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French lavender

Red mapleRed maple Posts: 734
in Plants
Ive risked buying a couple of French lavender plants again - they look so lovely. However, in the past, they haven't been frost hardy, and I've list them. The label assures me these are, but I'm still left wondering if I would be as well planting them into pots rather than the ground so I can over winter in either the green house or protected spot? What do some of you think? I live in Yorkshire, but not out in the wilds! Be glad of any advice. They are Lavandula stoechas King B purple.
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  • Red mapleRed maple Posts: 734
    lLost them, not lust them!
  • Red mapleRed maple Posts: 734
    Oh dear, fat finger syndrome! Lost, not lust!!
  • Mr. Vine EyeMr. Vine Eye Posts: 2,332
    I planted a Stoechas in the ground last year and it did fine over winter. Mine is 'Helmsdale' which is reasonably hardy I think (quick google search)

    It's just starting to flower now.
    East Yorkshire
  • BijdezeeBijdezee Posts: 1,484
    I dont know about the frost hardiness of your particular variety but I'm trying one again this year too. I'm going to keep in in a pot because the soil gets very wet in winter here so. I'm hoping it will have more chance.

    What I have noticed with these slightly tender plants is that it helps if the soil has very good drainage. If the soil is very wet and there is a hard frost it causes more damage as there's more water to freeze. 
  • amancalledgeorgeamancalledgeorge Posts: 2,321
    I planted twenty Anouk French lavender plants on our front garden a year ago...they have doubled in size and have been buzzing with happy bees for a couple of months already. Beautiful colour and fragrance. 
    To Plant a Garden is to Believe in Tomorrow
  • Red mapleRed maple Posts: 734
    You your plants look wonderful, amancalledgeorge.
  • LTobyLToby Posts: 224
    I bought two plants this year and potted them as I like to move them around the house when they grow taller. 

    Aberdeenshire, Scotland
  • Red mapleRed maple Posts: 734
    Thank you to you all for your comments.
    In the end, I decided to place them into pots and sit them on a sunny border, but then just before the first frosts will move them to a sheltered position either in the green house or by the house wall covered with fleece. Probably the greenhouse if room. (It’s only a very small one.)
  • MarlorenaMarlorena Posts: 7,824
    I left my 'Helmsdale' out all winter in pots... no damage done... I have two..both flowering well right now.. but I didn't get worse than -5C... 

    @amancalledgeorge ..George, I love your border there.. I didn't see it before... 
    East Anglia, England
  • Red mapleRed maple Posts: 734
    I think I’m being wary because I have bought French lavenders in the past and lost them to the frosts. This variety claims to be hardy (I can’t remember to what temperature without going out and reading the label), but I think I want to err on the side of caution. I’m a bit further north than you, Malorena, being in South Yorkshire, which might have some bearing on what to do come wintertime, ( though I’m certainly no expert, just learning as I go along, really  :) ).
    Thanks for your reply.
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