How to Grow Your Own Scented Lavender
Everybody loves the aroma of lavender. And fresh purple blooms are lovely to look at too, and also attract pollinators like buzzy bees and beautiful butterflies for wildlife-friendly-gardens.. Lavender is also an easy herb to grow. You can admire it, then snip off sprigs to make homemade lavender bags. Or use edible lavender for your cooking.
Using no-dig gardening (to avoid forks harming wildlife and worms), it’s a simple case of choosing the best type, knowing where to plant it, and caring for your lavender plants.
Most pets won’t eat lavender, but the plants can be toxic. Never use aromatherapy oils near pets (including if cats sleep on beds – air rooms if used before allowing them back in, if used). Read our post on pet-friendly gardens.
If growing or displaying plants indoors, never face them to outdoor gardens, to help stop birds flying into windows.
Which Scent to Choose?
There are many types of lavender, so go for a native plant for a strong sweet scent and healthy growth. English lavender (no surprise) is a good choice, Tamar Organics sells a good organic version. These scented lilac flowers, are ideal for hedges.
Sow the seeds in trays with good organic compost, any time of year, at a temperature of 20°C. Then pot them into 8cm pots and transplant to a sunny well-drained spot, at a distance of 45-60cm for individual plants or 30cm for a hedge. Or direct sow from May.
Watering and Pruning Care
In the first months, water your lavender if the soil is dry at root level. Once roots settle, water rarely. Water deeply, but only when the top few centimetres of compost are dry. In most English gardens, rain is enough for mature plants.
After flowering, cut back stems by about one third. This keeps bushes tidy and prevents gaps. Use sharp snips and avoid cutting into woody, leafless stems, as these rarely sprout new growth. Prune in late summer or early autumn.
If you do pick lavender, only pick a third of stems from each plant, so the rest keep bees and butterflies happy!
