Lavender Plants in The Garden

Lavender Plants in The Garden.  These plants can be used as hedges or stand-alone plants.  There are many types of Lavender that can be used in the garden.  Lavenders will give off a strong aromatic scent. Below are some of the most common Lavenders.  In places where the temperatures reach over 110° Fahrenheit during the mid-summer months, it’s best to plant them in the morning sun and afternoon shade.  It is important to note they need at least 6 hrs. hours of sunshine to grow and produce colorful blooms.

Spanish Lavender (Lavendula Stoechas)

Sometimes called the rabbit ears lavender.  The flower does resemble bunny ears (see photo below).  They bloom profusely during the spring seasons.  It loves hot dry or humid climates perfect for the Southwest.  Place it in the garden as it will attract butterflies and can be planted in a pot or in the ground.  Make sure you have good loamy soil and drainage. Spanish Lavender will grow about 2 maybe 3 feet tall and wide.

It’s great for short border plants in a walk-way entrance.

Munstead Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia)

Munstead Lavender is an English lavender. The flower is smaller than the Spanish Lavender but very fragrant.  Place it in a herb or rock garden as it does not mind the heat providing it has water and drainage.  It loves full but can tolerate a few hours of shade.

English Lavender

(Lavandula Angustifolia) also called common lavender.  Will do great in the southwest even in Desert gardens. It likes full sun but loves good loamy soil that will drain well.  It is used in gardens throughout the Southwest for its strong fragrance and low water usage.

French Lavender

Wooly grey-colored foliage has a very aromatic scent.  The blooms seem to last forever and do well in alkaline soil perfect for the Southwest region. Will grow about 2 ft. tall and 1-2 ft. wide.

Lavender plants in the Garden

Lavender plants can face a variety of challenges, and one of the most significant problems they encounter is Fusarium wilt, which is a type of fungus. This fungus can invade the roots and stems of lavender, causing the plants to become weak and unhealthy. When lavender is infected with Fusarium wilt, you may notice that the leaves begin to wilt, the color may change, and overall growth can become stunted. It’s essential to address this issue quickly to save the plants.

To treat Fusarium wilt effectively, applying a good fungicide is crucial. This kind of treatment helps in targeting the fungus and reducing its presence on the plants. However, it’s important to understand that a single application is usually not enough to completely eliminate the fungus. You will likely need to spray the fungicide multiple times over a period of weeks to ensure that the fungus is thoroughly removed. Consistency in applying the treatment is key to restoring the health of your lavender plants and preventing further issues. With patience and proper care, it is possible to bring those lavender plants back to flourishing health.

Whiteflies will attack this plant they will kill the plant, but it will look bad if heavily infested.  Use a good systemic insecticide to kill them.  Go organic and use neem oil spray or insecticidal soap.  The store-bought soaps will work if you follow instructions accordingly. Aphids will attack this plant causing the leaves to turn yellow. They basically suck the life out of the plant spray with an insecticide or go organic and use insecticidal soaps.

Read more about Insecticidal soaps here.

Powdery Mildew is a big problem.  A white powdery substance appears on the stems, flowers, and leaflets.  Spray with a good fungicide to remove this fungus. Neem oil is organic and will also remove powdery mildew.  However, it is best to do numerous applications.   Avoid sprinkler overhead spray and do not plant with more than 50% shade.

Does Lavender help you sleep?

Lavender plants do help you sleep and according to research – Oils with Lavender is the best way to use it.  Not only Lavender but other plants if done correctly will help you sleep better.  Read more here –The glory of gardening.

Lavender plants do well in USDA Zones 5 through 10.