QA

Question: How To Grow English Lavender

These fragrant perennials are hardy in Zones 5 to 10 and have a sunny disposition. Give them a spot in full sun for best flowering. The plants prefer well-drained soil year-round, especially in winter. Poorly draining winter soils quickly kill English lavender.

How do you care for English lavender?

Choose a spot with a lot of light and excellent drainage. Add organic material to the soil, but not so much that the soil stays soggy when watered. Old English lavender responds poorly to humidity. Avoid watering: mulching is a good way to lessen the level of humidity.

Is English lavender easy to grow?

You can grow English lavender very easily as long as you provide it with the right soil and situation. It likes planting in a sunny place in free-draining soil with an alkaline pH (6.7-7.3). Because of this, you’ll often see it growing very happily in poor chalky soil.

Will English lavender spread?

How much is it likely to spread? Lavender is a small shrub that usually grows 20 to 24 inches tall and wide. The height includes the flower stalks, so when not in bloom, the foliage may be only a foot tall. The plant does not spread as thyme, oregano, and other herbs tend to.

Does English lavender come back every year?

Lavender is a Low-Maintenance Perennial And this beauty will come back to your garden every year, for about 3-5 years, so it’s a great investment. What is this? Before you make any plant purchases, however, I want to remind you to always choose plants that thrive in your plant hardiness zone.

Will English lavender survive winter?

As mentioned above, English lavender is winter-hardy to Zone 5 and may only need a bit of help in the form of a thin layer of straw. Otherwise, lavender shouldn’t need any extra care outdoors. Spanish and French lavenders, on the other hand, are only hardy to Zone 8, and will need to be brought indoors in colder areas.

Is English lavender low maintenance?

Once established, lavender is very low-maintenance, but should be pruned annually. Plants that aren’t pruned have a tendency to get woody and sprawl, leaving a hole in the middle. In Zone 7 and colder, pruning should be done after flowering in the spring. In Zones 8 and above, prune back after summer flowering.

How often should lavender be watered?

How to Care for Lavender Water once or twice a week after planting until plants are established. Water mature plants every two to three weeks until buds form, then once or twice weekly until harvest. In colder growing areas, plants may need extra winter protection.

What is the best time of year to plant lavender?

The best time to plant tender lavender is in spring, from March through to May. If you have heavy soil, improve drainage by adding horticultural grit to the planting hole before planting. Planting on a slight mound can also help prevent water-logging. Plant lavender at the same depth it was in its pot.

Where should I plant English lavender?

These fragrant perennials are hardy in Zones 5 to 10 and have a sunny disposition. Give them a spot in full sun for best flowering. The plants prefer well-drained soil year-round, especially in winter. Poorly draining winter soils quickly kill English lavender.

Is lavender toxic to dogs?

Lavender contains a small amount of a compound called linalool, which is toxic to both dogs and cats. Problems arise only if a dog ingests a very large quantity of lavender. Symptoms of lavender poisoning may include vomiting, inability to defecate, a swollen and tender abdomen, reduced appetite, and fever.

Is lavender a sun or shade?

Lavenders demand full sun, although afternoon shade may be appreciated in the hottest climates. Plants are very drought resistant once established, but will flower better if not allowed to dry out.

Is English lavender Evergreen?

Is English Lavender Evergreen? All lavender varieties are technically classed as evergreen, as in warmer climates they retain their grey-green foliage year round. This is perfectly normal and as the weather warms in late spring, your Lavender plant will once again become green with new shoots.

Does lavender spread quickly?

The lavender plant is a very popular plant that gives off gorgeous flowers. There are several varieties of lavender and while the colors usually vary, you should know that the growing process for most lavenders is essentially the same. Lavender, if you didn’t know, is a fast grower and is going to spread very quickly.

Should I deadhead lavender?

Position the lavender plants with plenty of space between them to encourage drying air circulation. Remove, or deadhead, spent blooms regularly for the entire blooming season. This prolongs the overall blooming duration and promotes bushier growth.

How do I prepare lavender for winter?

Prepare lavenders for winter by pruning them late summer or early fall, into a dense mound shape to increase resistance from hostile winter weather and to deflect snow. Clear away fallen leaves and decaying organic matter from around the lavenders as this will only encourage the disease root rot.