Wondering when to plant lavender in your garden?
This timeless herb bursts with blue-purple flowers throughout summer, attracting bees and butterflies while filling the air with its invigorating scent. In winter, it retains its evergreen structure and silvery-green hues.
Understanding how to cultivate lavender is essential, but timing is crucial for maximizing its benefits during the warm months. Our guide covers everything you need to know.
It's also important to learn how to prune lavender to maintain its health and prevent woodiness.
Ideal Times to Plant Lavender
You can plant potted lavender in mid to late spring or early fall. Take cuttings in spring, late summer, or fall, and sow seeds from February to April.
With the proper care, lavender thrives beautifully. Maryland landscape designer Kirsten Coffen notes, "A well-drained, sheltered spot makes lavender a fragrant addition to your garden. It's long-blooming and adored by bees, plus dried flowers are excellent for aromatherapy."
Lavender fits perfectly into your flower bed ideas, alongside roses, perennials, and other shrubs. It also works wonderfully as a low hedge or in containers.
Planting Lavender in Borders
If you're placing lavender in borders, April is the prime month, according to Simon Charlesworth from Downderry lavender nursery in Kent, UK. Too early planting can lead to sulking if conditions are wet. They thrive when planted and allowed to establish quickly.
As a Mediterranean native, lavender enjoys sunny, well-drained locations and dislikes excess moisture and cold.
According to Simon, you can plant in March if temperatures are mild. May is also suitable, and for late planting, September works well while the soil remains warm; early October is possible too, depending on conditions.
Ensure excellent drainage with neutral to alkaline soil, and avoid the common lavender growing mistake of fertilizing. These plants naturally grow in rocky Mediterranean terrain, so they don't require rich soil.
In cooler regions like the northern US and UK, spring planting is ideal, with full sun exposure essential. In hotter climates, fall planting is preferable, with some shade in the afternoon.
Planting Lavender in Pots
For container planting, April is the best month, ensuring they establish well before flowering, according to Simon.
For growing lavender in pots, select containers with good drainage, as lavender detests excessive moisture. Use a mix of peat-free compost and grit, placing the pot in full sunlight.
'Purity' and 'Purple Treasure' reach 15in (40cm) and thrive in pots, says Simon. For larger containers, consider 'Edelweiss' (white) for a stunning display.
Pennsylvania landscape designer Nathan Tuno from Roots Landscape Inc suggests 'Meerlo' and Walberton's Silver Edge, both variegated types. He finds great success with these in city container gardens. Ensure proper drainage and add some sand to the soil mix, as they prefer drier conditions and heat.
Sowing Lavender Seeds
Though growing lavender from seed can be challenging, it's a rewarding endeavor if you're aiming for a larger lavender display.
Sow seeds in late winter or early spring using coir Jiffy pellets for easy planting or module trays filled with moist compost. Lightly cover the seeds and place a propagator cover or plastic bag over the tray, storing it in a cool space for three to four weeks. Afterward, move them to a greenhouse or a bright windowsill.
Taking Lavender Cuttings
Creating new lavender plants from cuttings is straightforward. 'Take softwood cuttings from non-flowering stems in spring,' suggests herb supplier Jekka McVicar. 'For semi-hardwood cuttings, do so in summer or early fall from healthy new growth.'
Use sharp secateurs to snip the cuttings and place them in pots filled with grit and compost. Semi-hardwood cuttings can overwinter in a greenhouse, cold frame, or bright windowsill.
Planting a Lavender Hedge
For a lavender hedge, aim to plant in mid to late spring or early fall. Simon recommends April or September for rooting before autumn. Avoid planting in the height of summer (June to August) and during winter months (November to February).
For a hedge reaching 2ft (60cm), consider 'Folgate' (purple) or 'Arctic Snow' (white). For shorter hedges, 'Purple Treasure' and 'Purity' grow up to 15in (40cm). Trim the hedge twice a year: lightly in April and more significantly after flowering in August or September, without cutting into woody stems.
Best Time of Year for Planting Lavender
The optimal time to plant lavender is mid to late spring or early fall for potted varieties. If you prefer sowing seeds, do so between February and April, but be prepared for a bit of a challenge.
When Does Lavender Bloom?
Lavender typically flowers in late spring and summer, providing lasting blooms that reward your planting efforts with delightful fragrance and appeal to bees and butterflies in your garden.
