{"id":19021,"date":"2023-02-14T01:00:59","date_gmt":"2023-02-14T00:00:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.gardensillustrated.com\/?p=2718"},"modified":"2023-02-15T14:36:38","modified_gmt":"2023-02-15T13:36:38","slug":"favourite-lavenders-for-a-low-maintenance-garden","status":"publish","type":"rss_feed","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/gardensillustrated\/rss_feed\/favourite-lavenders-for-a-low-maintenance-garden\/","title":{"rendered":"Favourite lavenders for a low maintenance garden"},"content":{"rendered":"

Lavender is a very versatile, low maintenance plant to grow and is suitable for gardens of all sizes. Here is a list of favourite lavender cultivars, along with tips on how best to grow and maintain them <\/p>

By Klaudia Mihalova\n \t\t<\/p>

Published: Tuesday, 14 February 2023 at 12:00 am<\/p>

\n\n

Lavender is a wonderful plant to grow in the garden. Not only does it have a stunning fragrance, reminiscent of warm summer evenings, but its flower spikes in varying shades of purple are so versatile and will lift any border or container display. Lavenders are low maintenance plants and needing little watering<\/a>, unless planted in containers. They cope well with both drought<\/a> and frosts are will reliably come back, year after year. A great choice if you\u2019re time poor but still desire a spectacular display.<\/p>\n

Bastin Nursery\u00a0in the Netherlands has a renowned collection of Mediterranean plants, which includes well over a hundred different lavenders. if you\u2019re thinking of buying a lavender but need some inspiration for which lavender plant to buy, take a look at nursery owner, Roger Bastin\u2019s favourite types.<\/p>\n

How to care for lavender<\/h2>\n

\u00a0Pruning lavender<\/h3>\n

Pruning is essential. At the nursery, we regularly pinch out the new growth on cuttings\u00a0and young plants to stimulate lateral branching. Keep this up when you\u2019ve just planted\u00a0young lavenders.<\/p>\n

When to prune lavender<\/h4>\n

Prune in spring to stimulate growth and prune in autumn to retain shape. Make sure you\u2019ve finished pruning by the beginning of October, preferably earlier. Once the flowering season is over, there is no need to wait. One big advantage is the plant will continue to grow and you\u2019ll spend your winter looking at beautiful silvery grey balls rather than bare branches. Be a bit more careful with Lavandula <\/em>x intermedia<\/em>, though, as it is much less hardy.<\/p>\n

Fertilising lavender<\/h3>\n

There is hardly ever a need to fertilise lavender. And don\u2019t water them, unless they are in pots.<\/p>\n

When to plant lavender<\/h3>\n

Lavenders can be planted year-round, unless it\u2019s freezing. The best time is October. Before planting, work lots of lime into the soil, about four times as much as the packaging says. Every two to three years add a maintenance dose, as prescribed. Note, however, that\u00a0Lavandula stoechas\u00a0<\/em>cultivars and hybrids don\u2019t want lime and are best pruned in summer.<\/p>\n

The best lavender to grow<\/h2>\n
1<\/span>

Lavandula angustifolia<\/em>\u00a0\u2018Contrast\u2019<\/h3>\n<\/div>
\"""\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
Photo: Elke Borkowski<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n

The Nursery\u2019s own selection, with very pale violet, almost white flowers emerging from the deepest dark violet, almost black calyx.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>

2<\/span>

Lavandula angustifolia<\/em>\u00a0Blue Ice (= \u2018Dow3\u2019)<\/h3>\n<\/div>
\"""\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
Photo: Plantography\/Alamy<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n

The palest violet there is. Any paler and it would be white. Looks great when set off against darker colours. Hardiness rating<\/strong> USDA 6b-11.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>

3<\/span>

Lavandula angustifolia<\/em>\u00a0\u2018Blue Mountain White\u2019<\/h3>\n<\/div>
\"""\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
Photo: Martin Hughes Jones\/Alamy<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n

The best white I\u2019ve ever seen. Well-shaped, compact, but no dwarf. Hardiness rating<\/strong> USDA 6b-11.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>

4<\/span>

Lavandula angustifolia<\/em>\u00a0\u2018Elizabeth\u2019<\/h3>\n<\/div>
\"""\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
Photo: Anne Gilbert\/Alamy<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n

Longest bloomer, as classically lavender-coloured as can be. Archetypal lavender\u00a0at its best.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>

5<\/span>

Lavandula angustifolia<\/em>\u00a0Melissa Lilac (= \u2018Dow4\u2019)<\/h3>\n<\/div>
\"""\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
Photo: Elke Borkowski<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n

Fluffy flowers in a very special lilac.\u00a0This plant is remarkable and in a colour category of its own. Hardiness rating<\/strong> USDA 6b-11.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>

6<\/span>

Lavandula angustifolia<\/em>\u00a0\u2018Miss Katherine\u2019<\/h3>\n<\/div>
\"""\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
Photo: Elke Borkowski<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n

The best pink flowers. Period. Hardiness rating<\/strong> RHS H4, USDA 6b-11.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>

7<\/span>

Lavandula angustifolia<\/em>\u00a0\u2018Peter Pan\u2019<\/h3>\n<\/div>
\"""\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
Photo: Elke Borkowski<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n

The best dwarf cultivar \u2013 compact with dark flowers. Hardiness rating<\/strong> USDA 6b-11.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>

8<\/span>

Lavandula angustifolia<\/em>\u00a0\u2018Royal Blue\u2019<\/h3>\n<\/div>
\"""\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
Photo: Visions Pictures & Photography<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n

A new and very promising dark cultivar that keeps flowering.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>

9<\/span>

Lavandula angustifolia<\/em>\u00a0\u2018Siesta\u2019<\/h3>\n<\/div>
\"""\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
Photo: Elke Borkowski<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n

A very full growing, vigorous and healthy plant with dark flowers. Hardiness rating<\/strong> USDA 6a-10b.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n