How to Grow Lavender

Lavender is one of the most widely cultivated plants. They have a long flowering period and are tough and easy, making them a best seller. With the ‘Mediterranean’ look being so popular they will no doubt remain a favourite for some time to come.

Most lavender used in the home garden belongs to one of two groups: the stoechas species known as Mediterranean lavenders or the angustifolia species, known as English or Spica lavenders. There are a few lavenders that belong to neither group such as pinnata, pedunculata and dentata or French lavender. English lavenders are best for small border edges, stoechas for medium sized hedge and the dentata for a tall hedge or background. Palmers handy tip: Lavenders are ideal in containers, for the flower border or used for a hedge. Lavenders also look stunning as standards for a more formal look.

Planting Lavender

Lavender is very easy to grow when given the conditions it enjoys. Lavender prefers full sunlight – so plant where it will receive light for the majority of the day. Lavenders do not tolerate waterlogged environments; they need a well-drained site to develop into healthy plants. Restrict watering your lavender plants to the hot summer months. Sand can be added to improve drainage or planting on a mound will help. Alternatively plant in containers and position around the garden or deck. Lavenders can be planted at any time, as long as the roots are kept moist while the plant is establishing. Palmers handy tip: Bees love lavender flowers and when visiting they will also pollinate other plants in your garden. The best thing you can do to help save the kiwi bees is to plant more lavender!

Pruning Lavender

To ensure that plants are kept bushy and to promote flowering, it is essential to prune lavenders regularly. It also prevents the plant becoming ‘woody’. Lavenders are best trimmed and pruned after flowering has finished, with a main annual cut back in summer so that new growth has time to harden off before winter. Remove the spent lower spikes and trim to shape. Prune back by a third as soon as they finish flowering to encourage new growth.

Fertilising Lavender

Place a slow release fertiliser in the hole when initially planting the lavender. Feed with an all-purpose fertiliser in early spring and again in late summer.

Pests and diseases

Lavender suffers from few pests or diseases although root-rot is a common health problem. This can be prevented by improving the drainage situation. The Spittle Bug is one of the few insects that take to the lavender plant. It is often found in early summer and although the foamy spots look unsightly, they cause no real damage. The Spittle Bug can be hosed off with a strong stream from a hose or even removed by hand. The Garden Weevil chews at the stems of the mature heads of the lavender, resulting in the heads becoming withered. The Garden Weevil is extremely difficult to manage organically and therefore a contact pesticide is suggested, however pyrethrum oil may reduce the effects.

Variety	Approx. height	Approx. spread	Colour	Flowering period	Type
Lavendula angustifolia	1m	1m	Purple/blue	Spring to summer	English
Lavendula ang. munstead	40-60cm	40-60cm	Purple/blue	Spring to summer	English
Lavendula ang. hidcote	30-40cm	30-40cm	Dark purple	Spring to summer	English
Lavendula ang. rosea	70-80cm	70-80cm	Pale pink	Spring to summer	English
Lavendula ang. lavender lady	25-35cm	25-35cm	Lavender blue	Spring to summer	English
Lavendula ang. foveaux storm	40-60cm	40-60cm	Rich velvet purple	Spring to summer	English
Lavendula dentata	1.2m	1.2m	Lavender mauve	All year	French
Lavendula dentata monet	60cm	60cm	Lavender blue	All year	French
Lavendula stoechas	50-80cm	80-100cm	Purple	Spring to mid summer	Mediteranean
Lavendula stoechas avonview	50cm	60cm	Deep violet purple	Spring to mid summer	Mediteranean
Lavendula stoechas butterfly	60cm	60cm	Lilac	Spring to mid summer	Mediteranean
Lavendula stoechas helmsdale	60cm	60cm	Dark plum/purple	Spring to mid summer	Mediteranean
Lavendula stoechas major	60cm	60cm	Deep purple	Spring to mid summer	Mediteranean
Lavendula stoechas marshwood	50cm	50cm	Pale purple	Spring to mid summer	Mediteranean
Lavendula pendunculata	60-80cm	80-100cm	Light purple	Spring to mid summer	Mediteranean
Lavendula pendunculata pippa	80cm	80cm	Purple	Spring to mid summer	Mediteranean
Lavendula pendunculata pukehou	1m	1m	Vibrant purple	Spring to mid summer	New Zealand
Lavendula pinnata sidonie	1.2m	1.2m	Vivid violet blue	All year
Lavendula with love	70-80cm	70-80cm	Clear pink	All year	New Zealand
Lavendula ruffles series	50-70cm	50-70cm	Various colours	Spring to summer	Australian
Lavendula winter lace series	80-100cm	80-100cm	Various colours	Winter to summer	Mediteranean
Lavendula the princess	70-80cm	70-80cm	Vivid deep pink	Spring to summer	Australian
Lavendula leigh series	various	various	Various colours	Spring to summer	New Zealand