and squirrels do not much care for lavender and for the third year in a row have stayed away from all my bulbs. The oils on the lavender plant seems to deter bugs, slugs and arachnids from making homes in the clumps, which as far as I’m concerned is another bonus.
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Starting from seed or cuttings
You can start lavender from seeds or softwood cuttings in the spring but it is less hassle and faster to buy small plants (one year old) from a good nursery. These small potted plants seem to take root much better and will become ‘show-ey’ and most likely produce a few bloom spears in the next season. My Gramps used to layer propagate but again I haven’t had much luck with it at all. I started some from seed and it was in the third season that it finally started to grow well. Since then I cheat and buy 3-6 4” potted plantlets every spring.
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Planting and pruning
In colder climates you need to wait until all danger of frost is passed and the ground is warm. (In my neck of the woods, south western Ontario, I wait until after our May 24th long weekend). Dig a hole and loosen up the dirt and mix in a scoop of sand to lighten up the soil. (The more clay in the soil the more sand) To assure great drainage make 10” or so high mounds. Carefully loosen up the roots to make sure the baby-lavender isn't root bound, don’t bury the plantlet any deeper then it is in the pot. Gently water after planting and for the next few days.
Older overgrown lavender plants benefit from a light pruning in early autumn remember to try these clippings dipped in a growing medium then potted.However these cuttings will have to either go inside over the winter or in a protected winter frame. I have done just that this past season and so far so good (I'm whispering this because I do not want to jinx the whole process by bragging too much.) If it works out I should have at least 36 new plants. Sooner or later I will have my lavender hedge...
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A quick recap:
To grow healthy hardy and drought tolerant lavender plants you will need to choose an area with plenty of sun, low moisture with good drainage, in mounds of light sandy or gravel soil.
Cut the flowers spears when the buds are just starting to open, hang in bunches upside down in a dry warm place. Use in cooking and household items. (The hub with lavender based recipes is in the works and will be published soon)
Do a good pruning after 4-5 years of growth and then every second year after that. Don't waste the cuttings as they can be used to make more plants OR dried and put into small netting or muslin baggies and used as a drawer or closet fresheners also added to potpourrie.
pictures courtesiy of www.sxc.hu
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CommentsLoading...
Great information! I started growing some this past year with some marginal success. We have a lot of clay here so that's been a bit of of a hurdle to get over. I'm looking forward to using my lavender for tea!
Thank you for taking a look and for commenting Medic Alert Necklace.
regards Zsuzsy
craftybegonia, lavender is my all time favorite and the most versatile herb ever.
Thanks for taking a look and for commenting
regards Zsuzsy
Pretty hub. Love the pics. We had lavender in our garden. We gotta get new plants, they go wonderfully well with the roses.
Mini Greenhouse Guy thank you for taking a look and for commenting
regards Zsuzsy
Hi Zsuzsy, what a detailed hub! Ive grown lavender for years but this has really been refreshing! Great work please keep it up. :-) Thanks!
I absolutely love, love, love Lavender... did I mention that I love lavender?
Always glad when you pop in for a visit.
kindest regards Zsuzsy
I knew we were friends. This is super info...you have encouraged me to continue trying to grow my favorite fragrance.
lindabirder, just the thought of seeing and smelling a field full of lavender makes me weak in the knees.
Visiting these fields is definitely on my list
regards Zsuzsy
Thanks so much for the lavender information. My 6 year old bush has been doing well until this year, because it is getting too woody. I will use your advise (and not divide) and clip this fall, and dry using lavender around the house and using clipping.
I also will consider adding visiting a huge lavender field in France or Scotland to my bucket list.
DawnM, thanks for stopping in. I was just rejoicing this morning at how gorgeous the lavender is again this year and the scent coming into the house from the under the window lavender bush is just heavenly.
regards Zsuzsy
thank-you zsuzsy bee I love lavender and I use it sometimes when I make my own organic cleaning products for my home to add a little fresh scent to them!!
MaritimeGem, Lavender really is a hardy little plant. Find it a nice protected spot but remove it from the pot. I have never had much luck with keeping lavender in a pot.
thanks for taking a look and for commenting.
regards Zsuzsy
Thanks for this! I am trying to grow lavender for the first time,, to tell you the truth it doesnt look good. It's in a pot, in partial shade and no sand in the soil, tomorrow I will change a few things and see what happens.
frogyfish, on the of my top 'to-do-before....' list is a trip to France to a lavender in bloom field. I can't think of anything more fantastic then being able to stand in the middle of that heavenly scent.
Go for it. Grow some lavender,it really is not too hard, you will love it. Then if you have a day when things don't want to go the way you want them to go, you can simply pick of a leaf, rub it between your fingers and breath in the scent and breath out the stress.
Thanks for taking a look and for commenting.
kindest regards Zsuzsy
I never thought of a lavender hedge but it sounds so delightful. I have never grown my own lavender but your hints are so tempting I just must consider it. Thank you for sharing! Do waft some fragrance my way! Ummmm! Thank you!
wendyroberts, thank you for taking a look and for commenting.
Kindest regards Zsuzsy
That sounds like a great way to repel rabbits. I've been using Defence to keep rabbits out of my garden. Because of this spray, I don't need a fence anymore. Plus, it’s organic.
Here's the repellent I'm talking about:
4youreyes, thank you for taking a look and for commenting.
happy gardening to you too
Kindest regards Zsuzsy
Zsuzsy Bee,
I liked your hub I found it to be informative.I also love lavender and have one growing in my garden.I learned something new ,thanks to you,I will now be keeping my clippings.Hopefully I'll be able to get some new plants going.Thanks-for the great hub. Happy gardening!
Pamela thank you for taking a look and for commenting.
Lavender is my all time favorite. That portrait sound fabulous. Did you get it?
Kindest regards Zsuzsy
Great hub. This must be my week for lavender. I didn't know anything about it or what it looked like until the other day when I found the most beautifully pastelled portrait of lavender with one red poppy (online) and that made me want to know more.
I like the way you've written your profile bio. It really is positive and catching.
Pollyannalana, I come from a long line of green thumbs. Mine took a long time in developing. I can grow most anything outside but the inside stuff...well let say those poor things still have harsh living conditions. They do get all the care in the world in the winter months but watch out once spring starts...I'm quite ashamed to admit that I've had to resurrect many a stick in a pot in my life time.
kindest regards
Zsuzsy
Good hub, Rosemary has been my only hardy one until this winter, now I see my Lavender is hanging on,but I will book mark this and try to do better, some people just have a green thumb and I think Id need some green paint to get mine, but I never give up. Thx for your expertise.
Brent, glad you stopped in for a visit. I personally have had absolutely no luck with wintering a lavender inside. It becomes sickly looking shortly after I put it outside...it hangs on and on and by midsummer it dies. I tried on many occasions and eventually gave up. Now my Grams on the other hand used to winter most of her lavender and rosemary in the house.
Good luck
regards Zsuzsy
I'm really thrilled to see that SW Ontario can support lavender. I'm definitely taking your advice and picking up a plant from this nursery in spring. Is it possible to grow it indoors in a pot during the winter? Maybe I could pick one up now? Too much to ask for?
Dolores you're very welcome. Once the lavender takes root it will grow well. Best of luck
regards Zsuzsy
I stuggled with lavender for years and killed many a plant. There is nothing likie paying attention to the growing needs of a plant instead of planting something where you think it might look good. Thanks for the advise!
Laringo! I'm always glad if I can inspire, makes me sound soooo important. hehe
I never seem to have enough so I add on to my lavender bushes each year.
I'm always glad when you pop in for a visit hope you're well
regards Zsuzsy
Tim thanks for taking a look and for commenting.
regards Zsuzsy
This plant is my favorite because of the color and smell. I keep saying that I'm going to plant some every year and then I don't. This Hub has inspired me. Thanks Zsuzsy.
Thanks for the great hub Bee!
Lisa thanks for taking a look and for commenting. Lavender started from seed can be a little fragile for the first season but from then on it's okay. Definitely the cheapest way to start off if you want a quite a few lavender plants in the garden. If you only have room for a couple, buy the plantlets already started in the 3x3" or 4" plastic containers from the nursery. There is a much higher survival rate that way.
regards Zsuzsy
Zsuzsy Bee, excellent Hub. Someone gave me some lavender seeds to start a few years ago. I got it started but ended up (as I often do with seeds) killing it. She had given me the seeds because she knew I loved the color of lavender. After your Hub maybe I'll try again.
RN4081 thanks for taking a look and for commenting.
I also am a migraine sufferer and insomniac, lucky I love the scent of lavender as its a staple in my home.
regards Zsuzsy
Ashley Joy! Sorry I missed your comment from two weeks ago. I was in the same boat a few years back before I moved here to my home here. I started off a bunch of plantlets from the original Lavender then just before moving the main root stock I prepared its new home so the only time the root was out of the ground was no more then an hour. It survived and is a happy big mama plant now.
I also have a few lavender recipes that I will share soon.
Thanks for coming for a visit.
regards Zsuzsy
I love lavender. I use lavender oil for my migraines. You've inspired me to plant some today, so I can enjoy the smell when I don't have a headache. Thanks for this great hub!
I have to admit I got my first lavendar plant over 3 years ago and just put it in the ground. It took off well on its own so I would say that it is hardy.
I am moving though and want to propagate as many starters I can from it and get them started before I try and dig up my oringinal and move it.
I also found a recipe for lavendar cookies and they are really amazing!
Yes yes gladly Zsuzsy... :-) I want a cup of lavender tea please!
It is my most favorite scent of all. I'm dreaming of being out in my garden playing with my plants.
Glad you came for a visit Michelle, do you have time for a cup of Tea? Lavender infused tea that is...
regards Zsuzsy
I love the smell of lavender. :-) ANd now I am learning how to grow one too. Wow!
Athlyn Glad you came by. I add lavender buds to icing sugar similarily as some do with vanilla. It makes for a nice change when its sprinkled on a plain cake or cookies.
I can honestly say that lavender is my all time favorite and the most versatile herb ever.
regards Zsuzsy
Hi Susybee,
I too have fallen in love with lavender. There's nothing nicer than brewing a pot of black or green tea and dropping in some culinary lavender buds. I also add the buds to sugar and it's just heavenly.
This summer, we had a chance to attend a lavender festival and that was a treat. We sampled lavender infused whipped cream and lavender shortbread.
I've written some lavender articles, as well. It's such a versatile plant.
Thanks! Yes, it does help a great deal. I wasn't sure if this was something you should do at certain stages or not. I mean I was a little concerned that mine might be too big to do this, but now I see that it's probably the best time. :) Thanks again!
Pam! Glad you came by. You can split the lavender clump by cutting it down in the center with a very sharp spade but BUT the lavender has to be big and strong. It doesn't like to be moved too much once its established. Also prapare the new spot in much the same way as if its a new little plantlet. The new spot should have the same types of soil sun exposure etc. as its original space. If the lavender is over 5 years old and really woody I don't like to move mine as its really iffy.
Hope this helps good luck
regards Zsuzsy
Ah, lavender is my favorite too! And I'm testimony to the fact that they are easily kept alive if you put them in the right place. ;) I bought a small lavender plant (about 3") two summers ago, and it's at least 10 times that size now, and I haven't done anything to it. I think I should baby it some now, and you've given some excellent advice.
I'm bookmarking this page so I'll know what to do to keep it happy. One question...I read somewhere that you can split the large plants and separate them. Do you know anything about how to do this? I think that should probably be my next move.
Great job!
CGull! Lavender definitely attract butterflys and if planted near roses it helps with aphids as they do not like lavender. I'm not sure about the moths though but I will find out and let you know. (I have a friend who is a horticulturist she will know)
thanks for taking a look regards Zsuzsy
Zsuzsy, excellent hub, this is a life saver for me. I always wanted to grow Lavender but I was postponing it. I am definitely going to buy it and try the potting method. If it helps butterflies I will be very happy. I also heard it drives away moths and insects from rose plants nearby, I am not sure if it is true or not.
I've had no problems with keeping my bulbs safe for three years in a row before I was buying new ones every season. I was talking to a fellow gardener last week and I mentioned that I had written in my hub about lavender safegarding the bulbs. She told me that she saves everybit of her prunnings and the remaining stems etc after the lavender has been dried and she digs it under (very shallowly just so that the wind can't carry it away) all around her veggie garden and it has deterred the rabbits from walking away with her carrots etc. I will try but it probably will take a couple of seasons before I have enough to go all around my two veggie patches so we shall see. I'll will keep reporting any new ideas.
Thanks RGraph for coming for a visit regards Zsuzsy
I did not know about it repelling some of the rodents. Thank you. I'll make sure I have some around my bulbs next time.
Thanks Sweetie Pie for taking a look and for commenting. I have a couple of lavender hubs in the works but I could write one about my Lavender lotion too. give me a week or two and I will have it here for you.
take care regards Zsuzsy
My mom still grows lavendar every year and it smell fragrant. If you have not made a hub about it yet, but I was wondering if you could create one on how to make natural lavendar lotion. That would be pretty useful and searched for I believe.
DarleneMarie! Glad you stopped by. regards Zsuzsy
I LOVE the aroma of Lavendar..thanks for the tips for growing it! :)
MJoyce! Thanks for taking a look and for commenting. Glad you enjoyed the hub.
kindest regards Zsuzsy
I enjoy reading this hub, and I love lavender as a freshener too and for aromatheraphy. thanks for sharing this hub with us.
Claudia glad you came for a visit. If you go to the nursery ask them there what kinds of Lavender plantlets they have. Some times they have some hybrids that are more shade resistant. I have only grown a few kinds... and they're best for outside planting. Good luck
regards Zsuzsy
I was very glad to see this hub since I'm already thinking of spring and what plants to start growing in my little balcony "garden". It is less than a year since I came to this new land and I am not yet used to the climate and plants that grow well here. Unfortunately I see lavender grows in sunny places and my balcony is in the shade. Well, I'll have to find some plants that would like to grow and bloom in my balcony and find another place for the lavender.
Countrywomen! Thanks for taking a look. I use lavender in a lot of places in my home; in my pillow, my laundry, some desserts, carpet freshener and lots more. I have a hub in the works about it almost ready.
Take care
regards Zsuzsy
Robie! Did You have good holidays? Always glad when you come for a visit. I have no problems growing it outside but I can't keep lavender going in pots inside they eventually dry out and die a painful death. I have quite a few of them on my concience. I keep trying although I know the sad end.
regards Zsuzsy
Thanks for this hub Zsuzsy. I love lavender and now I can grow it too. I have a lavender spray that I use on my pillow which lets me leap into deep sleep..hehe
I love lavender too-- usually keep it in pots these days. Used to have some in my garden but I can see that I didn't care for it properly now-- thanks for all the info Zsuzsy
Thanks for taking a look Princessa! One of the top items on my still to do list is to visit a lavender field in your neck of the woods. I can imagine heaven to have miles miles of lavender fields scented just so heavenly.
regards Zsuzsy
I love lavender, like you say it attracts some beautiful wild life like birds, butterflies and bees when in full flowering. We have loads in our garden by plain acident nothing to do with me! We like to cut the flowers to make bouquets which we put around in the house. We also dry some of it and mix it with dry roses. I also like burning the dry branches in the chimney during the winter it perfumes the whole house!
Here, Lavender is also used in many recipes like strawberry and lavender ice cream and apple and lavender jam. A very versatile and easy to take care of plant.
Good luck and long grow to your future lavender hedge :)
Thanks Isabella for alerting me about the MIA comment capsule. I have no idea why it walked-off.... maybe it doesn't like lavender, lavendula or which ever way its spelled it's fabulous stuff
Thanks for coming by kindest regards Zsuzsy
Aha! Here it is! Great hub, i love lavendar. I always get confused as to how to spell it though... I have the same problem with calendar. ;-)
Zsuzsy Bee Hub Author 6 months ago
Kris Heeter, thank you for taking a look and for commenting. There is nothing more relaxing than sipping on a lavender cuppa' when its cold and damp outside. It brings back the scents of summer...
regards Zsuzsy