Lavender is a branched small shrub that thrives to a height of approximately 50 centimetres. It has wide rootstock bears woody trunks with upright, rod-like, leafy, green shoots. It has a purple flower that contains oil which gives the plant its fragrance.
Lavender is popularly known to be a beautiful flowering plant, it has a sweet floral scent and bright attractive colours. It is usually located in the Mediterranean regions such as France, Spain, Europe, and Eastern Africa.
Lavender plants are known for various uses and benefits.
- They are popularly used by companies in making essential oils, perfume, body cream, soap, deodorant etc.
- Their essential oil is used to soothe pain, fight bacteria, helps in detoxification and relieve pain.
- They also help to remove pungent smell and freshen homes, offices etc.
- Most beauty and hair products contain lavender as they are known to cure hair loss, improve hair growth and shine.
- Studies have shown that the fragrance of lavender helps to relieve stress and enable sleep.
And although we do not have to live in the Mediterranean or Europe to grow, to grow these plants right, lavender set the conditions they need To survive.
For lavenders to reach their full potential and thrive, they have to be placed directly under sunlight.
Criteria For Lavender To Grow
1. The most important criteria for lavender to grow well is when there is adequate sun, daily lavenders need to spend at least 6 hours under direct sunlight
2. Good soil will determine how well lavender will grow. The soil used to grow lavenders need to be coarse, sandy, and probably Rock like in nature. This is important because large roots need good drainage soil, roots of lavender detests sitting in wet soil as they are highly prone to root rot and overwatering. Not to forget that soil that has medium fertility and is rich in its content will help the plant to grow well.
3. Soil testing is very essential in growing lavenders, to determine the level of acidity and alkalinity essential for plant growth. Studies have shown that chalk soils help lavenders to grow well because they are alkaline and have low levels of acidity which is perfect for lavenders to grow.
4. Lavenders require very little watering: when people water their lavenders too often, they cause the root to rot, yellowing the leaves, leading to their death.
Overwatering is one of the major reasons that lavenders get damaged and die. In normal circumstances, lavenders need to be watered once every two weeks if the season is dry. During rainfalls, you can decide not to water at all.
Lavender plants do love a bit of airflow, this helps to keep certain fungal diseases at bay.
Can Lavender Grow In Partial Shade?
Lavenders are a fairly short-lived garden plant, usually between 4-5years, so do not do them a disadvantage by fixing them in unfavourable shade.
Generally, lavender cannot survive or grow in partial shade but some species can tolerate partial shade. Unfortunately, this particular set of lavender plants will not bloom well, it will lack strength and the aroma it brings, it will also have stunted growth.
If you insist on growing lavenders in partial shade, some species are stated below which can tolerate partial shade growth.
Which Lavender Can Tolerate Shade?
Some partial shade-tolerant varieties of lavender include:
- French lavender (Lavandula dentata),
- French lace lavender (Lavandula multifida) and
- Spanish Lavendula stoechas.
So if you are in search, The above species above are lavender species that can tolerate partial shade. Even if we are planting these lavender species in partial shade, it is still advisable to place them under bright shade so that they grow.
Are All Lavenders Evergreen?
Lavenders are known to be evergreen, during spring they produce fresh green leaves that stay all year round in warm conditions. During cold temperatures, the leaves of lavender turn greyish green because it’s difficult to thrive in cold temperatures.
Will Lavender Survive Winter Outside?
Lavenders as we all know love the sun, so imagine it surviving the winter, sound impossible right?
Surprisingly, some species of lavender can survive winter conditions too, not only do they survive but they produce more aroma. Because the weather is usually cold, the scent Coming from the lavender is stronger and more intense.
Care for Lavenders During Winter
Caring for lavender during winter can be stressful and demanding, but if we follow the tips highlighted below, it will be easy to grow these plants.
1. Apply up to 2 inches of mulch over the soil around your lavender plants. They will h to regulate the temperature of your soil, which in turn helps ensure your plants will have a nice healthy start for the spring season.
2. Reduce the amount of time you spend on your watering routine as the colder months approach. Lavender will always prefer dry soil, and what moisture it does need will likely be provided by winter rain, there will not be a need to water frequently.
3. Check for dormant plants, they will turn brown along the branches, while those that are non-dormant will remain green and may boast their beautiful purple flowers.
4. As a reminder, you mustn’t plant the lavender outside until all danger of frost has passed for where you reside. When this period is over, your lavender plant can be brought outside so that they will receive sunlight to enable them to thrive abundantly.
In conclusion
Lavenders are beautiful plants that survive and grow well under intense sun or bright conditions, so at all times if possible, they should be kept under the sun for at least 6 hours
Most lavenders will not grow well under partial shade due to lack of direct sunlight, the plants will have stunted growth, non-fragrant leaves, and flowers, and will be prone to rotting.
Always use extra sol as a warmer for lavender plants during the winter to make them feel warm and help absorb moisture quickly.
