Growing Lavender Plant Varieties In The Best Conditions And How To Use Them
Lavender comes to us from the Mediterranean are and loves sunny areas. It not picky about the the soil it grows in because it is used to a rather rocky soil and it also likes dry weather. It is interesting that it grows in the Mediterranean and in wet shady areas as well. You can find lavender growing almost all over the world. It is a crop in France and in England it grows all over the countryside and in country gardens even if the area is far from sunny and dry. Growing Lavender Plant varieties is relatively simple.
Lavender grows faster and more successfully when the weather is warm and sunny. There are varieties of this plant that do not do well in cold climates so make sure if you live in a zone where the weather gets cold to look for a variety that is more winter hardy. Most of the time these hardy types of lavender will go dormant during the winter and once spring comes you will see it start to turn green rather quickly. Lavender does not need to be tended to. Just plant it and let it go. It only needs to be pruned occasionally and even if you do not snip the flowers when they die back the plant will still produce more.
The only condition that will certainly harm lavender is to have its roots wet. Always plant lavender in an area where the soil drains well and quickly. If you see puddles around the roots you should probably move the plants somewhere else. It also does not appreciate crowding in a humid climate. It does not mind humidity but space the plants with an empty spot the size of a full grown plant between. If you do not the leaves may be afflicted with mold. In the winter it is wise to put a mulch over the roots and tie the plant up with burlap to protect it from any cold windy weather.
Growing lavender from seed is almost impossible unless you have a greenhouse and a great deal of knowledge. Purchase lavender plants instead. You will see when you remove the plant from the pot that the roots are very large and can sometimes exceed the size of the plant. This is just the way lavender grows. Make sure to dig the hole a few inches larger than the roots and then spread them before covering with more dirt. It is a great idea to place a handful of manure and bone meal in the hole before putting the plant into the ground.
Plants that have been over wintered will start to get green and actually put forth flowers early in the spring once the weather gets warm. You will get a great deal more flowers if you cut the spring growth back. Some types of lavender produce very long stems up to a foot long while others may only have a tiny stem of about three inches. Some lavender plants have flowers that come in white or blue but most are different hues of purple.
Both the flowers and leaves have lavender scent. You can cut a long stemmed plant to the end of the stem and the short stem varieties can be cut to the new growth on the plant. You can cut the entire plant back about one third of its height. You can air dry the flowers by hanging them upside down in a dry area in bunches and the leaves can be dried in a basket or paper bag. If you notice an area that is not greening up on an established plant wait until the middle of June before you cut it out. If it does not look better by then get rid of the area. Flowers can be cut at any time during the spring and summer and you can prune the plants in the spring and around August. This will give the lavender plant a little time to gain energy before it gets hit with the cold of winter.
Lavender can be planted in the ground or in containers. If you live in a shady area this might be the best thing to do an you can move the plant to the sun whenever it gets in the shade. Even though the root system is rather extensive it likes to be retained in a tight area. Get a pot that is a couple inches larger than the root ball of the plant. Make sure the pot drains very well by putting gravel in the bottom. Only water when the soil is dry.
There are hardy lavender varieties and ones that are not suitable for cold weather and hard conditions. There are some types of lavender that have a stronger scent than others. Lavender can be woven into wreaths or the oil can be extracted in order to make perfume. Lavender can grow into hedges in some climates and make great borders for the garden. Make sure you get the variety of lavender that will be the best for you and what you want to do with it. If you just want it to look pretty in your garden that is fine, but there are so many things you can do with this herb you will want to try all of them.
Learn more about Gardening With Herbs Tips. Stop by Tony Stevens’s site where you can find out all about Growing Lavander Plant and what it can do for you.