Lavender

I love lavender. But have little success with it really taking off and surviving our winter. I know it can. I just have not found the right stuff. So I will watch this thread for ideas myself!

Carol Dee said:

I love lavender. But have little success with it really taking of and surviving our winter. I know it ca. I just have not found the right stuff. So I will watch this thread for ideas myself!

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Location is a big part of it Carol Dee, and the soil type. They really seem to like it more on the gravely side.

I planted mine in a container. I had originally put it in the ground, but had to open that spot back up. It seems to be doing well in the container, except when I pruned it. It didn't like being pruned.

thistlebloom said:

Location is a big part of it Carol Dee, and the soil type. They really seem to like it more on the gravely side.

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THANKS

thistlebloom said:

Where's @Lavender2 ? Seems natural that she would have some ideas.

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... outside playing, had to come in to eat before I ended up laying in the dirt.

I have only had luck with Hidcote, Lady Lavender, (Vera lasted 2 years).
Last year I started Ellagance Purple from seed and I see new growth this year.

I have started all of mine from seed, after no luck with purchased plants a few times. I would not be discouraged by the claims that it is difficult to start from seed, or that variations occur with seed. But, it takes time to get a bush, it must be started very early (Feb. at least). Get seed from a reputable source and use it right away, viability can be as short as 3 months to a year.

'Lady' bloomed the first year and grew quite quickly. Hidcote bloomed the second year, but it took 3-4 years to get a decent sized bush. Having trouble finding my pics, but this is Hidcote year 3, starting to bloom ...



I have mine growing in the two fastest draining areas in my yard. Do no pruning until new growth shows in Spring, other than harvesting flowers.
This is good info also... SFGate

This year I started Lavance Purple from Swallowtail seeds . The seed was up in about 10 days.



I don't know anything about using the oils for soaps though, or the best plants for that. I think I read there's like over 100 varieties out there. I wish I could grow them ALL!

I have had limited success with Hidcote and Munstead. Because of the cold winters, I planted them next to the brick wall along the West side of the house. That gave them more warmth as the bricks collected radiant sunlight. They were planted under the eaves, so little rainfall reached them. They were part of the few plants I kept watered.

I had tried several time to get lavender started, but ended up getting mine from seed rather than purchasing a potted lavender.

I lost a lot of perennials the summer of 2012 because of drought conditions. The lavender did not make it.

I've got lavender all over this place, and Mexi sage (good for frying up and munching) and rosemary. They are all drought tolerant and spread and spread. We use the rosemary as hedges.

@Smart Red We seem to live close enough the same rough winters and dry summers did a number on a lot of my perennials.

Carol, have you had the funny feeling that this year might be a repeat of 2012? Or are South enough to have been inundated with rain? Although the winter was cold, we had little snowfall and not one decent spring shower yet. I am almost afraid to start the garden only to see it whither and dry.

Smart Red said:

Carol, have you had the funny feeling that this year might be a repeat of 2012? Or are South enough to have been inundated with rain? Although the winter was cold, we had little snowfall and not one decent spring shower yet. I am almost afraid to start the garden only to see it whither and dry.

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EXACTLY... we have had several storms blow through but little or no rain. We are already behind in perception as the snows where lesser this winter. Just too darn Cold. Today was near 80! Talking rains on and off Sunday, Monday and Tuesday. We will see.