Lavender

Growing Conditions

Lavender requires full sun, excellent drainage, and lean soil. It is native to Mediterranean hillsides — dry, rocky, poor soil with excellent air circulation. Rich garden soil produces lush, floppy growth and root rot. Waterlogged soil in winter kills lavender more reliably than cold temperatures.

Cold climates (Zone 5): Choose cold-hardy varieties — English lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) types are the most cold-tolerant. Hidcote and Vera are reliable to Zone 5. Plant in the best-draining location available. Mulch with gravel rather than organic mulch to keep crown dry. Expect some winter die-back; prune to live wood in spring.

Warm climates: Lavender thrives in warm, dry climates. French and Spanish types (less cold-hardy) are options in Zone 7 and warmer.

Sowing & Planting

Start from transplants or cuttings rather than seed — lavender germinates slowly and variably from seed. Plant in spring after last frost. Space 18–24 inches apart. Amend heavy clay soil with grit or coarse sand to improve drainage. Raised beds are ideal in wet climates.

Care & Maintenance

Water sparingly once established — lavender is drought-tolerant and prefers dry conditions. Do not mulch with organic material around the crown. Prune after flowering: remove spent flower stalks and cut back by one-third to maintain shape. Do not cut into old wood (brown, woody stems) — lavender does not regenerate from old wood well. Annual pruning extends plant life significantly.

Common Problems

Root rot from poor drainage is the most common cause of death — site carefully. Woody, unproductive plants result from insufficient pruning — prune annually after flowering. Shab (Phoma lavandulae) causes dieback in wet conditions — improve drainage and air circulation. In Zone 5, some winter dieback is normal; prune to live wood in spring.

Harvest

Harvest flower stalks when about half the flowers on a spike have opened — this is when fragrance is strongest. Cut with several inches of stem. Bundle and hang upside down to dry in a warm, well-ventilated location. Dried lavender retains fragrance for 1–2 years. For culinary use, harvest flowers and remove from stems.

Varieties

Hidcote is one of the most cold-hardy English lavenders — compact, dark purple flowers, reliable in Zone 5. Munstead is another cold-hardy English type, slightly larger. Vera (Dutch lavender) is tall with large flower heads and good fragrance. French lavender (Lavandula dentata) and Spanish lavender (L. stoechas) have distinctive butterfly-wing bracts but are only hardy to Zone 7. For Zone 5, stick with English lavender varieties.