Growing lavandula

Introduction to Lavender

Embark on a fragrant journey with our Lavender garden guide. Lavender—renowned for its soothing aroma and lovely purple blooms—is a favorite in gardens worldwide. This guide offers insights into growing and nurturing Lavender, ensuring a delightful display of fragrance and color in your garden.

We have grown lavender in one of our fields for years, and love the views, the pollinator-attracting flower spikes, and the warm breezes in summer that contain the hypnotic scent. Enjoy our growing guide!

Botanical Overview – Understanding Lavender’s Botanical Roots

• Common Name – Lavender
• Scientific Name – Lavandula
• Family – Lamiaceae (Mint family)

Originating from the Mediterranean, Lavender is a member of the mint family, known for its aromatic flowers and often silvery-green foliage. This perennial herb is not only prized for its beauty and scent but also for its versatility in culinary, therapeutic, and decorative uses.

History and Culture – Lavender Through the Ages

Lavender’s history is as rich and varied as its fragrance. Tracing back over 2,500 years, it has been revered across many cultures for its medicinal, therapeutic, and religious significance. The ancient Egyptians used Lavender in their mummification process and perfumery. The Romans valued it for its cleansing properties, using it in bathing rituals and to freshen the air. In medieval and Renaissance Europe, Lavender was a staple in herb gardens—not only for its scent and beauty but also for its use in warding off illnesses and as a disinfectant. Lavender’s name is believed to derive from the Latin lavare—meaning “to wash”—a testament to its longstanding association with cleanliness and purification. Over the centuries, its popularity only grew, finding its place in the culinary world, folk remedies, and the flourishing perfume industry of the 19th century. Lavender’s enduring appeal lies in its multifaceted uses—from its calming aroma in aromatherapy to its antiseptic properties—making it a timeless and versatile herb in both historical and modern contexts.

Benefits and Uses – The Multifaceted Appeal of Lavender

• Aromatherapy – Its essential oil is widely used for its calming and relaxing properties
• Culinary Uses – Dried flowers can infuse dishes, baked goods, and beverages with a delicate, floral flavor
• Landscape Design – Ideal for borders, herb gardens, rock gardens, and containers—adding color, texture, and fragrance
• Crafts & Home – Used in sachets, potpourri, soaps, and salves. Lavender is used in salves and soaps for its skin benefits and calming scent (click for our Lavender Salve)

Lavender not only beautifies gardens but also offers various practical and therapeutic uses.

Varieties of Lavender – Exploring Lavender’s Many Forms

Dive into the diverse world of Lavender. Each variety offers unique characteristics, making them suitable for different climates, uses, and aesthetics. Understanding these nuances helps you choose the perfect Lavender –

• Lavandula angustifolia (English Lavender) – Known for its sweet fragrance and compact shape. Often considered the best for culinary use and high-quality oil. Generally the hardiest type, often thriving in USDA Zones 5-9, preferring moderate summers and cooler winters
• Lavandula stoechas (Spanish Lavender) – Recognized by its distinct “bunny ear” bracts atop pineapple-shaped blooms. Has a more pungent, eucalyptus-like scent. Less cold-hardy (often Zones 7-10), preferring mild winters and hot, dry summers
• Lavandula x intermedia (Lavandin) – Robust hybrids between English and Spike Lavender. Known for long stems, abundant flowers, and high camphor content in their oil—making them great for crafts and sachets. Typically hardy in Zones 5-9
• Lavandula dentata (French Lavender) – Features finely toothed (dentate) leaves and a lighter, rosemary-like fragrance. Blooms nearly year-round in mild climates. Less cold-hardy, usually suited for Zones 8-10

Important Note – Always check the specific cultivar’s hardiness rating and compare it to your local USDA Hardiness Zone to ensure it’s suitable for your climate.

Planting and Growth Conditions – Creating Ideal Conditions for Lavender

• Sunlight – Lavender thrives in full sun. At least 6–8 hours of direct sunlight daily is essential for robust growth and abundant blooms
• Soil – Excellent drainage is crucial. Lavender prefers poor to average, sandy or gravelly soil with a neutral to slightly alkaline pH. Lavender detests “wet feet”—meaning soil that stays soggy. If you have heavy clay soil, consider planting in raised beds or amending the planting area generously with organic matter like compost and potentially grit or coarse sand to improve drainage. However, avoid making the soil overly rich, as this can lead to more foliage and fewer, less fragrant flowers
• Planting Tips – Plant in spring or early fall to allow roots to establish. Ensure good air circulation by spacing plants adequately—check the mature size of your chosen variety. Avoid overcrowding

Proper site selection and soil preparation are vital for establishing healthy Lavender plants.

Care and Maintenance – Nurturing Your Lavender

• Watering – Water newly planted lavender regularly until established. Once established, Lavender is very drought-tolerant. Water deeply but infrequently—allowing the soil to dry out completely between waterings. Overwatering is a common cause of problems
• Fertilizing – Generally, Lavender does not require fertilizing—especially if planted in suitable soil. Excessive fertilizer can reduce fragrance and make plants leggy. A light top-dressing of compost annually is usually sufficient, if needed at all
• Pruning – Prune annually to maintain shape, prevent woodiness, and encourage bushy growth and more blooms. Prune in early spring as new growth appears, or immediately after the first flush of bloom. Cut back stems by about one-third to one-half—shaping the plant into a mounded form. Crucially, avoid cutting down into the old, thick woody base, as it may not resprout readily from old wood

Harvesting Your Lavender

Harvest lavender stems when the buds have formed but just before the tiny flowers fully open—for the most potent fragrance and longest-lasting dried bouquets. Cut the stems in the morning after the dew has dried, using sharp pruners or scissors. Cut stems long enough for your intended use (bouquets, sachets, culinary). Gather the stems into small bunches and hang them upside down in a warm, dry, dark place with good air circulation for 1–2 weeks until fully dried.

Propagating Lavender

Expand your lavender patch easily through propagation. Softwood cuttings taken in late spring or early summer are often the most successful method. Select healthy, non-flowering shoots (about 3–4 inches long), trim them just below a leaf node, remove the lower leaves, dip the base in rooting hormone (optional, but can help), and plant them in a well-draining rooting medium (like perlite and peat mix). Keep moist and provide indirect light until rooted.

Potential Problems – Navigating Common Lavender Challenges

• Pests and Diseases – Lavender is relatively pest-resistant but watch for aphids or spittlebugs. The main concern is fungal disease—especially root rot—which is almost always caused by overwatering or poorly draining soil. Ensure excellent drainage and avoid wet mulch around the plant base
• Environmental Stress – While drought-tolerant, Lavender can struggle in overly wet conditions or high humidity. Poor air circulation combined with dampness encourages fungal problems. Ensure plants are not overcrowded to allow air movement
• Winter Care – In colder zones (especially Zones 5–6 or for less hardy varieties), provide winter protection. This might include applying a loose mulch like straw or shredded leaves after the ground freezes slightly (keep mulch away from the plant’s crown to prevent rot) or using a breathable cover like burlap during the coldest periods. Ensure good drainage year-round—as cold and wet soil is particularly damaging

Understanding and managing these potential challenges will help keep your Lavender plants healthy and thriving.

Conclusion

Lavender—with its enchanting fragrance, beautiful blooms, and versatile uses—is a rewarding addition to any garden. By providing the sunny, well-drained conditions it loves and performing simple annual maintenance like pruning, you can enjoy the myriad benefits of this timeless herb. Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or just starting, growing Lavender offers a delightful and aromatic experience.