Looking after Princess Lavender is easy once you get the hang of it. Here are some tips:
1. First, provide plenty of water. Princess Lavender prefers a cool, moist environment. Regular misting of the plant with tepid water will help keep their leaves from drying out. Water the plant deeply and then allow the soil to dry out between waterings.
It’s best to water in the morning so the leaves can dry before dusk.
2. Get the right kind of pot. You’ll need a pot with drainage holes and preferably one made out of either clay or plastic. Make sure to use potting soil that contains peat moss, perlite and vermiculite.
3. Adequate lighting is important. Princess Lavender prefers a bright area away from direct sunlight. There should be several hours of diffused light each day.
4. Feed once a month. Use a balanced 20-20-20 fertilizer mix during the spring and summer months. During the winter months, you may choose to skip feeding.
5. Pruning is important for keeping your Princess Lavender healthy. Prune away any dead, damaged or overgrown leaves and stems. Trim away any flower heads that have turned brown.
6. Lastly, make sure to keep an eye out for any pests or other diseases. Keep the leaves free of dust, and check periodically for any pests such as aphids. If caught early these can be removed with a damp cloth.
When should lavender be cut back?
For best appearance and health, lavender should be cut back once a year. This should be done in late summer or early fall, after the plant has finished blooming. Depending on the variety, you may be able to cut it back twice a year: once in late spring in order to shape the plant, and again in late summer or early fall.
If you are cutting back your lavender plant, prune it back to just above where a new bunch of leaves is growing. Removing old blooms can also help increase the flowering of your lavender in the following year.
Avoid cutting back any more than a third of the plant at one time.
What happens if you don’t prune lavender?
If you don’t prune your lavender, it will eventually become overgrown and leggy, and it won’t produce as many flowers as it did when it was younger. As it ages, the leaves and stems will begin to die off, while competing with newer leaves, leading to an unhealthy plant.
Additionally, lavender typically blooms on the tips of its stems, so if you do not prune your lavender, the flowers will become fewer and fewer as the stems become overgrown. Unpruned lavender can also be more prone to disease and pests, as the overcrowding of its thick foliage can provide pests with protection and create humid conditions which can cause various diseases to spread.
Therefore, it is important to prune your lavender in the summer and winter to keep it looking its best, healthy, and blooming profusely.
Can I cut lavender back to the ground?
Yes, it is possible to cut lavender back to the ground. However, before doing so, you should understand the season and type of lavender plant you’re dealing with. Most lavender varieties flower from the end of May to late August.
If the plant you wish to cut back to the ground is in full bloom, it’s best to wait until the flowers have finished flowering before cutting it back. This will ensure the maximum display of flowers.
For perennial lavender species, it is best to wait until late winter or early spring before cutting them back to the ground. This gives your lavender ample time to form young shoots and leaves, as well as flower buds, before entering the dormant period.
Doing so will help ensure a good display of flowers in the summer.
When cutting back lavender to the ground, make sure to leave around 4-5 inches of the stem above the soil line. This will help the lavender stay healthy and improve its blooming potential. After cutting, feed the plant with lavender-specific fertilizer or a slow-release nitrogen fertilizer to help promote healthy growth and soil fertility.
On top of this, it’s essential to keep the plant well-watered and pruned during the growing season.
How do I prepare lavender for winter?
Preparing lavender for winter is a fairly straightforward process. First, if you are growing your lavender outdoors, it is important to make sure it is in the right spot before winter arrives. Lavender needs full sun and well-drained soil, so make sure to rake away any mulches or debris that may be blocking the sunlight, and amend the soil with organic matter if necessary.
Once you have verified that your lavender is planted in the right spot and the soil is prepared correctly, it’s time to start getting it ready for winter. A couple weeks before the first frost is expected, begin trimming your lavender back.
Cut back any large dead or dying stems, leaving the shorter, live stems unchanged. Trimming your lavender helps to reduce its size and provides a more manageable shape for winter.
Once your lavender is trimmed back you should add a 2” layer of mulch or compost around the base of the plant. This will help keep the roots warm and protect them from heavy winter rains. If you live in a very cold climate or have lavender in containers, cover them with a frost blanket or burlap bag to protect the foliage.
Once winter arrives, you can continue to water your lavender plants but keep the soil slightly on the dry side. Watering too frequently in winter can lead to root rot. If possible, avoid soaking the foliage and water the base of the plant instead.
With the right care and preparation, your lavender should come through the winter months and bloom again come spring.
Can I prune lavender in March?
Yes, you can prune lavender in March. Pruning lavender can be done in early spring when the plant is dormant, and March is a good time to do this. When pruning lavender, focus on removing any dead or damaged foliage as well as any branches or stems that look weak or diseased.
You can also remove some of the branches if they are overcrowding the plant or if they are not blooming as much as they should be. Be sure to sterilize your pruning tools before and after use, as this will help to prevent the spread of any diseases.
It’s also important to leave about three inches of stem when pruning, as this will help keep the plant healthy and help promote new, healthy growth.
How do you stop lavender going woody?
Lavender can become woody if not pruned correctly or fertilized correctly. To stop lavender going woody, you should prune it back every two years, in early spring. Make sure to cut back the woody stems, taking them right down to the base, and removing any dead flower heads.
Then, apply a fertilizer that’s high in potassium, such as compost or well-rotted manure, to the soil. This will promote new, vigorous growth. Additionally, make sure the lavender is properly watered and gets some sunlight for at least 6 hours per day.
If the lavender is looking dry or stressed, look for ways to improve the soil, such as adding potential amendments. Lastly, keep an eye out for pests or disease and treat them early to prevent long-term damage to the plant.
Following these steps should help to prevent lavender from going woody.
Is French Lavender toxic?
No, French Lavender is not toxic. It is considered to be an edible herb and can be found in many herbal teas and culinary dishes. Its scent has been used in aromatherapy treatments and is thought to have calming properties.
French lavender has been used to naturally scent many skin and beauty products, as it is known to be a safe and natural alternative to harsh chemical scents. It is also considered to be an effective, non-toxic insect repellent due to its strong aroma.
French Lavender is a powerful antioxidant and antibacterial agent, which has led to its use as a healing agent for various skin ailments. Therefore, it is not only considered non-toxic for humans, but for animals as well.
Should you cut lavender back?
Yes, it’s important to cut back lavender plants regularly. This will keep them healthy, compact, and blooming. Pruning should be done in late winter or early spring before the plants start actively growing.
If your lavender is overgrown, you can also prune it back in midsummer, although this will reduce flowering potential. When you prune your lavender, cut off some of the woody stems at the base of the plant, aiming for about one-third of the total stem length.
This allows for new growth that is bushier and more compact. To keep the plants full and healthy, prune them down to the desired size and shape. For culinary lavender, prune the flowers after they have finished blooming, as these will be the most fragrant.
What do you do with lavender that’s gone woody?
If you have lavender plants that have gone woody it is important to prune them in order to keep them healthy and shapely. When pruning, use sharp, sterilised pruning shears to cut off any dead, woody branches and shoots.
This will help them to maintain a healthy shape and the plants will be encouraged to produce more beneficial foliage and flowers. You should also keep your lavender plants in a sunny location to encourage new growth and flowering.
You should also remove any spindly, weak growth and dead flowers. Feed your lavender plant regularly with a general-purpose flower fertiliser and water it deeply when it is dry. If you have lavender that has gone woody, it can sometimes be rejuvenated with a light pruning – removing just the top of the stem – so don’t be too harsh when pruning.
Is lavender bad for dogs?
No, lavender is generally not bad for dogs. In fact, lavender is often used as an essential oil to provide natural relief from anxiety and stress for both humans and their pets. Just as with any other essential oil, lavender should be used carefully.
Before using it around your dog, make sure you’ve read up on the correct guidelines for lavender oil pet use. As with any supplement or natural remedy, care should be taken when using lavender oil on pets.
The key is to use it safely, always following your veterinarian’s prescribed dosage and using only pure, natural products. Also, never apply pure oil directly on your pet’s skin as it may be too strong and could cause reactions.
For topical applications, start with diluting the lavender oil in a vegetable oil such as almond or squalene, or in a product specifically designed for pets. It can be placed on the fur or pads, or a small amount given orally if your pet’s veterinarian has approved it.
What is the trick to growing lavender?
To successfully grow lavender, there are a few key things to remember. Firstly, lavender prefers hot and dry climates, so be sure to choose a spot in your garden that gets plenty of direct sunlight and has well-draining soil.
Secondly, lavender does not need a lot of fertilizer, so if you decide to fertilize your lavender, choose a balanced fertilizer that will provide the right mix of nutrients without overfertilizing. Lastly, water is essential for all plants, but lavender tolerates dry conditions better than wet ones.
When you water your lavender, be sure to water deeply and infrequently and always allow the soil to dry out completely between watering. Additionally, when pruning your lavender, remember to prune away the stems that flower to encourage new growth.
With a little extra effort and care, you can enjoy beautiful, fragrant lavender in your garden.
Can Spanish lavender survive winter?
Yes, Spanish lavender is native to the Mediterranean area and is well-equipped to survive winters in its own climate. In the United States, Spanish lavender can survive the winter in warmer climates since it is hardy to USDA Plant Hardiness Zones 8-11.
If you live in a colder climate, it is important to take measures to ensure that your Spanish lavender survives throughout the winter months. To prepare Spanish lavender for the winter, it is best to fertilize it in early autumn.
Then, protect your plants with mulch, such as wood chips, garden compost, or even straw. This will help insulate the roots from extreme cold temperatures. In addition, you can use a frost blanket around the base of the Spanish lavender plants to prevent the cold air from hitting them directly.
On particularly cold nights, you can also cover the top of the plant with a breathable fabric to trap in warmth. Doing these preparations will help extend the life of your Spanish lavender and enable them to survive the cold winter months.
What type of lavender is phenomenal?
The type of lavender that is phenomenal is the Lavandula angustifolia, commonly known as English lavender. English lavender has a sweet, aromatic scent and produces stunning clusters of purple flowers.
Not to be confused with its French cousin, Lavandula stoechas, which has a much less fragrant smell.
English lavender is the most popular type of lavender and can be used in a variety of ways, from essential oils and perfumes, to culinary recipes and herbal remedies. It is the preferred type of lavender for gardening, as it is low-maintenance and more forgiving of harsher climates.
The blooms also attract butterflies, bees, and other beneficial wildlife, making it perfect for a garden or farm.
English lavender makes a beautiful addition to any landscape and is a symbol of relaxation and tranquility. Phenomenal English lavender is an excellent choice for aromatherapists, gardeners, and beekeepers alike.
Is Goodwin Creek lavender a perennial?
Yes, Goodwin Creek Lavender is a perennial plant, meaning it will return with new growth each year. The plant, which is native to Oregon, is easy to grow, and can withstand temperatures down to 10 degrees Fahrenheit.
The dark foliage and long-lasting blooms make it an attractive addition to any garden. Goodwin Creek Lavender can be grown in a variety of soils and prefers a sunny spot with good drainage. The blooms can range in color, from light to dark purple, and the plants may reach around 3 feet in full maturity.
When planting Goodwin Creek Lavender, it is important to space them out to allow for proper air circulation and adequate sunlight exposure. To help ensure optimal growth and blooming, it is important to keep the plant well-watered during the dry season and to keep the soil lightly moist at all times.
With proper care and maintenance, these plants will add beauty to your garden for many years to come.