Seeking a high summer beauty to mellow the mood? We all know the scent of lavender, but now you can grow your own. Lavender is a perennial from the Lamiaceae family. The genus is Lavandula and species is commonly referred to as Lavandula angustifolia, English Lavender. Famous for its luxurious scent and classic shade of purple, Lavender is also extremely versatile as a cut flower and garden plant. Lavender is a wonderful filler for fresh bouquets, but also popular for creating essential oils, sachets, and dried wreaths. Once it is established - it thrives in dry soil & attracts pollinators - Lavender is an excellent candidate to line pathways, ornamental gardens and supplement soft touches and color to herb gardens.

Lavender likes full sun, so select a spot that receives a minimum of 6 - 8 hours of sunshine daily. Plant the lavender plugs in the spring after the last frost - or in the fall before the first frost. Planting in the autumn will encourage the roots to establish over the winter and promote greater growth come spring. Lavender likes clay-free, sandy, well drained soil. For best results, plant lavender in loamy soil with a PH between 6.5 to 7.5.

Lavender should be planted 12 to 18” apart, and does not require any netting nor pinching. Be sure to water regularly and check for pests. If spaced correctly when planted, there should be enough air circulation area to avoid fungal disease. Keep a look out for aphids and spittlebugs as well and action appropriately.

Lavender should be cut when dry - so cut the pretty spikes only after the morning dew has evaporated. From there you can use fresh or opt to dry. Drying is commonly achieved by hanging bundles upside down and away from sunlight. Furthermore, there are so many different varieties of English Lavender, and most have the same cultural requirements. Since they differ in size, shape and color - adding a variety of lavenders to your herb and ornamental gardens can make a great impact.