Growing up to 100 centimeters high, the true lavender not only cuts a fine figure in the garden with its purple or blue flowers, but is also traditionally used as a medicinal and spice plant. However, it should not be confused with lavandin (Lavandula intermedia) or high spikenard (Lavandula latifolia).
Contents
- 1 What is the right location?
- 2 How often does the true lavender need to be watered?
- 3 Do I have to fertilize the true lavender regularly?
- 4 When should you prune the true lavender?
- 5 What needs special attention when growing in a tub?
- 6 Is the true lavender hardy?
- 7 What should be considered when winter readying the true lavender?
- 8 Author
What is the right location?
Since the true lavender has its home in the Mediterranean countries, it also prefers a location that is as sunny and lean as possible.
How often does the true lavender need to be watered?
True lavender tolerates drought very well and therefore needs watering only when the substrate is already thoroughly dry. Waterlogging should be avoided at all costs.
Do I have to fertilize the true lavender regularly?
You should also be very sparing with fertilizer with true lavender, as the plant is adapted to very lean soils. Especially very nitrogenous fertilization, for example by horn shavings (26,00€ at Amazon*) or manure, should be avoided.
When should you prune the true lavender?
The true lavender becomes woody over time and then tends to become bald. For this reason, it should be cut back hard in early spring and a second time after flowering. However, you should not cut into the old wood, because lavender then sprouts again with difficulty.
What needs special attention when growing in a tub?
When cultivating in a container, waterlogging is a particular problem, so good pot drainage should always be provided (for example, by clay granules or similar).
Is the true lavender hardy?
Basically, Lavandula angustifolia is less susceptible to frosty temperatures than the other lavender species. Many modern varieties have already been selected for winter hardiness and can therefore be overwintered outdoors.
What should be considered when winter readying the true lavender?
When overwintering outdoors, however, it is often not only the cold temperatures that are problematic, but also the humidity: in wet winters, drought-loving lavender de facto rots, while especially in mild winters with temperatures around freezing, the risk of withering is very high. So good protection is useful early on, with fir or spruce branches being particularly suitable. Please refrain from mulching the plant, as this will leave it too moist.
Tips
Traditionally, roses and lavender like to be planted together, but actually the two plant species do not fit together due to their very different needs in terms of location and care.
