Lavandula Species, English Lavender, True Lavender

On Sep 2, 2009, PedricksCorner from Freedom, CA (Zone 9b) wrote:

My English Lavender grows like crazy every year. Ten years ago it was just a little four inch potted herb. It is now five feet across and I have had to prune it severly several times in the last ten years. Although lavender is a drought tolerant plant, mine gets fertilized as often as the rest of the garden and when it is blooming, I keep it watered. So mine gets a far denser mass of blooms than it would otherwise. After I cut all of the first bloom off, I continue to keep it watered and fed while the weather is still warm because it will continue to put out new flower spikes. Never as much as the first time of the year, but the bees certainly appreciate it's continued offerings.

On Apr 13, 2009, zone3gardener from Ely, MN wrote:

I am in northern MN and have had great success with my lavender. My trick is to border my plants with rocks twice the size of my fist. The rocks store heat and keep my plants happy in the evening.

On Oct 20, 2006, DebinSC from Georgetown, SC (Zone 8a) wrote:

I have this in a clay pot in a location that gets morning and mid-day sun (z8). Was a slow starter but has really come on in size this summer (it's 2nd). Very full. Only bloomed modestly but I'm hopeful for next year. Over wintered just fine outdoors in the pot with some mulch. Very, very little water required.

On Jun 16, 2006, Pashta from Moncks Corner, SC (Zone 8b) wrote:

I have 5 small plants in my front yard by my house which receive full sun all day long. They seem to be doing very well, growing at a modest rate. I am concerned that they might get too much water because we get alot of rain, but the drainage is good, so I will just have to keep my eye on them.

On Apr 27, 2005, nevadagdn from Sparks, NV (Zone 7a) wrote:

In Nevada, lavender requires additional water. I learned the hard way. It still needs good drainage, but it needs lawn-quantity water here, too.

On Apr 2, 2005, janders from Rockwall, TX wrote:

Haven't had much success with this two year old plant. Very finicky watering needs, do not overwater. Foliage has not died back, but has not grown much bigger since I got it. Finally got a few flowers out of it last summer, hopefully it will do more this year. May not be very suitable for North TX, have had more success with the Spanish variety. UPDATE: Finally got a LOT of flowers out of it this year. My plant is 3 yrs old. Took a while to get established but it is very dainty and pretty now. Patience paid off!!

On May 18, 2004, eberney from Knoxville, TN (Zone 7a) wrote:

I have 3 types of Lavender in my garden. Of the three, this is the most beautiful. It drapes wonderfully over my raised bed. Its smell is lovely. It needs little care, though does best when harvested after flowering. Flowers more than once a season if deadheaded. Needs watering only in drought. Great plant!

On Jun 9, 2003, MichaelE wrote:

I live in Northern VA and this plant does GREAT outdoors in a mostly sunny spot. This is the second year we have had the plant (actually 4 of them) and they have great curb appeal, smell terrific and do attract bees. Does anyone know if there are guidelines for pruning these shrubs, such as best time of year, where to cut on the plant, etc? They have grown significantly in just the 2 years and we may need to prune or relocate some of the plants. Thanks

On Jan 26, 2003, aileen wrote:

I grow English Lavender, Munstead, and Hidcote Blue. I propogate all by layering. In fact, when planting a new bed, I layer each plant at the very beginning, particularly the Hidcote Blue. I hold each one down with a very large hairclip that keeps the stem in contact with the soil. In this fashion, tiny plants started from seed will go further, as well as purchased plants. They do amazingly well with layering.

I also use layering to replant the middle section of a field which has a tendency to die off. I pull out the middle section and then re-lay towards centre the outside plants. They happily and quickly fill in the missing centre.

On Jan 26, 2003, aileen wrote:

I grow English Lavender, Munstead, and Hidcote Blue. I propogate all by layering. In fact, when planting a new bed, I layer each plant at the very beginning, particularly the Hidcote Blue. I hold each one down with a very large hairclip that keeps the stem in contact with the soil. In this fashion, tiny plants started from seed will go further, as well as purchased plants. They do amazingly well with layering.

I also use layering to replant the middle section of a field which has a tendency to die off. I pull out the middle section and then re-lay towards centre the outside plants. They happily and quickly fill in the missing centre.

On Jan 26, 2003, aileen wrote:

I grow English Lavender, Munstead, and Hidcote Blue. I propogate all by layering. In fact, when planting a new bed, I layer each plant at the very beginning, particularly the Hidcote Blue. I hold each one down with a very large hairclip that keeps the stem in contact with the soil. In this fashion, tiny plants started from seed will go further, as well as purchased plants. They do amazingly well with layering.

I also use layering to replant the middle section of a field which has a tendency to die off. I pull out the middle section and then re-lay towards centre the outside plants. They happily and quickly fill in the missing centre.

On Jan 26, 2003, aileen wrote:

I grow English Lavender, Munstead, and Hidcote Blue. I propogate all by layering. In fact, when planting a new bed, I layer each plant at the very beginning, particularly the Hidcote Blue. I hold each one down with a very large hairclip that keeps the stem in contact with the soil. In this fashion, tiny plants started from seed will go further, as well as purchased plants. They do amazingly well with layering.

I also use layering to replant the middle section of a field which has a tendency to die off. I pull out the middle section and then re-lay towards centre the outside plants. They happily and quickly fill in the missing centre.

On Jan 26, 2003, aileen wrote:

I grow English Lavender, Munstead, and Hidcote Blue. I propogate all by layering. In fact, when planting a new bed, I layer each plant at the very beginning, particularly the Hidcote Blue. I hold each one down with a very large hairclip that keeps the stem in contact with the soil. In this fashion, tiny plants started from seed will go further, as well as purchased plants. They do amazingly well with layering.

I also use layering to replant the middle section of a field which has a tendency to die off. I pull out the middle section and then re-lay towards centre the outside plants. They happily and quickly fill in the missing centre.

On Aug 8, 2002, haighr from Laurel, DE (Zone 7a) wrote:

I love to cut this and hang upside down and use to make floral swags. Also use a lot wrapped with pine cones dipped in wax as wonderful hearth accents to later be used as fire starters.