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.
Where does English lavender grow best?
full sun
English Lavender (Lavandula angustifolias) thrives in full sun, well-drained soil with a pH of 6.5-7.5. Grow in full sun. Climates suitable for lavender range from zones 5 to 10 on the USDA hardiness scale. It does not perform well in wet or water-logged soils.
Can you plant English lavender in the ground?
Plant lavender in spring, once all chances of frost have passed. This beautiful, fragrant herb is a great addition to raised beds, in-ground gardens, and growing in containers. Space lavender plants 12 to 18 inches apart in an area with plenty of sunlight and sandy, well-drained soil with a pH of 6.7 to 7.3.
Does English lavender come back every year?
Lavender does come back after Winter if they are planted in the appropriate climate. French and Spanish lavenders are not cold hardy and may not come back after a cold Winter with freezing temperatures whereas English lavender can tolerate cold climates and grow again in the Spring.
Will English lavender spread?
It can spread up to 1-5 feet in its lifetime. That is, English lavenders can live up to 15 years. That means its spreading rate is low. To ensure minimal spread, prune the seed-bearing flowers in late summer.
How long does it take for English lavender to grow?
Lavender may bloom its first year, but it takes three years for plants to mature. Then you will have plenty of blooms to harvest for various uses. Harvest spikes of mature plants as soon as they bloom. Cut just above the leaves.
Does English lavender grow fast?
Lavender is a slow grower and may take one to three months to reach transplanting size. The greatest threat to lavender seeds and seedlings is fungus. Keep soil mix moist, but provide good air circulation to help reduce disease outbreaks.
Where should I not plant lavender?
Because lavender loves full sun and dry conditions, it doesn’t do well with perennials or annuals that prefer shade. Plants such as some types of impatiens, hosta, camellias and fuschia are not as drought-resistant, so their need for water may drown out lavender.
What month should lavender be planted?
Planting Time: In areas colder than Zone 6 (Zone 6-1), we recommend planting in spring or early summer. In areas warmer than zone 6 (7-10), we recommend planting in early fall so the roots can get established during the cool, moist winter weather.
What month is best to plant lavender?
The best time to plant Lavender is during the early spring during the months of April and May. This gives the plant time to establish so it can grow successfully during summer. The soil also naturally warms up during this time.
What is the lifespan of English lavender?
English lavender, Lavandula angustifolia, is native not to England but to mountainous areas of southern Europe. It is the hardiest, although fairly short-lived, and must be replaced after 3-5 years.
What do you do with English lavender in the winter?
To help lavender survive: Move containers to a sheltered spot over winter, so they aren’t exposed to really harsh weather. Give them some protection from winter rain by standing them in the lee of a wall (at the base) or in a coldframe or greenhouse.
What is the difference between lavender and English lavender?
Both lavender varieties have a lovely scent, but to a well trained nose, it’s easy to spot the difference. English lavender is much lighter and sweeter than French lavender because it has less camphor, a chemical with a piney, woody scent.
Should English lavender be cut back?
The first is English Lavender, lavandula angustifolia. It’s quite hardy and can be cut back by two thirds of the shrubs size. Ideally right after first bloom in the summer so that it has time to regrow before frost. Often pruning at this time will stimulate the plants to bloom again in the fall.
How do I make my English lavender bushy?
Tackle pruning new lavender during the summer, after the plant has flowered. At this early stage, pruning is about encouraging new growth, and developing a nice mounded shape. If you have grown the lavender from seed or cuttings, then it is beneficial to pinch out new growth tips to help the plant become bushy.
Should English lavender be deadheaded?
Proper pruning and deadheading of lavender plants will increase your harvest of flower spikes for dried flowers and make your plants more beautiful and healthy. Lavender benefits greatly from being pruned in mid-spring and deadheaded in the summer.
What month does English lavender bloom?
Late Spring and Early Summer Blooming Lavenders
Most mid-season blooming Lavenders belong to the Lavandula angustifolia (English Lavender) group. Flowering typically occurs in June or July and tends to last 3-4 weeks.
How do I prepare my soil for lavender?
Summary: Points you should consider when preparing soil include:
- Avoid pulverizing the soil and turning macropores into smaller pores.
- Never work the soil when it is wet.
- Use amendments such as compost, wood chips, bark mulch, etc.
- Use organic matter that is somewhat coarse.
Can I cut lavender back to the ground?
Never cut them back, hoping to stimulate new growth. The plant cannot produce new growth from the woody parts. When you’re pruning woody lavender plants, it’s also a good idea not to prune all of the plant at the same time. Instead, work slowly, trimming back each branch, but never cutting into the brown wood.
Is lavender poisonous to dogs?
First of all, the ASPCA considers lavender to be toxic to dogs (as well as cats and horses). If ingested, the plant can cause nausea, vomiting, and inappetence. These symptoms can be traced to a single dangerous component known as linalool.
Does lavender repel spiders?
Whether in plant form or as an essential oil, lavender (Lavandula, USDA plant hardiness zones 5-9) is a completely natural spider repellent useful for indoors or outdoors. Whip up your own homemade spider spray with lavender oil and water and then spray the oil in the areas you see the spiders most often.