Lavender

Growing

Achieving success with English lavender depends entirely on your ability to manage moisture and soil drainage. While this woody shrub is incredibly drought tolerant once established, it is highly sensitive to waterlogged roots. When preparing your garden bed, ensure the soil is gritty and well-draining; if your native soil is heavy clay, consider planting in raised beds or containers to prevent rot. This plant thrives in a slightly alkaline to neutral environment, so aim for a pH between 6.0 and 8.0.

When you are ready to harvest the fragrant flowers, do so when they are in full bloom for the best scent. Because lavender does not continue to ripen after being picked, timing is essential. For those growing compact varieties like 'Munstead' or 'Hidcote', you can easily use them as low hedging, whereas larger cultivars like 'Alba' or 'Bridestowe' may require more space. To maintain a tidy, bushy shape and prevent the center of the plant from becoming too woody, prune the stems after the flowering season has ended.

If you intend to use the blossoms for culinary or aromatic purposes, harvest them unwashed to prevent mold. The best way to preserve the essential oils and fragrance is to dry the flower spikes in a cool, dark place. This allows you to enjoy the scent throughout the colder months when the plant is dormant.