This post teaches you how to grow lavender. Have you ever thought about growing it in your garden? I mean, why should those people in the South of France have all the fun?
It’s super easy to do, but there are a few things you should know.
For one thing, the growing part. Don’t start the plants from seed, as it’s very difficult to get them to grow. I once planted lavender on a section of earth and nothing grew but weeds – until I discovered one lone plant that had sprung up on its own accord three years later.
Another reason you shouldn’t grow from seed is that lavender is just one of those plants where the end result often differs wildly from the seed. It’s a Russian Roulette and you don’t know what you’ll get. So it’s better to start with buying and transplanting small plants.
If you have poor drainage or clay soil, it’s more work and you might want to read more about mixing in sand and lime to help keep the roots happy. That’s out of my domain, though, because we have sandy soil. If you’re going to plant a lavender hedge, you should first dig a mound of earth along your border and plant the lavender on top of the mound.
Plant your little lavender plants in late autumn, in winter or very early in the Spring. I would probably leave a foot in between each plant. I also planted tulips and irises in between the plants, but as my two large lavender plants get bigger, they seems to be crowding out the tulips next to them. So it depends on how large your lavender variety will grow.
It makes the hedge pretty though because everything blooms at different times.
I planted two varieties of lavender – the dark French blue one, which doesn’t have as strong of a scent, and which doesn’t get as large. And then I planted two of the traditional, highly-perfumed and pale-budded plants on each end of the row.
When the plant grows its buds, it can be tempting to leave it alone, especially when it attracts those delightful bees that we’re trying to keep from going extinct.
But you need to cut it. Be stout of heart.
Or your lavender plant will end up looking like this.
All wood and no blossoms. Cut all the stems with blossoms off so that you end up with your lavender plant in the shape of a little ball – or as close to it as you can.
Trim it like this (and please ignore the weeds).
You need to do this as soon as the blossoms start to fade, about midsummer. My hedge just got a Brazilian. See?
Your hands will smell like lavender and you’ll get a large bouquet of lavender blossoms and stems.
And if you haven’t been tending your hedge (like I haven’t) you’ll get a nice pile of weeds as well. Separate the buds from the chaff.
You can store the stems in a vase like this
because once they lose their scent
they’ll still be quite decorative and can stay there year-round.
And if you sew, you can put the rest of the little seeds into small square cloth packets to store in your dresser or give away as little gifts. The scent will last much longer when hidden away from light and air.
It’s all so charming and so little work.
See? You don’t have to be from Provence to be sophisticatedly provincial.
And? You can cook it with white wine and chicken, which I tried this summer and loved.
Now see I’m afraid to cook with lavender even though I have recipes for it. I’m just afraid it will taste too soapy. Want to share this recipe of yours? Perhaps I should give it a go. Also – the buds might be too dead to use right now – not sure.
I’m utterly fascinated by gardening and growing things, but I know I’m a plant killer, so I shall just live vicariously through you.
Having balcony plants is a good compromise if you have a balcony. WAY easier to maintain and till a bit of green.
I have a huge lavender plant in my garden and I love it. And right now it is in desperate need of a trim!
Yup it’s the season for a trim. But I think as long as it gets its trim before the new season’s growth, you should still be able to keep the woody part at bay.
This makes me wish I had the land for a real garden…and a green thumb might help too…
It is a lot of work, especially as someone as orderly as you. 😉 The weeds would drive you crazy in no time at all, so perhaps it’s a blessing?
oh! if only this post had been up a few months ago, before I bought little lavender plants and put them in my clayey-soiled garden in the middle of the summer! I guess there is always next year… 🙂
Yeah – another person commented that hers died in the clay soil. But you never know – it may just work yet. If not, you’re right – there’s always next year. Lavender is such a happy plant.
The smell is amazing!
I know! There is nothing like it.
Well now lavender is on my list of things to plant next year! I’d love to make sachets from it…
As un-crafty as I am, I really would make sachets if I had a sewing machine. It just seems like to much work to hand-sew squares.
My lavender plant recently died! Thanks for the tip about the soil and lime – we’ve got clay in the Carolinas. Gorgeous plants!
There is some good reading material out there for how to make it work. It is possible even in clay soil – just easier in sand.
Jennie, I want to come and visit you.
I WANT TO.
xo
Okay. You’re on. Especially now that the rat is dead and gone.
That does it. The next plant I buy for my garden will be lavender. 🙂
Oh yay! A convert! 😉
I miss growing lavender. I used to cut bunches of the stuff and hang it upside down in the garage to dry it. Best smelling garage in the neighborhood. 🙂
You’re so right about cutting them back–they get woody really fast.
Will lavender grow where you are now?
Yum. I can smell it. We put lavender(1/4c.) in a tube sock with plain rice(4 c.) to heat in the microwave to comfort laboring women. On the low back, or under the belly in front. Some women love that lavender rice sock. It’s not bad for sore necks either
What a great idea to do that – and no sewing required.
You almost have to raise the beds if you have clay, especially if you want them to survive the winter. The scent also repel moths in the house.
I wish I had known this tip before I posted. That’s good to know.
Oh revealing all of the French secrets!! LOVE! Must see if I can get Lavendar to grow in my Canadian soil. “)
Here I am at your lovely, delicate blog and all I can think is that my hedge needs a Brazilian and I kind of like that wood.
I know. I’m a dirty girl.
What can I say? It’s my anniversary. 😉
If it’s your anniversary, you’d better Brazil away. 😉
Kay, charming yes. Simple, NO. But I am endlessly impressed. Lavender grows so well here and I am forever grateful to live near a park with a huge public lavender garden so I don’t have to do any of the work myself!