Okay you successful Lavender growers, I need input and encouragement. I've committed Lavender murder more times than I can count, (I think the folks at my local herb nursery may have me on some sort of a repeat offenders list ) but I love it and so I keep trying. Now, I don't want to put my shoulder out of joint as I pat myself on the back, but I have finally managed to grow a Lavender plant that has survived my care for a full year (well, almost a year, I'm sure I bought it last spring). I've had it growing in a large pot, but now I'd like to add it to one of the beds. It has remained green all winter, though it is more than a little straggly looking now. So, my questions ~ Is this the wrong time of year to transplant my Spanish Lavender plant? And, if it is okay to do so now, should I prune it at the same time? And, if I should cut it back, should I shear it back hard or just trim lightly? Oh, and if you have any other helpful hints, please enlighten me, seriously, nothing is too basic :-? . . . PLEASE STOP ME BEFORE I KILL AGAIN!
I think we may be related. I've killed more lavender than I'll admit too. I'm afraid I can't help you unless you'd like it to succumb to some mysterious ailment. Dooley
Guys, I am so scared now. I did'nt know growing lavender is so hard. I just sowed some lavender seeds. Nothing sprouted yet in 2 weeks. If experienced gardeners like you failed at it then what shot do I have. I hate to admit it, but I have killed so many plants(usually store bought) before that I had given up gardening for 3 years.
http://www.mountainvalleygrowers.com/la ... ndtips.htm http://gardening.about.com/od/perennials/a/Lavender.htm http://www.goodwincreekgardens.com/ Oodles of info on all types of lavender. I have lost 3 of my 4 lavenders this winter :'( but it was due to the weather. They like hot and dry so don't water them everytime you water the regular flowers, like ivy they will droop when they need water.
I've never had any joy with growing lavender from seed so I've always grown it either from a cutting or cheated and bought one from a garden centre. I have 6 different types in the garden that have overwintered well here in Scotland. I cut off the flowers once they'd faded and trimmed the bushes back in early autumn.
Awww, Tina, don't be discouraged, we have all committed MANY plant homicides. I like to think of them as sacrifices to Mother Nature, when she gets her fill, maybe she'll let me keep a few for a while. Be fearless, :-D grow loads of plants . . . she can't eat 'em all! Ooooh, so I'm running just a tad behind, schedule-wise swell!
Yes indeed, lavender loves poor care-dry, hot and not too much fertilizer. Mine will be going good and then a lot of rain...I just can't talk about it. :'( But I will NEVER give up. Don't you just love that stuff? A friend of mine has better drainage and is not a very good gardener (sorry Friend) and hers does Great.
I had a beautiful lavender plant at our old house. Moved it when we moved and it hasn't done well since. Now I know why - the spot it is planted in is always wet. Must move it in the spring.
I've been very lucky with Lavender I guess. Mine gets very little attention and even less water. I give it a trim late spring when I see exactly what parts have winter kill and then leave it alone.
Thanks everyone, those are great links Toni. So then, would you say that I can transplant it now if I choose a dry, sunny location, and that I can cut it back at the same time? Do you think I should prune hard or lightly? :-D I do see new growth points forming along the stems.
I transplanted a rather large one from pot to ground about two weeks ago and it is doing fine. I would have trimmed it already if February hadn't started attacking me. But that is one of the things I will be doing today. I trim back in the spring after making sure there is some new growth coming up and trim back to about 6 inches above the ground (or just above the new growth). Eileen, I had saved seeds from my first lavender but they have a very short shelf life so I don't know that it is really worth it, I buy new ones at the Garden Center. I keep the flowers cut thru the blooming season, dry them and use them in soap and put some in muslin bags for sachets.
