LAVENDER

Lavender

Lavender is without doubt one of the most popular of all hardy shrubs, and why not? Tolerant of drought, heat, poor soils and most pests and diseases, not only does will lavender flower its heart out, it is a fantastic source of nectar for pollinating insects! However, you can't just plant lavender anywhere and they can easily be killed by too much kindness.

So, just how do you successfully plant lavender?

Lavender

Lavender is a genus of 39 species of flowering plants that are native to Africa, the Mediterranean, South-West Asia, Arabia, Western Iran and South-East India. And this is important because knowing where lavender comes from will allow you to - at least in part - mimic the conditions that they have evolved to survive.

Lavenders flourish best in dry, well-drained, sandy or gravelly soils in full sun. All lavender species need little or no fertilizer and good air circulation. This is particularly important in areas of high humidity as root rot due to fungus infection can be a problem. Avoid organic mulches as this can trap moisture around the plants' bases, again encouraging root rot. Instead, use pea gravel, decomposed granite, or sand instead.

If the flowers are used for drying, pick the blooms when they are showing colour but before they are fully open. Cut the whole flower stalks and hang these, tied in bunches in a cool dry airy position.

Pruning

Lavender - http://plant-passion.typepad.com/

Remove the dead flower stems as they arise and cut back hard straggly plants in August as this will encourage new growth from the base. A light trim to help shape more formal plants can be undertaken in late March or April.

Unfortunately Lavenders will tend to grow leggy with age and if left to their own devices may need to be discarded or replaced after 5 or 6 years.

Pests

When kept in sunny, well-drained conditions lavender are relatively pest and disease resistant. Be that as it may they do tend to be prone to infestations of froghopper larvae commonly known as cuckoo spit. Froghopper larvae can be controlled with an application of a systemic insecticide, or knocked away from the plant with a jet of water.

For related articles click onto the following links:
GROW LAVENDER SEED
HOW TO CONTROL CUCKOO SPIT ON LAVENDER
HOW TO GROW EUCRYPHIA X NYMANSENSIS 'Nymansay'
How to grow Isoplexis canariensis
HOW TO GROW LAVENDER
HOW TO GROW LAVENDER FROM SEED
MEXICAN ORANGE BLOSSOM - Choisya ternata
RHS: Lavender
THE MARLBOROUGH ROCK DAISY - Pachystegia insignis
WHEN AND HOW SHOULD YOU PRUNE BACK LAVENDER?
WHEN TO PLANT LAVENDER?
WHY HAS MY LAVENDER DIED?
WHY HAS MY LAVENDER TURNED WOODY?