How to Grow lavender

Would you like to know how to grow lavender? It really is easy once you understand the basics. Follow these simple tips and you are sure to have success.

Choosing a Lavender Type - Before you learn how to grow lavender, you may want to spend some time deciding which of the many lavender types you want to plant. Although your choices at the local home improvement store may be limited, a high quality nursery may have a better selection, and live lavender plants and seeds can be purchased online. There are several types of lavender and many cultivars within each type. Here are some examples of the most popular:

• Lavandula Angustifolia - Commonly called English lavender, includes some of the most popular varieties such as Hidcote and Munstead. Even within these are types that vary in bloom color from purple to pink. In general they are medium sized bushy plants that bloom in late spring to early summer. They are generally hardy and produce fragrant flowers.

• Lavandins - These are sterile hybrids between Lavandula Angustifolia and Lavandula Latifolia that include, Grosso, Provence, Hidcote White and Hidcote Giant. These varities are very hardy and are often grown for commercial essential oil production but are an excellent choice for a lavender garden or landscaping. They tend to be larger than the English Lavenders and bloom mid to late summer.

Choosing a plant - While lavender can be started from seed, it is much easier to start with a potted plant from a nursery. These plants have been started and nurtured in conditions that should have helped them develop a healthy root system. Look for a plant that has multiple branches extending from the base of the plant at the soil line. Check closely to make sure that it isn't several small plants in a single pot made to look like one bigger plant. Make sure the leaves are light green to a light grey, depending on the variety. If it has very many brown leaves the plant has been stressed and may not survive planting.

Choosing a location - When preparing to plant lavender, one of the most important decisions you will make is where you will locate your plant. Due to their extensive root systems mature lavenders do not transplant very easily, so choose the location carefully. The most important factor in lavender plant location is the amount of sunshine it receives. Lavender plants love the sun, and require lots of exposure. Some shade is acceptable, but avoid locations that are mostly shade. The second most important thing to look for in choosing a location is to avoid a low spot where runoff from rain storms tends to collect.

Preparing the soil - One of the most important things to understand when learning how to grow lavender is that the plant must have well drained soil. To accomplish this, dig a hole that is approximately 3 times the diameter of the root ball and twice as deep. Mix one part of your native soil with one part sand and one part rough compost. Adjust ratios as needed based on how much sand or clay is already in your native soil. If your soil is very acidic, you may need to add a little lime to increase the soils pH factor. As long as the pH is somewhere between 6.0 and 8.0, your plant should do fine.

Planting your Lavender - Start by filling the hole about halfway with the soil mixture. Add some slow release fertilizer such as organic bone meal. If the plant you purchased is in bloom, cut the blooms off to direct the growth energy to the roots. Remove the plant from the pot and place it in the center of the hole. An optional step at this time is to add root growth hormone around the root ball, which may come in either powdered or liquid form. This will promote root growth and give your plant a better chance at becoming established. Fill the remainder of the hole with the soil mixture, just covering the root ball and water thoroughly.

Caring for your Lavender Plant - One of the great things about lavender is that the plants are very low maintenance. Proper watering, fertilizing and pruning will keep you plant healthy for many years.

• Watering - Lavender grows wild in several Mediterranean countries in areas that are generally arid. One of the most common mistakes people make when learning how to grow lavender is over-watering their plants. While lavender plants can withstand several days of rain that keeps them wet, they need to be able to dry out sufficiently between waterings. Water only when the soil around your plant is dry. Even in the driest locales, this will likely be no more than 2-3 times per week. Although they shouldn't be over-watered, Lavender plants do appreciate regular drinks of water. They can survive drought, but will thrive if they get just the right amount of water.

• Fertilizing - Lavender plants will typically survive in most soils without any fertilizing, but providing a little fertilizer a couple times per year will give them a boost. Use a slow release fertilizer such as organic bone meal or fish emulsion. This will give the plant the nutrients it needs without burning. Fertilize early in the spring as growth begins to promote bloom production. Repeat in late summer to ensure that the root system is healthy before it begins to slow its growth in preparation for going dormant in the winter.

• Pruning - It is important to prune your lavender plant every year. Failure to do so will result in the branches being unable to support their own weight. They will tend to lean to the ground leaving a gap in the middle of the plant. Pruning will also promote new growth from the base of the branches which will make them thicker and stronger. Using garden shears or scissors, cut back one third to one half of the length of the branches, but avoid cutting into the woody part. Prune the plant into a round ball shape and also remove any dead branches at this time. Pruning can be done in the fall before the plant goes dormant, or in the spring just as new growth begins.

As you can see from these simple tips, learning how to grow lavender is not difficult. Give it a try and you enjoy the rewards of your labor for years to come.

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