This is a blog post on growing and harvesting Lavender. Lavender is known for its fragrant flowers and aromatic foliage. It is also relatively easy to flower. There are many different types/ varieties of lavender flowers. Do choose them according to the level of hardiness. The English lavender and it’s hybrids (Lavenda Angustifolia and L. x intermedia) can withstand winter frost in well-draining soil. This variety produces fragrant flowers with a strong lavender scent. The leaves are silvery in colour with it produces abundance of strong purple coloured flowers.
Of course, there are other varieties of Lavender but they are just less hardy. The common ones are the french ones (Lavendula stoechas). They tend to be short-lived and it best to grow them in pots/ containers. This so as to bring them in during winter in order to keep them frost-free.
Growing and harvesting Lavender
It is possible to grow lavender from seed. It was exactly what I did last year when came in April during the lockdown the garden centers was shut. Many of them didn’t do online deliveries. I bought some seeds online it was a french lavender variety. It sprouted easily after sowing it undercover in April. Once the risk of frost was over it was transferred to the ground in a sunny spot outside. Of course, it is much better to buy an established plant from garden centres as they to be much bigger and stronger. There are many places online that sell Lavender seeds. As said earlier on do choose the British varieties as they tend to be hardier.
It is also possible to grow Lavender from cuttings as well. Seeds collected from existing plants may vary from parent plant. So it is best to buy Lavender seeds from seed suppliers or garden centres.
Lavender looks great grown on the border, herb pots, or on low border edge. It is a Mediterranean plant, therefore, it needs a lot of sun and well-drained soil. It will thrive on any clay soil or waterlogged soil over the winter. Do give them some space for them to grow.
Pruning Lavender
Do prune them as they can grow woody and ungainly. It doesn’t grow out of old woody stems so don’t prune too much. Prune them in spring or in the late summer. Once they get too old it loses shape. As they are easy to grow do replace the plants once they get too old.
Harvesting flowers
Once the Lavender plant starts producing flowers. The flowers can be harvested for all sorts of purposes from decorative to be used as edible flowers. Flowers can be used fresh or dried.
Thank you for reading and dropping by. Do have a look at my other grow tips like growing and harvesting mint.
