Creating the Soil that Lavender Loves

Three things to know about the genus Lavendula

1. It is a perennial- this means that it comes back every year from a dormant state.
2. It is an evergreen in our southern states.  Most varieties are hardy which means that the roots will survive average winters even if the top dies- it will come back from the roots.
3. It is a woody plant which means that it develops hard wood at the base.

Most plants in this category have the following formula:
1st year it sleeps.  2nd year it creeps.  3rd year it leaps!

Five Things Lavender Hates

1. Over watering –or wet feet
Provide good drainage- amend with granite sand.
Plant with others with similar water requirements.
Use drip irrigation to avoid wetting leaves.

2. Stagnation of air.
Avoid overcrowding- know the size of the adult plant.

3. Deep shade.
Needs to get good morning sun
Will take some late afternoon shade

4. Rhizoctonia- Cotton Root Rot.
Present in most clay soils
Plant with cornmeal in hole
Test soil before major crop planting

5. Extreme Drought.
Provide some water every 10 days if no rain

Five Things That Lavender Loves

1, Occasional deep watering
2. Lots of SUN
3. Good Air Flow
4. Fast Drainage
5. Cornmeal and Compost Tea

The Cultivars

What the Book Says / What We have Seen

We are on our fifth year of growing a large area of raised beds of Lavender on a typically hilly piece of land in Central Texas.  We have planted several different cultivars over the years and below is a list of our favorites.  The Book that  I am referring to is The Genus Lavandula by Tim Upson & Susyn Andrews

In order of size

Provence
Lavandula x intermedia   30- 36” high / 30”wide. Full sun.   Gray-green foliage, medium shrub size at maturity, tall wands of subtle lavender –blue flowers. 
This Lavender is very popular because of its long wands and their use in crafts. The plant is a beautiful gray green, flowers are pale and tend to turn gray when dried.  Strong spicy scent. Needs lots of space in the garden.

Vera- Lavandula angustifolia 24- 30”high/24’ wide. Full sun.  Gray-green foliage.  Purple-blue flowers.
Very similar to Provence in leaf structure and color, only smaller in size with darker flowers.  Has proven to be more disease resistant than others.

Goodwin Creek- Lavandula x ginginsii. 15’high/15’wide. Full sun  Silver-gray dense and wooly with deeply toothed margins on leaf.  Violet-blue flowers.
This is an unusual looking plant with it interesting toothed edge leaves.  It has died in colder areas of our land but done well thru the winter in warmer micro-climates here.


Munstead
Lavandula angustifolia 12-18” high/ 18” wide.  Full sun.  Blue-green foliage, compact plant , deep purple flowers.
We love this cultivar.  It has the loveliest dark flowers that dry dark purple.  Although the wands are short the smell is heavenly.  It is my favorite for culinary use.

Blue Hidcote
Lavandula angustifolia, 12’’ high/12’ wide Full sun, Bright gray foliage, deep blue flowers, great for borders.
This little plant has been very hardy and disease resistant.  Flower aroma is sweet and buttery.