Homily Magazine

Lavender grows wild in the Mediterranean because of the climate and sunny skies. As long as lavender has sun to enjoy it does not mind having less than ideal soil conditions. In fact, in its natural habitat it tends to grow in soil that is rocky and dry. It loves these conditions but will tolerate just about any type of soil and it will also tolerate wet weather as long as the roots stay drained. Lavender grows just about anywhere on the earth. It is grown as a cash crop in France to make perfumes and in England, where it is generally gloomy and wet, it happily grows in gardens. England is a far cry from the Mediterranean in climate yet the plant still allows us to enjoy its beautiful scent all over the world. The best ways of growing lavender plant varieties is not hard at all.

Lavender will grow the best in warm weather, in well drained soil and it loves full sun. Some varieties of lavender are very cold tolerant and will go dormant in the winter to come back even larger in the spring. Lavender is drought resistant and will grow with a minimum of water. It is the type of plant that you let go in the garden and do not have to do much with it. It will bloom whether you deadhead the blooms or not.

Too much water is about the only thing that can kill a lavender plant. Avoid soggy or swampy areas in which to plant lavender because the roots will rot. Instead find an area up high in the yard where water drains away from the area. Living in humid weather presents a whole different problem to lavender so make sure to plant lavender plants far apart so their leaves do not get moldy. Plant with large spaces, about the size of another mature plant between them. If you live were the ground freezes and thaws make sure to mulch around the base of the plants to protect them then cover with burlap holding it up with stakes to protect the plants from cold winds.

It takes some time for a lavender plant to grow from a seed. It is more prudent to purchase an established plant to put in your garden. When you take the plant out of its growing pot you will notice an extensive root system that sometimes is larger than the plant itself. This is the growing habit of lavender. Dig a hole big enough to accommodate those roots and spread them before placing the plant into the ground. You may want to put a little bone meal and manure in the hole before you cover the roots with more soil.

Established plants will bloom in the spring and it is best to harvest the flowers in order to get another bunch of flowers in the summer months. Different varieties of lavender have different sized heads and stems. There are some that have stems that are 6 to 12 inches in height and then there are those that are a mere 3 inches. The flowering heads can be in many different colors from purple to white and blue.

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.

Not only can lavender grow in the ground but it is suitable to grow in containers. This is helpful for gardeners that may live in an area that does not get full sun all day. You can move the container around to get optimal sunshine. The roots of lavender are long and there are a lot of them but they love to be contained. This makes the plant grow happy as long as the roots stay dry. When you put lavender in a pot get one that is a few inches larger than the root ball. Place gravel for good drainage in the bottom of the pot and water it when the soil feels very dry.

Lavender comes in a variety of types and you can get some that will endure a major winter blast. There is lavender with tall stems and some with short and some lavender types are more known for the lovely smell of the flowers. If you have a project to make wreaths get a type that has big flowers. If you want to make something that smells good get a type that is popular because of the extreme scent it gives off. If you like the look of a hedge of lavender purchase plants that are fast growers. Take a good look at where you live and grow lavender plant types that are right for your climate. There are so many types you will be able to find just the right one for you.

Tony has been enthusiastic about Growing Lavander Plant for the last 12 years. He has got some great gardening techniques up his sleeves! For step-by-step instructions on how to successfully create your very own herb garden, download his exhaustive and powerful eBook, “The Secrets Of Herb Gardening”.