Lavenders will ‘struggle to survive’ in certain areas of the garden

Lavenders will ‘struggle to survive’ in certain areas of the garden

04/25/2023

Gardening tips: Expert on how to grow lavender at home

Lavenders are exquisitely-fragranced plants that are perfect for beds and borders and containers. The tough shrubs are usually hardy which means they can survive the UK’s unpredictable winter weather.

The plants can be characterised by their silver-grey leaves and ability to survive droughts.

There are a plethora of different lavender varieties that range in flower colour, hardiness, fragrance and size.

The two most common lavender varieties are hardy English lavenders and French lavenders which are tender.

While the plants are easy to grow, there are certain areas of the garden and positions the plant doesn’t suit.

Jack Sutcliffe, the co-founder of Power Sheds, has shared exclusively with Express.co.uk the areas of the garden to “avoid” planting lavenders as the shrub will “struggle to survive”. 

The plant expert has also shared his advice on planting, pruning, watering, repotting and feeding lavender plants.

Planting

Lavenders thrive in full sunlight and like to be in an open position in the garden. They also like to be planted in well-drained, neutral to alkaline soil.

The expert added: “Make sure to avoid any shaded, or cold areas of your garden when planting lavender as it will struggle to survive.”

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Pruning

Pruning is key when it comes to looking after lavender as the plant can easily become woody, unattractive and leggy. 

Pruning the plants regularly will also improve flowering. The plants need to be pruned in late winter or early spring before new growth begins.

“When pruning, cut back the stems to about six inches above the ground and remove any dead or diseased stems,” Jack said. 

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Watering

Unlike other plants, lavender does not need to be watered regularly as it does not like being waterlogged.

The soil should be allowed to dry out between waterings but should be watered deeply. 

Repotting

Like popular hydrangeas, lavender needs to be repotted every two to three years. Remember to put the plant in a pot with large drainage holes and mix in grit to improve its drainage.

Lavenders can wilt soon after being repotted, however, gardeners should not worry as this is a normal reaction.

Due to a change in soil conditions, the plant will take time to adjust. During this phase, the plant will show signs of wilting but it will eventually improve.

Feeding

Gardeners need to feed lavender plants with a balanced fertiliser once a month during the growing season – but be careful not to overfeed the plant.

However, gardeners will need to stop fertilising in late summer to allow the plant to prepare itself for the colder winter months.

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