Grow Lavender for Beautiful Flowers and a Soothing Scent

A perennial, lavender grows from 1 to 3 feet tall, depending on the variety. It needs at least six hours of direct sun each day, preferably more. Lavender is a shrubby plant originally from the Mediterranean region that will grow in hardiness zones 5 through 10.

It can grow in fair or poor soils, slightly alkaline to neutral is best. Lavender plants require well-drained soil. If drainage is a problem, grow lavender in a large container, a raised bed, or on a 10 inch high ridge or mound made from a mixture of one-third soil and two-thirds sand. Lavender needs little or no fertilization, and except for new plants, should be watered less often than most flowers.

The plant has few diseases.

Lavender is relatively free of diseases, and most insects will not feed on it because of its strong aroma. It does attract beneficial insects such as bees. The plant should be allowed enough room for good air circulation to prevent mold from becoming a problem.

Lavender doubles in size by its second year and reaches maximum size by the third year.

Lavender has purple blooms in midsummer. Old flower heads should be pruned to encourage fresh growth. Prune one-third off the top of the clump to within two inches of the woody part.

The blooms range from lavender-hued gray to a vibrant royal purple. The flowers themselves are small, sometimes bud-like but open and full on others, and grow in clusters on the ends of spiky stems. There are also less common species with blooms in white, pink, and a yellow-green.

Most lavender varieties are "English Lavender".

There are more than 20 species of lavender though the most common one grown in the garden is known as "English Lavender" (Lavendula angustifolia). Some varieties of lavender can be grown from seeds (especially variety "Munster"), or pots of live plants can be purchased from garden centers in the spring. Favorite varieties include "Grosso", "Provence", "Royal Purple", "Gray Lady", and "Hidcote".

Other species of Lavender include: L. Stoechas "Spanish Lavender" is distinguishable by small, purple butterfly-like bracts on the top of pinecone shaped blossom. It grows 18 inches high in zones 8 to 11 and is a good choice in warmer humid climates. L. dententa "French Lavender" is less colorful and fragrant than "English Lavender". It has serrated leaves, grows to a height of 36 inches, and is a perennial in hardiness zones 8 - 11.

Not all types are readily available, but may be found though researching mail order web sites and nursery catalogs. Foliage typically ranges from dusty green to silvery gray, and a few species have bright chartreuse leaves.

Lavender is propagated by cuttings and layering.　

Lavender's older stems are woody, and the plant does not divide as easily as many perennials. If moving is necessary, lift the plant in spring just after new growth has started and replant immediately. The plant can be propagated by layering.

Layering requires one of the more supple side stems to be carefully bent to the ground. Where the stem is touching the ground, dig a one inch deep trench. Remove all leaves except at the tip of the stem. Lay the stem in the trench and mound two inches of soil over it. Anchor the stem with a weight, such as a brick placed on top of the mound. The tip of the stem should be left exposed to grow. Eventually, the buried portion will take root and can be used to start a new plant.

Probably the most common way of propagation is by taking cuttings. Cut healthy three to four inch stems and remove leaves from the lower two-thirds. Dip the tips in rooting hormone, and place two inches deep in a pot with damp sand or perlite. Place in a sunny indoor spot and keep the rooting medium moist but not soggy. When you see new growth, roots have formed and it can be moved to a pot with potting mix. Plant outside a month or two later when it has grown enough to have substantial roots.　

To save lavender for potpourris, cut the stems when they are blooming, tie them in small bundles and hang them upside down indoors to dry for several weeks.