Lavender for the Under 30s

This title was used by Laetitia Maklouf in her book The Virgin Gardener, and I love it. I have to say that yes lavender does have that old people stereotype with it but it really shouldn’t if you could smell and see this wonderful plant in full bloom in rows and rows with bees and butterfly’s happily buzzing around you too would fall in love with this truly amazing plant. Not only is it good for you but it is a haven for wildlife. I would love to get lost in the Lavender fields in Provence, to see the rows and rows of purple, running your hands through the rows obviously watching out for the bees.

The big debate which lavender smells the best, well it really is down to personal taste they all smell slightly different. My favourite for smell is Lavandula “Imperial Gem” its a small lavender only about 45cm high ideal for your kitchen garden as the seeds can be used in cooking. If you want to go for small compact traditional lavender then Lavandula angustifolia “Hidcot” is the one for you. I have two favourites, one is an odd one, ironically it was the one I hated the most that is Lavandula “Sawyers” its got beautiful silver leaves but with the contrast of deep purple flowers, I hated that silver leaf I used to think it looked dead, but when you see it in full swing you too will love it. My ultimate favourite is of course the Lavendula x intermedia “Grosso” this is by far the best for growing in fields and walking through the rows with your arms out. Its grows tall at roughly 90cm but the smell is just lovely. Its best used for drying and for fresh cut lavender due to its long stalks, L. “Hidcot” is also good for this too as they both keep their scent once dried for the longest.

You can get lavenders in so many colours, dark and light purple, lilac,  blue, pink, white. but also a mixture of these colours like Lavandula “Melissa Lilac” a lilac petal with dark purple buds, just remember she doesn’t like to be in a pot. They also come in a range of heights from short like the Lavandula “hidcote” to over a metre like the Lavandula “old English” although of the older varieties I personally prefer the smell and flowers of the Lavandula “Vera” not that there is much in it.

Lavender is so easy to grow if you abide by the following very simple rules:

1. Lavender will only grow in Sunlight so do not plant it any where near shade it will die!
2. Lavender hates to have its bottom in water, so don’t plant it where you know it gets boggy for any of the seasons! Only water baby plants and only occasionally if needed!
3. Lavender loves rubbish soil! Don’t put it in fancy compost.
4. Do prune your lavender at the correct time! Do this before October! If you have left it too late then do it in the spring, what ever you do do not prune in WINTER!!! Your lavender will not thank you for it, it will get in a hissy fit and will probably die! The cut stems need to repair themselves before the winter.
5. To prune (english and Intermedia varieties only Stochas (French is different)) once flowering has finished but before October, some varieties finish earlier than others and it depends on the type of summer we have had. Cut off the stalks down to only an inch of new live wood do not cut into old wood, some English varieties will come from the old wood, but not always. If you prune your lavender right every year it will help to prevent brittle stems and a weird looking lavender.
6. The most important thing is once its planted in the right place and you have pruned it correctly at the right time then leave it alone and enjoy the smell! It will prefer that you left it! You can get up to 20 plus years from the old lavenders if you look after it and we don’t get really wet winters and summers. Remember its the wet that kills them!
7. Enjoy your lavender.

I have to mention Lavandula  “Little Lady” she is a beautiful little lavender that will grow in a pot, its great for patios, she has a beautiful light lilac purple/ pink flower. Very beautiful if kept in a ball shape.

So no more excuses for not growing lavender unless you have a boggy shady garden. Which variety will you choose.