One of the most recognised floral scents in the world; lavender is a hardy, drought tolerant, perennial flowering shrub that comes in a multitude of species and named cultivars.
The flowers come in so many shades of purple, pink, mauve, blue, white and even two-tone blooms. The blooms can be picked and dried. The silvery foliage of lavender, make it a great contrast plant within the garden, making it an attractive plant even when not in flower.
Growing Tips:
- Full sun position with good airflow
- Free draining soil with levels of organic matter
Neutral to sweet soil pH. If you have an acidic soil, the addition of dolomite will sweeten the soil.- Prune twice a year after flowering to maintain bushy growth. Trim off spent blooms as they occur.
- Feed with a liquid fertiliser during the flowering season and a slow-release fertiliser after flowering and a light prune to encourage new growth.
Varieties:
‘French’ Lavandula dentata, ‘Allard’s’ Lavandula allardii, ‘Italian/Spanish’ Lavandula stoechas, ‘English’ Lavandula angustifolia (the true French), ‘Canary Island’ Lavandula canariensis, ‘Sidonie’, Lavandula canariensis x. There are many named cultivars of the species mentioned above.
Uses:
- Contrasting foliage plant
- Bee and butterfly attracting
- Scented foliage
- Cut flower
- Smudge stick and potpourri making component
- Low hedge
- Feature planting
- Potted plant
- Companion plant
Heat loves for your summer gardening:
Plants that originate from the Mediterranean region of the world are naturally acclimatised to hot dry weather.
Lavender is one of the most popular but there many other scented herbs that fall into this category too that will happily grow in the same position as lavender.
Santolina, curry bush, rosemary, thyme, sage, oregano, lemon verbena, dogbane, wormwood and trees such as olive and bay leaf.
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