Lavender plants have a bad reputation for being difficult to grow. But, in fact, if a few cultural requirements are met, these fragrant flowers are easy to grow perennials as far north as USDA zone 4.
The use of lavender products for health and beauty has a long history reflected in the botanical name, Lavendula, from the Latin verb, lavare, ‘to wash’. Lavender is still used today to scent a range of toiletries, laundry soaps and air fresheners.
Lavender Plant Description
Lavender is a member of the mint family and native to subtropical regions in Northern Africa, Southern Europe and India. Lavandula angustifolia (once known as L. officinalis) is the native species, but is now available as many more cultivars that vary in size, colour and hardiness.
Lavender plants form fragrant grayish green mounds of narrow leaves growing along both sides of the mint family’s distinctive square stem. In early summer, the plants send up spikes of flowers that, depending on the cultivar, can be white, pink or purple.
The highly fragrant flowers attract honeybees and butterflies, but are known for deterring moths. The flowers are the part that contain the essential oils used in scented lavender products. Dried lavender flower spikes or packets of the dried flowers are often placed in closets and drawers to protect clothing from moth damage.
Cultivation of Lavender for Fragrant Flowers
Lavender is hardy from USDA zone 9 to zone 4 for some cultivars. According to Canadian Gardening Magazine, the English lavender plants (L. angustifolia) do better in northern zones, while the French (L. x intermedia or L. dentata) and Spanish (L. stoechas) varieties do well in southern zones.
Lavender plants growing in the correct hardiness zone have only two further requirements: lots of sun and plenty of drainage.
Lavender requires all day sun so the flowers can develop their full fragrance, eight hours of sunshine is preferable.
But the most important requirement is drainage. Lavender plants absolutely hate wet feet. This makes them good candidates for growing in raised beds or on hillsides, especially where rainfall is plentiful. Adding sand or compost to heavy soils can improved drainage and raise the planting mound above soil level, but lavender plants tend to flower better in thinner soil.
While lavender is somewhat drought resistant, regular watering is essential; just allow them to dry out before watering again.
In spring, after new growth has begun, prune away any dead or damaged branches. Lavender plants may be lightly pruned for shape either early in the year or after flowering.
If the flowers stalks are not harvested for drying or as a cut flower, cut the flower stalks back after the colour has faded. Some varieties will bloom again later in the summer.
Propagating Lavender Plants
Lavender plants are not candidates for division. The plants mature at two to three years and flowering begins to dwindle by their fifth year. New plants may be started with cutting from the mature bush.
Gardeners report varying degrees of success starting lavender from seed. Some cultivars appear to be more likely to germinate than others. In addition, lavender cross breeds readily so seeds that do germinate may not be true to type.
The most reliable way to maintain a cultivar is to buy lavender plants initially from a reputable grower and propagate new plants with cuttings.
Marianne Lepa - Marianne Lepa is a communications professional with extensive experience in technology and publishing. She is the founder of Arts News ...
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