An herb appreciate for its soothing fragrance , dainty purplish prime , and medicative properties , lavender is a evenhandedly low - criminal maintenance plant but does have some specific needs to thrive .
“ It ’s not very different from a lot of other plants , ” suppose Elizabeth Inman , an expert grower of lavender and owner of Purple Adobe Lavender Farm in Abiquiu , New Mexico . “ In many case , it needs less dirt and requires a lot less fussing over . You do n’t have to spend a good deal of time in your garden with it . That ’s the looker of lavender . ”
Selecting a variety of lavender
More than 45 species of lavender are recognize by the United States Lavender Growers Association and are broken up into 450 varieties .
“ [ Different lavender varieties ] grow in different zone , farm dissimilar efflorescence , and are dependable for different thing , ” said Inman , who uprise 14 unlike varieties of lavender . “ There are certain varieties that are good for distilling , for botanic use , or for culinary use . Others are unspoiled for wedding party bouquets and cunning . It ’s good to know upfront what you desire to do with it , then find the variety . ”
sealed varieties of lavender will only flourish in certainplant hardiness zones , and within those zones , certain climates . For exemplar , English lavender variety tend to be more large-minded of moisture than French lavender multifariousness , Inman said .
The U.S. Lavender Growers Association providesan online listof some of the most common lavender varieties and divides them by propose uses : landscaping , dry out bud , culinary buds , crafting , brisk cut , and essential oil .
In the Northeast , Marie Kirven grows five different varieties of lavender at her Sweet Dreams Lavender Farm in St. Albans , Maine . These varieties — with the common name calling of Grosso , Seal , Provence , Twinkle Purple , and True English — uprise relatively well in her state ’s cold and often damp climate . However , these varieties differ greatly and what they are well used for so she can make a full potpourri of product , including Georgia home boy , rock oil , perfumed pillows , teas , bathtub salts , and consistency gunpowder .
A just room of ensure you ’ve selected a variety that ’s right for your region and intended use is by purchasing your lavender plants from a local baby’s room .
Tips to help Lavender thrive
Lavender is a plant life that require in force drainage and good deal of sun , tell Inman , who of late author grow Your Lavender Garden : Book One , released in 2018 .
Water lavender sparingly
“ It ’s not difficult to grow lavender , ” Inman say , “ but there are a few specific thing lavender demand in Holy Order to be successful . ” Lavender grow in force in full Dominicus ( at least 6 hour a Clarence Day ) and should be water meagerly . In fact , managing moisture can be one of the biggest challenge lavender gardeners face . Too much moisture on the flora or in the grime can cause the lavender to rot and decease . Because of this , in humid realm , such as the Southeast , lavender can be difficult to grow , Inman say .
To battle this job in Maine , Kirven places white sand underneath her lavender plants . The sand reflects the Sunday and helps dry dew and rain from the flora ’s woody stems . Other gardener employ shells or light - colored endocarp .
Lavender needs drainage
In addition , lavender is often maturate on mound orraised garden bedsso body of water can drain aside from the plant . And to increase drain , some lavender agriculturalist add small pear-shaped rocks to the hill of soil in which they develop their plants . “ You have to keep them high and wry , ” Kirven say .
Organic matter and soil pH are critical
When you ’re ready to set your lavender , Sunshine Lavender Farm in North Carolina suggests adding a intermixture ofbone repast , lime andcompostinto the bottom of the maw before inserting the plant life . Lavender expand in dirt that has aneutral pH or is slimly alkaline . Your lavender plants should be space far enough apart for aura flow between the plants when they reach maturity . dissimilar varieties grow to unlike heights and widths , from 1 to 5 foundation .
When you irrigate your lavender , Inman indicate watering the plant life at its base , not overhead , which could flatten out and damage the plant ’s foresighted stems .
How to prune lavender
Each class , lavender should be pruned to maintain its circular shape and stick productive . “ One thing people wo n’t do is cut back their lavender , as many times as I ’ve told them , ” said Kirven . “ If you do n’t , they become so leggy and the moisture gets in . In a twosome old age [ if you do n’t prune your plant ] , you ’re going to see them dying off . So cut them back . Give them a haircut . ”
The best fourth dimension to prune lavender is in fall or winter , look on the plant hardiness zona you live in . It can also be pruned before it displays new growth just prior to the start of the grow season . turn off about ⅓ of the plant ’s foliage , which should exit about 2 - 3 inches of soft green ontogenesis . Do not cut into the woody part .
Aperennial plant , lavender should do delicately in the winter deed over you pick out a diversity for your works hardiness zone . In the coldest part of the country , snow acts as a natural insulator , keeping the plant at a fair consistent temperature until natural spring .
