Lavender planting and care - simple growing rules
Content:
Lavender, lavender. It is not for nothing that such wonderful songs are composed about her. This is a truly evergreen, unpretentious and insanely beautiful shrub, which, by the way, can be easily grown in your garden. If you still think that planting lavender is possible only in the south of Russia, you are deeply mistaken. And today lavender is successfully grown in central Russia. However, in order for lavender to please your eyes, you need to know a few rules.
What place to choose for planting lavender.
Many gardeners are afraid to plant it in their garden, as they believe that it will not take root or will not fit into the design of the garden. However, this is not the case, today lavender is used to make wonderful borders around the paths. And every day, passing through them and touching the bushes with your foot, you will inhale the magical aroma of this plant, even when there are no flowers on the lavender. Depending on the variety, lavender can reach different heights - from 30 to 70 cm. Therefore, when choosing a lavender variety, immediately think about where the lavender will be planted. In addition, lavender goes well with completely different plants.
Gardeners successfully use it to create unique designs, combining with tall and short plants that bloom all season. Sometimes lavender is planted next to yellow, red and orange plants to create contrast. At the same time, it is important to ensure that nearby plants do not create shade for the lavender and do not block the sun for it. Lavender goes well with roses, oregano, mint and sage. In such a unique design, in addition to a wonderful visual combination, you will inhale an incredible aroma every time you come to the garden. Sometimes it is appropriate to plant just a lavender field, which will delight your eyes with a pleasant blue, and also surprise with a magical scent.
Planting lavender in the ground
If you have decided that you will definitely plant lavender in your garden, then you need to choose the right place for it. Depending on the variety, lavender is planted at different distances, so be sure to check the planting rules when buying seeds. Think in advance that, growing up, lavender occupies a certain space around its axis, usually the diameter ranges from 70 to 30 cm, so when planting bushes, count on the fact that they should touch each other, but not creep.
Planting scheme for lavender.
It should be noted that lavender loves neutral or slightly alkaline soil. In addition, lavender is very fond of the sun and does not like stagnant water. Therefore, the soil must be light. Lavender, in principle, is able to survive in partial shade, but it will not bloom so abundantly in such conditions.
Planting lavender and caring for it in the country.
It may be strange for you to hear, but there is practically no need to care for lavender. She does not like fertilizers, as originally wild-growing lavender grew on rocky and sandy soils. Therefore, in principle, it can do without watering for a long time. However, lavender should still be pruned.
Pruning lavender flowers.
In fact, you do not need to prune lavender, however, if you want to contemplate more tidy bushes, you need to thin out the bushes regularly. Remember to prune after flowering, shortening the shoots by one third of their length. In principle, you can cut it and 2 times a year - in early spring and after flowering.
Wintering lavender.
Lavender does not need to be covered for the winter.And many gardeners, reinsured, are doing themselves a disservice. The fact is that lavender shelter for the winter often leads to the development of fungal diseases, and sometimes the lavender simply vomits out. But in the northern regions, you still cannot do without shelter.
When lavender blooms after planting.
In addition to the pleasant aroma and beautiful flowers, these bushes have a fairly bountiful harvest, gardeners are very fond of cutting the first flowers and drying them in order to use them in the future for making tea, various cosmetics and other things. As with all flowering plants, only one rule works here, you should only cut the first flowers. It is they who have the greatest aroma, and also accumulate nutritional and medicinal properties in their inflorescences and, of course, essential oils.
How to split lavender when planting in the ground.
For the first time, you can grow lavender from seeds. In garden stores, as always, there is a huge selection of products, they usually offer different varieties and types of lavender, which differ in height, width, and even the color of the bushes, usually lavender is grown first for seedlings, and then transplanted to a permanent habitat. After your lavender has grown, you can cut and lay it. Gardeners note: all breeding methods are good for lavender. So plant lavender in your garden and don't be afraid that it will cause you a lot of trouble. In fact, lavender is very easy to care for and unpretentious.