LAVENDER AS HEDGING PLANTS

Lavender as hedging plants - http://www.pinterest.com/pin/430586414345669776/

When you think of hedging plants most people will overlook lavender as a suitable candidate. However with its fragrant, crisp foliage and ornamental flowers lavender is ideal for both formal and informal hedges although formal hedges will require more clipping to keep in shape, which will also prevent flowering.

Lavender hedging plants

The lavender genus contains 28 species of evergreen shrubs. The following selection are the best for creating low-growing hedges:

Lavandula angustifolia
Lavandula nana atropurpurea
Lavandula officinalis
Lavandula spica
Lavandula spica 'Hidcote'
Lavandula vera
Lavandula stoechas

Note 1. Lavandula angustifolia, spica and officinalis are all pseudonyms for the same plant commonly known as Old English lavender'.

Note 2. Be aware that Lavenders spica 'Hidcote' and nana atropurpurea are also the same plant.

Note 3. Lavandula vera is generally considered to be just a more compact form of Lavandula spica

Lavender as hedging plants

Lavender hedges are best planted between April and May as the soil is warming up. They will thrive in any ordinary, well-drained soil in a sunny position. Set your plants 9-12 inches apart, or 19 inches apart for larger cultivars. They are even happy to grow in poor, chalky or alkaline soils.

On heavier soils lavender can be fairly short-lived and become woody at the base. To prolong the life of your lavender on heavy soils, dig in plenty of organic matter and gravel to improve the drainage. Whatever your soil type plant your lavender hedge on a ridge to keep the base of the plants out of wet soil.

Prune new hedges to remove any dead flowering stems and lightly trim the plants to shape over the summer. Established hedges should be clipped to shape during March or April.

Lavender hedges are relatively pest and disease free although you can be prone to cuckoo spit in the spring.

For related article click onto the following links:
GROW LAVENDER SEED
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How to Grow Abutilon 'Kentish Belle'
HOW TO CONTROL CUCKOO SPIT ON LAVENDER
How to Grow Cordyline australis
HOW TO GROW LAVENDER
HOW TO GROW LAVENDER FROM SEED
HOW TO GROW A LEYLANDII HEDGE
HOW TO PROPAGATE LAVENDER FROM CUTTINGS
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WHAT IS LAVENDER OIL?
WHEN AND HOW SHOULD YOU PRUNE BACK LAVENDER?
WHEN DO YOU CUT BACK A LEYLANDII HEDGE?
WHEN TO PLANT LAVENDER?
WHY HAS MY LAVENDER DIED?
WHY HAS MY LAVENDER TURNED WOODY?