What is the best lavender to grow?
The Lavandula angustifolia (English Lavender) is one of the most widely grown lavenders. It includes varieties such as Hidecote and Munstead which are more tolerant of winter cold and temperature fluctuations (generally zones 5-8). It can also be grown for culinary purposes as it’s not as ‘piney’ as the french or spanish lavenders.
What zone does lavender grow in?
It includes varieties such as Hidecote and Munstead which are more tolerant of winter cold and temperature fluctuations (generally zones 5-8). It can also be grown for culinary purposes as it’s not as ‘piney’ as the french or spanish lavenders.
What does lavender hate the most?
There’s one thing that lavender hates more than the cold – that is having wet, not very well drained soil. If you have a heavier soil, like ours in Central Maine you could improve the conditions by adding some grit to the soil – in the form of sand and/or gravel.
What zone does Lavandula need to grow in?
Lavandins (Lavandula x intermedia) need warmer temperatures and drier ground (zones 6-8). They can be grown to zone 5, so if you’re planning on growing these, you should plan on a lot of winter protection. They put out lots of showy spikes and are very fragrant, although they lack the ‘sweetness’ of the English varieties.
Does lavender grow wild in Maine?
Spanish lavender (Lavandula stoechas) is probably not suitable for the Maine climate unless grown in containers and brought inside. Most need a hot, dry environment (zone 8-9) They do, however, have some of the most interesting colors and flower shapes of the lavenders.
Does lavender grow in the Northeast?
Lavender is a perennial herb that will live for 15 years or more if properly cared for. Before you plant, know your zone and plant lavender suitable for your area (usually zone 5-6 in New England). In New England, plant lavender from May until late September in a location with full sun and well-drained soil.
Where does lavender grow best in the US?
Lavender is a drought tolerant plant and thrives in dryer conditions other than high humidity. Ideal places to grow lavender would be Hawaii, California, New Mexico, Arizona, Texas and other states.
What zones does lavender thrive in?
Lavenders thrive in the arid West, but are best grown as annuals or container plants in the South, as they do not thrive in areas of high humidity (with the exception of Lavandula dentata and L. stoechas). Most are hardy from Zones 5 to 9; Spanish Lavender (L. stoechas) is only hardy in Zones 7 to 9.
Can lavender survive snow?
English Lavender varieties, are the only lavender species which is cold hardy and will regularly survive winters in colder climates, despite frosts and snow. The Popular English variety lavender Hidcote Superior can even reportedly survive temperatures up to -30 °C (-20 °F) during winter.
How do you protect lavender from snow?
If you don't get a good reliable snow cover, cover your plant bases with a well draining mulch, such as pea gravel, and/or cover the plant itself with a breathable fabric cover (like burlap or gardening blanket fabric), to protect from wind and freezing temperatures.
Will lavender come back every year?
Lavender is a Low-Maintenance Perennial And this beauty will come back to your garden every year, for about 3-5 years, so it's a great investment. What is this? Before you make any plant purchases, however, I want to remind you to always choose plants that thrive in your plant hardiness zone.
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.
What state is known for lavender?
So, it might not be a surprise that Oregon is among the top U.S. producers of lavender. The fragrant purple flower adapts well to the state's moderate temperatures, sandy, well-drained soils and dry summers.
Is lavender cold hardy?
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.
How do you winterize lavender in the ground?
Dig a hole in the ground deep enough to place the whole pot in the ground, with the soil level of the ground the same as in the pot. This will give some protection and insulation to the roots and help it survive the winter.
Is lavender toxic to dogs?
Lavender contains a small amount of linalool, which is toxic to dogs and cats. Mild exposure to lavender is not generally harmful and may help with anxiety, depression, and stress. Lavender poisoning is possible and may cause vomiting, reduced appetite, and other symptoms.
When to Plant Lavender in Maine
As you may have already guessed, you need to pay very close attention to your local weather in the spring. Specifically, you are going to need to watch when the last frost occurs.
When Should You Start Your Lavender Seeds Indoors?
Depending on the type of lavender, it takes roughly 15-20 days to grow lavender from seed indoors and then transplant them to your garden.
How to grow lavender in Maine?
If you plan on growing lavender in Maine, for best results you should cover them once consistent cold occurs. Don’t be in a rush or the mice will make their home along with the protected lavender and ruin a lot of it. Wait until the mice have made their winter burrows elsewhere . Cover with a thick layer of straw, or heavy floating row cover that’s pinned or weighted down. It should be checked periodically to make sure the wind hasn’t uncovered any of it.
What is the most widely grown lavender?
The Lavandula angustifolia (English Lavender) is one of the most widely grown lavenders. It includes varieties such as Hidecote and Munstead which are more tolerant of winter cold and temperature fluctuations (generally zones 5-8).
What zone do lavender plants grow in?
Lavandins (Lavandula x intermedia) need warmer temperatures and drier ground (zones 6-8). They can be grown to zone 5, so if you’re planning on growing these, you should plan on a lot of winter protection. They put out lots of showy spikes and are very fragrant, although they lack the ‘sweetness’ of the English varieties. Grosso is a very common French lavender variety.It grows up to 36″ wide.
What is the best soil for lavender?
Lavender doesn’t require rich soil – in fact , it does best where the soil is a bit lean and the pH is neutral or even ‘sweet’ . There’s one thing that lavender hates more than the cold – that is having wet, not very well drained soil.
Does lavender like cold?
There’s one thing that lavender hates more than the cold – that is having wet, not very well drained soil. If you have a heavier soil, like ours in Central Maine you could improve the conditions by adding some grit to the soil – in the form of sand and/or gravel.
Can lavender grow in Maine?
With a little extra care, you can grow lavender in colder climates. Growing lavender in Maine can be a challenge, but equipped with the right information and doing some simple planning, one can successfully enjoy this versatile landscaping plant. The growing zones for most of Maine are right on the fringe for lavender.
Where should you plant lavender?
Lavender can be grown in pots and containers or planted in the soil in the perennial bed. It can be used to line walkways, fill in between perennials or to brighten rock gardens.
What kind of soil does lavender need?
Lavender thrives in average to poor soil that is neutral to slightly alkaline and drains well.. Aim for a pH of 6.5 to 7.5. If your soil is acidic (below 7.0) add lime to the soil and mix it in well. When preparing the soil you can add some organic matter, such as compost, to improve drainage and aeration, but keep in mind lavender does not need rich soil. Beware of adding peat moss to the soil as it can lower the pH if you apply excessive amounts.
How much sunlight does lavender need?
Choose a location that receives full sun for at least 6 to 8 hours a day. The New England Gardener's Guide recommends planting lavender on a south facing slope in sandy soil. Adjust the pH to 6.0 or above, as lavender does not grow well in acidic soil.
Do you need to fertilize lavender?
Lavender is not a heavy feeder and may produce heavy foliage at the expense of flowers if it is over-fed. The best routine is to apply water-soluble fertilizer in the spring when the first new growth appears and again just prior to blooming.
When should you harvest lavender?
Harvest lavender blooms when they first begin to open. Cut the stem back to the next level of blooms. Stems typically branch with one main bloom rising above the others. Two or more smaller blooms emerge on the side branches. Keeping your lavender plants harvested forces new lavender flowers to form and extends the blooming period of lavender.
How do you dry lavender?
Bundle the lavender stems together and secure with twine or elastic. I personally prefer elastic as it holds securely and tightens as the stems dry. Hang the lavender blooms upside down in a dry well-ventilated area to dry.
How do you store dried lavender?
How you store your dried lavender depends on the expected use. Snip the dried lavender flowers and leaves from the stem to use for potpourri or sachets and store in an airtight container until ready to use .
