LOOKING AFTER LAVENDER (From St Albans & Harpenden Review)

LOOKING AFTER LAVENDER

9:03pm Wednesday 27th July 2011

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As I recently bought some more lavender plants I thought it was time to revise my knowledge of looking after them. Having lost a French lavender (Lavandula stoechas) during the last very cold winter I would like to ensure my new ‘Fathead’ has the best chance of survival.

Lavenders originated from round the Mediterranean so it isn’t surprising that they need well-drained soils and lots of sunshine. I am told that wet soil is just as likely to kill plants as the cold winter weather.

After planting give the plants a generous mulch and keep well watered (not soggy) until they are safely established. Don’t be tempted to add fertiliser as this can cause unattractive leggy growth. Then, hard as it seems, it is recommended that the tops of the shoots are trimmed back by about 2.5cm. This should encourage bushy growth which leads to lots more flowers.

After the first year’s flowering has finished remove any spent flower heads and the top 2.5cm of growth. In subsequent years prune the plants back making sure there is leafy growth below where you are cutting, this should help prevent them becoming woody. Pruning is best finished before the end of August to give new growth time to mature before the first frosts set in.

French lavenders are best pruned in June after the first flowers have finished, afterwards dead head as necessary. These plants are ideal for growing in pots and but are best moved under cover during the cold weather. I have learnt my lesson from last winter and ‘Fathead’ will be moved into my hall until all danger to frosts has passed.

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