Lavender is actually known and loved for its lush flowers. Sometimes, however, the plants remain without flowers. There are various reasons for this phenomenon.
Note location and soil conditions
With regard to the growing conditions it prefers - especially in terms of location and soil conditions - lavender is a real sensitive one. If he doesn't like his spot, he'll definitely go on flowering strike. Lavender loves:
- a location in full sun (i.e. no semi-shade or under a tree!)
- as much heat as possible - the hotter the better
- no wind
- well-drained, nutrient-poor soil, also sandy and/or stony.
Especially when the summer is quite cold and maybe even rainy, you shouldn't be surprised if your lavender has no flowers. The plant comes from the Mediterranean and is therefore used to as much heat as possible. The condition of the soil is also often a reason for the lack of flowers: the soil is either too heavy / loamy or too acidic. Rhododendrons like to stand on acidic peat soil, but lavender does not tolerate such soil. If your soil is not optimal, you can upgrade it accordingly (e.g. with sand, gravel or pebbles) or move the lavender. Sometimes, however, you are completely innocent that your lavender remains without flowers - then the lack of flowers is due to incorrect care, for example in the garden center. In this case, the only solution is to wait and see: the plant will definitely bloom next year.
Do not cut lavender too late
It is generally recommended that lavender be cut back by at least half in spring to bring the shrub back into shape. However, the pruning must not be carried out too late, otherwise the plant will invest its energies in driving out the young shoots instead of in the formation of flowers. If the weather cooperates, you should cut back the lavender in March, but no later than April. Also, don't forget to fertilize the lavender according to its needs after cutting. Some gardeners also recommend not letting the spring cut be quite so drastic and preferring to cut away more in the summer.
tips and tricks
Another reason for the sluggish flowering of lavender can be wrong overwintering. If the plants overwinter in the heated living room instead of in the garden or under cold house conditions, they consume far too much energy, which is then no longer sufficient for the development of flowers in spring.
IJA