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Lavender

peteSpeteS Posts: 886
in Plants
Has anyone grown lavender on a small scale, Hidcote or Munstead in particular. I know it can look fantastic when used in large planting schemes, but I'm talking about maybe 10 plants grown in close proximity to each other in a small space, interspersed between other plants and roses. Many thanks.
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  • Bright starBright star Posts: 1,130
    I’ve planted a row of Lavender under my front window it’s a mixture of Hidcote and a white one called Purity. It looks lovely and is always covered in bees in the summer. With hindsight I would have just planted the Hidcote for more impact. In the autumn I planted along either side of a new patio with another lavender called Olympia (6 plants either side) which has a larger more silver leaf with deep  blue flower heads. There are roses and achillea planted nearby these lavenders so it will be interesting to see how they do. My other lavenders I grow in pots and just group them with other plants also in pots.
    Life's tragedy is that we get old too soon and wise too late.

  • edhelkaedhelka Posts: 2,278
    I have 10 varieties of lavender, from dwarf ones to really big ones, all the main types - English, French and intermedia. And you know I don't have space for large planting schemes. They are really versatile and can be used in many ways. Edging, low hedges, mixed with other plants or the big ones as feature plants. They are also evergreen and give good structure all year round and their greyish foliage goes with everything. I couldn't be without them.
  • peteSpeteS Posts: 886
    @Bright star
    Interesting insight on how to use it on a small scale. Sounds pretty much how I would like to grow it, amongst roses and other perennials.
    How long is the flowering season and, considering we aren't often blessed with long hot summers in the north (assuming it is the Wrea Green  near Blackpool) how does it seem to cope with our weather.
  • Bright starBright star Posts: 1,130
    They do ok, Hidcote flowers mid summer time, I usually prune hard back straight after flowering and sometimes get a few more flowers, it greens up nicely again ready for next year.  The others in pots flower at different times which is good. 
    I buy my lavenders from this website which I think is exceptional, so much information on pruning with a really detailed video to watch, so many different types of lavender and rosemary. Any queries I’ve had have been answered promptly. 

    https://downderry-nursery.co.uk/

    @edhelka have you tried growing any tender lavenders? I tried last year without much success, they die at temperatures below +5 degrees.
    Life's tragedy is that we get old too soon and wise too late.

  • edhelkaedhelka Posts: 2,278
    @Bright star I haven't but considered them - I like the choice from Downderry nursery too. I also have very pretty dwarf rosemary from them.
  • Bright starBright star Posts: 1,130
    Which one did you get if you don’t mind me asking? They also have a variegated variety which I like the look of but have bought so many plants recently that it will have to wait till next year now!
    Life's tragedy is that we get old too soon and wise too late.

  • Bright starBright star Posts: 1,130
    @peteS, it is the Wrea Green not far from Blackpool, we have quite a mild climate round here and some tender plants will survive in the ground if I give them a good mulch. But not the tender lavender, that went into the garage which I thought was warmer than it is in the winter. The Hidcote/ Purity row under my window is in full sun all day. 
    Life's tragedy is that we get old too soon and wise too late.

  • edhelkaedhelka Posts: 2,278
    Sorcerer's Apprentice
  • Bright starBright star Posts: 1,130
    That look great. Thx
    Life's tragedy is that we get old too soon and wise too late.

  • peteSpeteS Posts: 886
    @Bright star, @edhelka...I've just read lavender thrives in poor, sandy soil which is quite the opposite to the soil it will be going into with me. Mine is rich, with years of manure and compost added. So maybe soil made up for growing roses may not be suitable for lavender.
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