Growing Lavender
3rd Dec 2024
Lavender is a versatile plant that is a medicinal herb that is an ornamental perennial. This pollinator friendly plant features a lovely fragrance and evergreen foliage. Lavender is from the Mediterranean region where it grows wild. This plant is low-maintenance and easy to care for if you have it in the right spot and will bloom all season. Lavender needs full sun with well-draining soil. Gravel or sand may need to be added to improve drainage. In fact, lavender prefers poor soil and does not like to be fertilized.
Lavender is drought-tolerant once established and needs to be watering once a week until it is established. Do not overwater.
Types of Lavender Plants
There are around 47 known species of Lavender and over 400 varieties of lavender, but the most popular that grow here in Michigan include:
English Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) is one of the most cold-hardy varieties. It's called English lavender since it grows well in the cooler climate of England and is popular in English herb gardens. 'Hidcote' Lavender
Hybrid Lavender, Lavandula x intermedia, (sometimes called Lavandula hybrida) is a cross that combines the cod hardiness of English lavender with the heat tolerance of Portuguese lavender.
French or Fringed Lavender (Lavandula dentata) is an annual in Michigan. It is a fun looking version with its fern like or toothed leaves. This variety also has a more rosemary like scent.
Pruning Lavender Plants
Pruning lavender ensures its cropped, tiny foliage comes back year after year. Pruning depends on what variety of lavender you have.
Click here to read Monrovia's How and When to Prune Different Types of Lavender Guide.
Lavender Has Many Uses:
- Cooking: English lavender is commonly used in cooking; its blue flowers and leaves lend unique flavor profiles to desserts, jellies, ice creams, and savory meals. The flower spikes can also be used to prepare lavender tea.
- Soaps, shampoos, lotions, and perfumes: its alleged antiseptic properties and calming scent have made it a common ingredient.
- Pollinator Garden: lavender nectar attracts butterflies and bees. Click here to read more Monrovia Ultimate Lavender Care Guide: How to Grow and Care For Lavender Plants