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Which lavender is best for cold climates?
Best Lavender Species, Hybrids, and Cultivars for Cooler ClimatesAvignon Early Blue.Grosso.Hidcote.Imperial Gem.Lacy Frills.Lady.Munstead.Phenomenal.More items...•
Can lavender plant survive winter?
English lavender species are hardy, so can survive outdoors throughout winter and tolerate frost. Whereas Spanish, French and Italian lavenders are not frost tolerant and will need to be transferred to pots and taken indoors over winter, if they're in a climate that receives regular frosts.
Do I need to protect lavender from frost?
Third, it is important to cover your Lavender plants (zone 5 and below) with winter protection. Being that Lavender is an evergreen shrub, these plants are susceptible to winter burn and have a hard time fighting the natural winter elements.
Can lavender survive winter in Zone 4?
If you want to try Lavender in your zone 4a or 4b garden, a limited number of cultivars will not only survive extreme winters under the right conditions, but will also rebound well from die back with vigorous spring growth and flowering.
How do you winterize lavender?
If your plant will be inside for the winter, keep it in a cool, non-freezing location with sunlight and air circulation. Slow down watering of plants. Lavender prefers a dry soil, and the amount of rain that naturally falls will be sufficient for the plant.
Can I leave potted lavender outside in winter?
English Lavenders will survive winter in pots and tolerate frosts and cold weather, whereas French and Spanish lavenders will not survive outdoors over winter in climates that experience frost and will need to be brought indoors for protection.
What is the lowest temperature lavender tolerate?
Temperature: During winter, lavenders like it cool but not drafty; the temperature can drop to as low as 40°F (5°C) at night and shouldn't be warmer than 65°F (18°C) during the day. This means that you ought to keep them away from heaters that will dry them out and drafty windows that could chill them too much.
Will lavender come back after winter?
Lavender is a perennial sub shrub the does come back after Winter and lives for many years with the right care, growing in the appropriate climate and conditions. Spanish and French lavenders may not come back after Winter in cold climates as they not as cold hardy as English lavenders.
Do lavender grow well in pots?
Lavender also grows quite well in containers. In the Deep South, it actually does better in pots, as it benefits from improved drainage and air circulation. While the plants thrive in arid Western climates, they are usually considered annuals in the South.
What is the difference between lavender and English lavender?
Both lavender varieties have a lovely scent, but to a well trained nose, it's easy to spot the difference. English lavender is much lighter and sweeter than French lavender because it has less camphor, a chemical with a piney, woody scent.
What does lavender look like after winter?
The plant will begin showing signs of green in the spring, but the exact time will depend upon your hardiness zone. By mid-april in Zone 8 most of our plants are sporting a solid green hue as the new stems emerge from the woody plant base.
Is lavender toxic to cats?
Lavender is mildly toxic to cats, which means it's not typically fatal. “The toxic compounds found in the pretty purple-flowered plant are called linalool and linalyl acetate, which cats' livers are unable to process,” Dr.
Will lavender come back after winter?
Lavender is a perennial sub shrub the does come back after Winter and lives for many years with the right care, growing in the appropriate climate and conditions. Spanish and French lavenders may not come back after Winter in cold climates as they not as cold hardy as English lavenders.
Does a lavender plant come back every year?
If you have lavender plants that are hardy in your growing zone (see our Lavender 101 post for more information on this), it is likely that they will return year after year for a decade or two. But even the toughest perennials may still look quite grisly after their long winter dormancy.
Can lavender survive 30 degrees?
During the winter, the popular English variety of lavender known as Hidcote Superior is said to be able to thrive in temperatures as low as -30 degrees Celsius (-20 degrees Fahrenheit).
What is the lowest temperature lavender tolerate?
Temperature: During winter, lavenders like it cool but not drafty; the temperature can drop to as low as 40°F (5°C) at night and shouldn't be warmer than 65°F (18°C) during the day. This means that you ought to keep them away from heaters that will dry them out and drafty windows that could chill them too much.
How to protect lavender from winter?
In the winter, prune back the herb’s new growth by 2/3 of the stem length, avoiding cutting into the old wood. If you don’t get a good reliable snow cover, cover your plants with straw or dry leaves and then with burlap. This will protect cold hardy lavender from drying winds and chilly temps.
How to grow lavender in Zone 4?
Tips for Growing Lavender in Zone 4. Lavender requires plenty of sun, well-draining soil and excellent air circulation. Prepare the soil by tilling down 6-8 inches (15-20 cm.) and working in some compost and potash. Plant the lavender out when all danger of frost has passed for your area. Lavender does not need lots of water.
How tall does a phenomenal lavender plant get?
It is a shorter variety than Munstead and will only get to about a foot (30 cm.) in height. Phenomenal is a new hybrid cold hardy lavender that thrives from zone 4-8. It grows much taller than either Hidicote or Munstead at 24-34 inches (61-86 cm.), with the taller flower spikes typical of hybrid lavender. Phenomenal is true to its name and sports ...
How tall does Munstead lavender grow?
It can be propagated via seed, stem cuttings or get plant starts from the nursery. This variety of lavender will grow from 12-18 inches (30-46 cm.) in height and, once established, requires very little care with the exception ...
What is the best flower to grow in Zone 4?
Hidicote lavender is another variety suited to zone 4 that, like Munstead, can even be grown in zone 3 with reliable snow cover or winter protection. Hidicote’s foliage is grey and the flowers are more purple than blue. It is a shorter variety than Munstead and will only get to about a foot (30 cm.) in height.
Is lavender good for cold climates?
Lavender Varieties for Cold Climates. There are basically three lavender plants suitable for zone 4. Be sure to check that the variety has been tagged a zone 4 lavender plant; otherwise, you will be growing an annual.
Can lavender be grown in Zone 4?
Cold hardy lavender might need a little more TLC if you don’t have a reliable snow pack, but there are still lavender plants for zone 4 growers available.
How to ensure winter survival of lavender?
To ensure winter survival you need to amend the lavenders’ soil so that it has good drainage with a relatively open, porous structure that allows water to escape easily.
What is the best lavender to grow outdoors?
If you live in a cool temperate climate and you want to keep lavender outdoors all year round then the English Lavender species is the best option.
How to keep lavender from splitting?
When woody stems break over winter they do not usually grow back, so that lavender remains damaged. Regular pruning of lavender will: Prevent lavenders from splitting and maintain a more attractive shape. Promote new growth and therefore produce more blooms. Extend the life of lavender.
What is the best soil for lavender plants?
A ratio of 70% potting soil and 30% sand or gravel is often recommended but with soils in colder climates that have higher levels of rainfall, a 50:50 mix can be required to ensure the lavenders roots do not sit in cold, damp soil for extended periods.
How to keep lavender roots from forming woody stems?
Amending the soil with a high proportion of sand or grit will help water drain away from the soil faster and therefore protect the roots. Pruning lavenders regularly will slow down the formation of woody stems, and maintain a compact shape which will prevent snow and frost damage.
Why does lavender split in winter?
Lavenders that haven’t been pruned will grow more woody which leaves them prone to splitting in the winter due to snow and ice. Once the lavender has split the old wood doesn’t typically grow back.
How long does lavender last?
Some lavender species are relatively short lived for perennials plants may only live for four years even with good care. However with a few adjustments you can ensure that your lavender will tolerate winter and thrive in the summers. Keep reading for solutions and best practices to safeguard your lavenders over winter….
How to prepare lavender for winter?
To prepare you lavenders for winter the two most important things you can do are: 1 Tidy away fallen leaves that have accumulated around the lavender 2 Prune the lavender into a dense, robust mound shape as this will more effectively resist the effects of Winter weather.
What zone does lavender grow in?
This hardy lavender species can grow in zone 5 in the USA with the variety Hidcote Superior able to survive the winter with temperatures as low as -30 °C (-20 °F)!
What to do with lavender leaves at the end of the year?
So at the end of Fall, make sure that you get a rake (or use a leaf blower) out and clear all decaying organic matter from around your lavenders and place it on your compost heap. At this time of year you can lay some sand or gravel down to act as a mulch to suppress weeds.
How to prune lavender to resist winter?
Prune the lavender into a dense, robust mound shape as this will more effectively resist the effects of Winter weather.
How to get rid of lavender roots?
Wet, cold winter soils can cause root rot and kill lavenders. Amend the soil with plenty of sand or gravel to improve the soil structure and increase the rate of infiltra tion so that the lavenders roots stay relatively dry.
Why is it important to drain soil in the winter?
Soil that drains quickly and does not hold onto moisture is even more important in the winter to avoid the effects of root rot (lavender roots prefer to be dry).
Where does lavender come from?
Despite the name “English” Lavender, all lavenders originate from the Mediterranean region of southern Europe and therefore require similar soil conditions, such as low fertility and good drainage.
How cold can lavender survive?
Cold hardy lavender does actually exist. The English varieties can withstand temperatures of -20 degrees Fahrenheit (-29 C.) while the French can only withstand temperatures of 10 degrees Fahrenheit (-12 C.) or higher. Winter survivability really depends upon the variety and if it is a hybrid of the hardiest strain available.
How Hardy are Lavender Plants?
Bees love it, it dries well and the scent remains long after the flowers have died. There are no reasons not to grow lavender, but is it right for your zone? With a sunny, well-draining location and plenty of spring and summer sun, the plants will thrive, but when winter comes, they are often killed to the ground if temperatures are too cold. So how hardy are lavender plants? Let’s find out.
What zone is lavender hardy?
Even Portuguese lavender, which is a warm season lavender, becomes hardy in zone 5 when bred with English lavender. These hybrids are called lavandins and are hardy in zone 5 with increased vigor, size and oil content than their parents. The optimal range for English lavender is zone 5 to 8.
What is the best temperature for lavender in Zone 5?
Lavender plants for zone 5 must be able to withstand temperatures of -10 to -20 degrees Fahrenheit (-23 to -29 C.). There are primarily French and English lavender varieties, with the English the most cold tolerant.
What is the best lavender plant for Zone 5?
Lavender plants for zone 5 that have extreme hardiness are: Hidcote. Munstead. Twickle Purple. The lavandins that are most hardy are: Grosso. Provence. Fred Boutin. Some winter kill may be experienced with the lavandins when they are sited in exposed areas or in cold pockets.
What is Zone 5 lavender?
Zone 5 Lavender Plants – Growing Cold Hardy Lavender Varieties. Lavender originated in the Mediterranean and flourishes in temperate regions of the world. Zone 5 can be a tricky region for Mediterranean plants which might find the climate too cold in winter.
What is the best temperature for English lavender?
The optimal range for English lavender is zone 5 to 8. This is the temperature range to which the plant is native and in which it will thrive.
