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LAVENDERS

thistletown71thistletown71 Posts: 89
in Plants
Hello All

Are all lavenders perennials? Which ones would be winter hardy?

Thanks

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  • thistletown71thistletown71 Posts: 89
    Which one has the strongest fragrance?

  • MarlorenaMarlorena Posts: 7,930
    Winter hardy - English Lavender [Lavender x angustifolia] or Lavender x intermedia varieties.
    French Lavenders are less hardy.

    Strongest  Fragrance - most are fragrant, especially the intermedia types, which make larger plants.   'Gros Bleu' is especially fragrant with a dark, rich colour.

    For English Lavender with particularly strong fragrance, I recommend 'Maillette' and 'No. 9'.   It is these Lavenders one usually sees in Lavender fields across England and France, as they most provide the scents for Lavender Oils.. 

    'Maillette' is longest flowering, into autumn.  'No. 9' is June/July only.. 
    East Anglia, England
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 52,214
    Whatever you choose, be prepared to keep replacing them @thistletown71 . They don't do terribly well up here, although you have slightly drier conditions up there which often helps.  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • thistletown71thistletown71 Posts: 89
    Thanks Marlorena. Very informative and useful.
    Thanks again Fairygirl. Much appreciated.
  • Joyce GoldenlilyJoyce Goldenlily Posts: 2,326
    thistletown71 said:
    Thanks Marlorena. Very informative and useful.
    Thanks again Fairygirl. Much appreciated.
    I have found giving the plants a light dusting of lime a couple of times a year, Spring and Autumn has helped me to keep my lavenders going for much longer than before. I kept on losing mine after a couple of years and the French Lavenders rarely lasted more than one year so gave up on them. 
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 52,214
    It's the climate up here that doesn't suit them, although the north east is much drier than the west, which can make a difference.
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • PlantmindedPlantminded Posts: 2,291
    They really don't like being cold and wet over winter so it's a good idea to prepare your soil well before planting.  Add lots of horticultural grit to your soil - they need really good drainage.  (I'd use up to 50% grit.)  Also, don't add any fertiliser - they prefer impoverished soil. Keep them watered while they are establishing but once they are growing well, they enjoy dry, hot conditions, if that's possible!
    Wirral. Sandy, free draining soil.
  • Native58Native58 Posts: 46
    Reading the earlier comments, do you think that lavenders wouldn't do well in Shetland?  
    Thanks
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