Growing Lavender Plant Types In The Best Conditions And How To Use Them
Lavender grows wild in the Mediterranean because of the climate and sunny skies. As long as lavender has sun to enjoy it does not mind having less than ideal soil conditions. In fact, in its natural habitat it tends to grow in soil that is rocky and dry. It loves these conditions but will tolerate just about any type of soil and it will also tolerate wet weather as long as the roots stay drained. Lavender grows just about anywhere on the earth. It is grown as a cash crop in France to make perfumes and in England, where it is generally gloomy and wet, it happily grows in gardens. England is a far cry from the Mediterranean in climate yet the plant still allows us to enjoy its beautiful scent all over the world. The best ways of growing lavender plant varieties is not hard at all.
Lavender will grow the best in warm weather, in well drained soil and it loves full sun. Some varieties of lavender are very cold tolerant and will go dormant in the winter to come back even larger in the spring. Lavender is drought resistant and will grow with a minimum of water. It is the type of plant that you let go in the garden and do not have to do much with it. It will bloom whether you deadhead the blooms or not.
The only condition that will certainly harm lavender is to have its roots wet. Always plant lavender in an area where the soil drains well and quickly. If you see puddles around the roots you should probably move the plants somewhere else. It also does not appreciate crowding in a humid climate. It does not mind humidity but space the plants with an empty spot the size of a full grown plant between. If you do not the leaves may be afflicted with mold. In the winter it is wise to put a mulch over the roots and tie the plant up with burlap to protect it from any cold windy weather.
Growing lavender from seed is almost impossible unless you have a greenhouse and a great deal of knowledge. Purchase lavender plants instead. You will see when you remove the plant from the pot that the roots are very large and can sometimes exceed the size of the plant. This is just the way lavender grows. Make sure to dig the hole a few inches larger than the roots and then spread them before covering with more dirt. It is a great idea to place a handful of manure and bone meal in the hole before putting the plant into the ground.
Plants that have been over wintered will start to get green and actually put forth flowers early in the spring once the weather gets warm. You will get a great deal more flowers if you cut the spring growth back. Some types of lavender produce very long stems up to a foot long while others may only have a tiny stem of about three inches. Some lavender plants have flowers that come in white or blue but most are different hues of purple.
When you cut the flowers from a long stem plant cut about one third of the height. When you cut the smaller stem flowers cut to the new growth. If by the middle of June you see an area in the plant that is not greening up you can cut that area out, but wait until the middle to end of June before you do. You might be surprised and it will start to grow again. Cut the flowers at any time and if you want to prune the plant back to keep its shape do it in the spring and at the end of summer so the plant has time to recover before winter sets in.
Lavender can be planted in the ground or in containers. If you live in a shady area this might be the best thing to do an you can move the plant to the sun whenever it gets in the shade. Even though the root system is rather extensive it likes to be retained in a tight area. Get a pot that is a couple inches larger than the root ball of the plant. Make sure the pot drains very well by putting gravel in the bottom. Only water when the soil is dry.
There are hardy lavender varieties and ones that are not suitable for cold weather and hard conditions. There are some types of lavender that have a stronger scent than others. Lavender can be woven into wreaths or the oil can be extracted in order to make perfume. Lavender can grow into hedges in some climates and make great borders for the garden. Make sure you get the variety of lavender that will be the best for you and what you want to do with it. If you just want it to look pretty in your garden that is fine, but there are so many things you can do with this herb you will want to try all of them.
Tony Stevens is an herb gardening enthusiast who has grown herbs for many years and enjoys helping others get started in this amazing activity. For more great information on Growing Lavander Plant. His essential ebook, ”The Secrets Of Herb Gardening”, teaches newby herb gardeners everything they need to know and get started.