Lavender might be a Mediterranean plant, but it grows readily in many climates, including our rather rainy island of Great Britain. It makes a great year-round border plant, with foliage that stays green all winter and a show of spectacular purple flowers in the summer.
If you’re looking to plant some lavender in your garden, then here are some top tips for you.
- Time it right. As soon as we’re clear of frost, it’s time to plant your lavender plants to give them the best chance of success. Early planting (March or April) will give your plants a full summer to establish themselves, giving them the best chance of overwintering well.
- Choose a sunny location. Lavender requires a lot of sun to thrive, so pick a spot in your garden that receives at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight per day.
- Prepare the soil. Lavender prefers well-drained soil with a neutral pH between 6.5 and 7.5. If your soil is heavy or has poor drainage, mix in some sand or gravel to improve drainage. If your soil is acidic you can add lime to rebalance the pH.
- Space the plants properly. Lavender plants should be spaced about 30cm apart to allow for good air circulation and prevent overcrowding.
- Water regularly at first. While lavender is drought-tolerant, it’s important to keep the soil evenly moist during the first few weeks after planting to help the roots establish. After that, you can cut back on watering and let the soil dry out between watering sessions.
- Plant them in deep soil. Lavender has a long root, and so make sure there’s a depth of at least 18 inches where you’ve chosen to plant.
- Weed regularly. Lavender can easily become overrun (and therefore more prone to rot) by native wildflowers (aka weeds) so make sure you keep weeds down, either by adding a layer of bark or other topping material, or by trimming or mowing them back.
- Prune annually. Cut back about one-third of the plant’s growth each year, taking care not to cut into old wood. We do this in September after flowering and before frosts. This will encourage new growth and help maintain the plant’s shape.
Meanwhile, if you can’t wait for that beautiful lavender scent, then why not cheat with one of our pillow sprays? The Calming Lavender scent is beautiful, long-lasting and will transport you straight to the lavender fields.
A version of this post first appeared in our April 2023 newsletter.