HOW TO GROW LAVENDER
From classic to exotic breeds, this fragrant favourite is a must
Watching plants return to life after a long hard winter is always a joy and soon there will be enough young growth on the English lavenders (Lavandula angustifolia) to flavour some shortbread biscuits. i love their calming perfume and the low mounds of shimmering grey-green foliage that sit so well in every style of garden.
insects are attracted to their haze of purple, pink or white summer flowers and there are plenty of cultivars to try. Pretty French lavender (L.stoechas) is not quite as hardy as English lavender but still grows well outdoors on welldrained soils. then there are interesting species such as Moroccan L.dentata var. candicans with toothed, silvery leaves or canary island L.canariensis subsp. canariensis with ferny foliage and branching spikes. these need winter greenhouse protection from the wet and cold, so are best pot-grown and look great in conservatories.
Low hedges of English lavender set in straight lines or sweeping curves add soft structure to the garden and look their best flanking a pathway or forming a patio boundary. Sticking to one variety will deliver the smartest hedge, but combining different sizes and shades of purple creates interesting cloud-like shapes and brings an attractive liveliness to informal plots.
Lavender loves the sun and doesn’t thrive well in any kind of shade. a somewhat poor, well-drained soil will help these Mediterranean plants achieve their longest life span of around 20 years, but i don’t let this put me off enjoying them in our improved clay, even though they frequently give up the ghost within 10 years.
to obtain enough small lavenders to plant a hedge on a budget, plug plants are good value. When they arrive, move them on into slightly larger pots, probably 3.5-4in (9-10cm) of 50:50 John innes no2 and soilless compost with some added potting grit. Let them establish and then plant out promptly. alternatively, strike cuttings from existing plants or raise plants from seed. On welldrained soils a September planting will work, or wait until the following spring.