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Too early for lavender?

DelsieDelsie Posts: 28
in Plants
I've been itching to plant some lavender since late last summer, but was advised to wait until spring.  I've just ordered some of the hidcote variety, but I've seen on the pages here that it's best to wait until May.  Have I just wasted a load of money?
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  • fidgetbonesfidgetbones Posts: 16,695
    Depends on what size you have ordered. I ordered a special offer one year, lots of tiny plugs. They need growing on a year in 3 inch pots before planting out. If they are in 3 inch pot size or bigger, they can go straight out.
  • KiliKili Posts: 1,045
    It depends on where you are.
    I have Lavender cuttings  in my greenhouse from last summer and there all sprouting new growth now. The lavender I took those cuttings from outside have no new growth yet. I suspect it will be 2-3 weeks before they start to put on new growth.

    If you have a greenhouse, cold frame, cloche or a sunny porch stick them in there until May.

    'The power of accurate observation .... is commonly called cynicism by those that have not got it.

    George Bernard Shaw'

  • DelsieDelsie Posts: 28
    They're in 1.5  - 2 litre pots.  Apparently this is 4.5 inches, so should be good to go.
  • DelsieDelsie Posts: 28
    Kili said:
    It depends on where you are.
    I have Lavender cuttings  in my greenhouse from last summer and there all sprouting new growth now. The lavender I took those cuttings from outside have no new growth yet. I suspect it will be 2-3 weeks before they start to put on new growth.

    If you have a greenhouse, cold frame, cloche or a sunny porch stick them in there until May.
    I'm in London.  I've no greenhouse or any of those things.  Only a shed.
  • AnniDAnniD Posts: 11,428
    If you're in London and the plants are  in pots that size, you should be fine  :)
  • EmptyheadtimeEmptyheadtime Posts: 234
    I just bought another ‘tray’ of 6 lavenders that I potted up into 4” pots outside. I did the same last year and I have just planted those ones out this week. I tend to do this with my lavenders as it’s £7 for 6 plants this way, grow them on, plant them out, enjoy them for a few years then dig them out once leggy and replace them with the ones I have ready to go in the pots.
  • DelsieDelsie Posts: 28
    Plants arrived today. 😁 2x hidcote lavender, 2 x hebe James Sterling. 

    Weather forecast says temperature will drop by this time next week, and frost is to return. I don't have a greenhouse. Should I still plant them out, or keep in centrally heated house and keep watering until frost has past?

  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 52,097
    I wouldn't be worried about that Hebe. It's a very tough variety, and not like many of the other varieties. 
    I don't like lavender so I don't grow it, but you may want to be more cautious with it for a short while.
    Many plants are grown under cover so it can pay to be a bit careful for a few days. Certainly get them out through the day in a sheltered spot. I'd not be worried here about doing that, and then just planting them  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • AnniDAnniD Posts: 11,428
    edited March 2022
    Hidcote is a tough variety, but it might be that the plants have been mollycoddled a bit. I wouldn't keep them in a centrally heated house, but just put them up against the house wall if you want to wait.
    The soil will be warm, but the air temperature might affect the top growth. Where you are in the UK and your local circumstances will have a bearing as well (exposed/sheltered site etc.). As you're in London where the ambient temperature is usually a few degrees higher, you should be OK.

  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 83,870
    I’d put the pots up against the wall of your house … that’ll be sheltered enough for them. 😊 

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





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