Depending on the variety, the leaves range from dark green to silvery gray. Delicate purple flowers adorn each spike.
Lavender grows well in containers, or you can plant a lavender hedge to frame the landscape.
Once planted, the hedge will grow about one to two feet high, with a spread of one to five feet per plant. Consider placing lavender hedges along walkways or bordering flower beds. You can even use a lavender hedge as a foundation hedge.
Plant a Lavender Hedge
Are you looking for an easy care hedge that looks attractive all year round? Lavender plants are perfect for most landscapes.
Picking the Location for Your Lavender Hedge
All lavender plants grow best in full sun. Ideally, they should get at least half a day in the sun. Generally, lavender varieties grow well in USDA zones five through nine. They can easily grow in poor or fertile soil.
Soil pH Considerations
Lavender plants tend to prefer a soil pH of 6.4 to 8.3. Ideally, test your soil before planting lavender. If the soil is too acidic or alkaline, the soil will need to be replenished to achieve a good pH range. If the soil is acidic, you can mix dolomite or lime powder into the soil to make it alkaline.
Learn How to Prepar the Location
Grow a site at least 12 inches wide for as long as needed. You need to loosen the soil to a depth of six to eight inches. Loosen the ground with a rotary tiller. You can also use a garden spade to loosen clods.
After loosening the soil, add a mixture of topsoil and compost to create a six-inch-high soil ridge. Raising the ground level with additives will help the hedge become denser and form compact growth.
How to Plant the Lavender
Remove the lavender plants from their containers. Oftentimes, lavender becomes very rooted in nursery containers, making it difficult to gain a foothold in flower beds. Gently loosen the roots with your fingers. Try not to break them. Simply massage them in before planting to loosen the roots. If the plant maintains a root system, the leaves may shrivel, turn yellow and begin to fall off the plant.
Space the lavender plants about 10 to 12 inches apart. Place them in the middle of the transformed bed.
Water newly planted lavender thoroughly. Keep the soil moist but not too wet. Lavender plants must have enough water. Once established, they can tolerate drought, but not for at least a year.
Staggering a Lavender Hedge
Another way to grow a lavender hedge is to stagger the rows. You will need a wider earthen comb about 25 inches wide. You will arrange the lavender in two rows and space them 12 inches apart. Do not place plants directly side by side.
Instead, move the lavender plants. This creates a fuller hedge that appears thicker and denser. Most people find a tiered lavender hedge to be visually appealing.
Pruning Lavender
When the first spring arrives, cut back the plants by at least a third. Spring pruning encourages lavender to grow bushier and form a fuller hedge. It will also encourage extra flowering.
Airflow and the Lavender Hedge
Lavender needs air circulation, otherwise it will get moldy very quickly. Spring pruning promotes air circulation between plants. Also, when planting hedges, don’t try to plant clumps too close together or they won’t get enough airflow. Additionally, plants that are too close together can compete with each other for food and water, preventing them from thriving.
Lavender hedges are a focal point in any relatively carefree landscape. Once established, it brings fragrance and elegance to the garden. No doubt you’ll be raving about its lavender beauty.