Dealing with winter damage in lavender. Damage to lavender is significant, especially on the lavandins (Lavandula x intermedia). When the temperature dip below the freezing point, do heavy mulching and cover lavenders 50 Its taller than some, at 18-24 inches, making it ideal for flower bouquets and sachets. Hidcote can tolerate cold Winters, with snow, frost and temperatures as low as -15C (5F) on occasion so there is not much that the plant requires in terms of maintenance, however there are some best practices:. Lavender loves full sun, but it also likes afternoon shade in hot climates. The 3-foot plants that need to be pruned in town grow only 12 inches high in my garden, with my shorter season. Who doesnt long for a lavender hedgerow? This beautiful, fragrant herb is a great addition to raised beds, in-ground gardens, and growing in containers. Type it into the search bar above or email me at carole@herebydesign.net. Check out my instagram at carole.herebydesign. And thats no small feat for a species that originated in the dry, hot climates of Africa, Europe and Asia. I'm a landscape designer and Maryland Master Gardener living in the Washington, DC area. If planting in the fall, use larger, more established plants to ensure survival through the winter. To understand the hype, I bought three plants last year to carry out a trial run. Your Lavender's crown should stick up about 1 in. While most lavender plants survive well without a great deal of fuss over the winter months, a few winter precautions help keep the plants looking their best. Then harvest stems for their fragrant foliage and flowers from late spring through the midsummer months, but stop harvesting in late August or early September. Lavender is prized for its richly fragrant flowers and aromatic foliage. Lavandula x intermedia Provence in February. Regardless of the variety, if your plant is located in part shade (or worse, shade), it isnt happy. English lavender blooms in l Lavender is a perennial plant that grows in a bushy form with tall, vertical spikes. Phenomenals wands of deep purple flowers are highly fragrant, which according to its breeders, is due to the plants high oil content. Herbaceous perennials die back to the ground in the winter and come back to life with the bright, warm days of spring. But if you experience heavy winter snow, you can minimize snow damage by shearing the plants into mounds in late summer, provided you only cut back younger stems and avoid cutting into old wood, because this promotes tender young growth that's easily damaged by cold. Pruning the lavender into a mound shape helps the plant resist weather. Lavender is a woody perennial, meaning that the plant will continue to blossom yearly, but only the stems remain through the winter. So why is Phenomenal lavender being used in municipal plantings? Winter Care. Late fall preparation for winter ensures healthy lavender plants come spring. You can also take a potted lavender indoors for the winter, keeping it in a sunny window, but water it lightly only every week or two while it's resting. You just need to follow two simple rules and stick to it. Learn how your comment data is processed. The plant looks amazing in winter, maintaining its silver-grey foliage atop a neat, compact mound. But if you experience heavy winter snow, you can minimize snow damage by shearing the plants into mounds in late summer, provided you only cut back younger stems and avoid cutting into old wood, because this promotes tender young growth that's easily damaged by cold. These are the workhorses of Lavender. Plan the perfect garden with our interactive tool , Penn State University Horticulture Department, Missouri Botanical Garden: Genus -- Lavandula, Lockwood Lavender Farm: Preparing Lavender for the Winter Montths. English lavender does well in zones 5-8. Lavandula stoechas Ballerina A frost Lavender does not like much water after the first year. (2 cm) above the soil. These little wonder plants can tolerate both heat and severe cold. Lavender thrives in most soil qualities, from poor to moderately fertile. Most importantly, since lavender likes things dry, you should go easy on the mulch (whose job is to retain moisture.) It also improves the overall looks of the plant and enables it to better survive the winter. Look for highly-compressed flower spikes with large, showy but sterile bracts to Lavender plants really do look dead in the winter, even though they arent. It helps it to grow bigger and stronger with more flowers each spring! Chances are that after six years, I've covered it. Phenomenal lavenders flowers are highly fragrant. Winter care for lavender plants is very simple and straightforward, centering almost entirely on protecting the plants' roots from both cold temperatures and winds and the attendant drought that comes with them. And they avoid old wood. Now, thanks to Phenomenal, we Americans can grow the classic, purple hedgerows that so remind us of France. Dormant plants will turn brown along the branches, while Moreover, the flowers are darker than most traditional lavenders and they last longer; blooming from mid-summer all the way until fall. Your main goal in pruning lavender is to prepare it for the ravages of winter by reducing its size, weight, and density. I blog about new trends in horticulture, inspiring gardens Herbaceous perennials die back to the ground in the winter and come back to life with the bright, warm days of spring. Further, it redirects energy into developing strong roots, which according to Watkins, results in a thicker, healthier plant. Winter Care For Lavender Plants. French and Spanish lavender are more drought tolerant than the English types. Water the lavender plants deeply one last time before the first killing frost of fall to help reduce the coming drought stress of winter and prepare for spring growth. But for me, Phenomenals strongest appeal lies in its hardiness. Exceptionally tolerant of both hot and cold weather, Phenomenal lavender is built to withstand natures trials. Look for large pots. Look for the Lavandin's long, greenish-gray leaves and rounded appearance. They have to be moved indoors to survive the winter in colder zones. Though snow cover offers some insulation against extreme cold, melting and thawing can leave portions of plants unprotected, and long durations of extreme cold will eventually take their toll. Then harvest stems for their fragrant foliage and flowers from late spring through the midsummer months, but stop harvesting in late August or early September. And who doesnt yearn for a taste of Provence? Keep it away from the base of the plant, or better yet, consider mulches like ground shells or white gravel to reflect light back onto the plant and to allow for better drainage. These days, lavender is commonplace in most American gardens. That means 6 hours or more of direct sunlight a day. If you live in a colder climate, this is the variety for you. Hi there! Copyright Leaf Group Ltd. // Leaf Group Lifestyle. Lavender Care For Winter Survival Making your lavender survive the winter does not need to be complicated. It is generally low-growing and has a compact mounded shape. Check out Soleado Lavender Farm, a family-owned business located in Dickerson, Maryland. Want to see more of my gardens, including plant lists? 6. Do not look All Rights Reserved. The lavender has a wilting or drooping appearance and the foliage is turning brown or yellow. But wait theres more! There are 3 main types of Lavenders with different blooming seasons: Lavandula stoechas (Spanish Lavender), Lavandula angustifolia (English Lavender) and Lavandula x intermedia (Lavandin). Once harvesting is done, you can leave the plant uncut for the winter.But if you experience heavy winter snow, you can minimize snow damage by shearing the Just before frost and winter arrives prune your lavender plant to one third of its height, at least three weeks prior to first frost date to reduce its size and density. Some are early bloomers, with their magnificent blooms appearing in early spring. Lavender is a woody perennial, so it does continue to grow from year to year, but the stems remain upright through the winter in preparation for new spring growth. Space lavender plants 12 to 18 inches apart in an area with plenty of sunlight and sandy, well-drained soil with a pH of 6.7 to 7.3. The plant looks amazing in winter, maintaining its silver-grey foliage atop a neat, compact mound. But for me, Phenomenals strongest appeal lies in its hardiness.