A herb garden without the strongly fragrant and versatile lavender is unthinkable - especially in a Mediterranean bed together with rosemary, thyme, oregano & Co. The pretty, lush blue to violet flowers are an eye-catcher in every garden. In this article we will give you the best tips and tricks on how to grow lavender in your garden - or on the balcony.

Where does the lavender come from?

Coming from the mint family, lavender originally comes from the Mediterranean region, where it still grows wild today. In the high Middle Ages, traveling monks of the Benedictine order brought the medicinal herb across the Alps, where it quickly found a new home in many monastery and farm gardens. In the meantime, however, the sun-loving lavender is widespread in almost all climatic regions of the world.

What does lavender look like?

Botanically, lavender is a subshrub. The shoots, which can grow up to 60 centimeters long, become lignified at the base. The leaves are grey-green, felt-like hairs and curled outwards at the edges to reduce evaporation. The flowers are usually violet, some varieties also white, pink or dark blue. They stand at the tip of the shoot in what are known as false spikes. First you see the colored calyx, from which the intensely fragrant flowers unfold.

What can I use lavender for?

The flowers in particular contain essential oils - which are responsible for the beguiling scent of the plant - coumarins and flavonoids. There are also tannins and bitter substances. Young shoot tips and leaves flavor herb sauces, fish soups, stews and lamb dishes. They taste like rosemary. Lavender used internally has a calming effect and helps with flatulence. A tea made from the flowers is therefore ideal for stress conditions, but is also said to be helpful for cardiovascular problems. You can also use lavender as a bath additive or banish headaches with the beguiling scent of lavender oil. Moths are also not very enthusiastic about this smell. Scented sachets with dried lavender flowers help keep bugs out of closets. Furthermore, lavender plays a major role as a fragrance agent in perfumes and soaps.

Where can I get plants from?

Young plants are available in every garden center or in many nurseries. However, you can also buy seeds and grow your lavender plants yourself. However, keep in mind that lavender grows very slowly.

Is lavender perennial or annual?

Lavender is a perennial plant, which, however, has to be pruned vigorously and is also quite sensitive to cold. Especially in colder regions, lavender needs winter protection from brushwood, some varieties can even only be kept in pots. This includes, for example, the particularly aromatic French lavender, which does not tolerate the cold very well and should therefore be wintered frost-free, but cool and as bright as possible.

Which location does lavender need?

A sunny spot sheltered from the wind is ideal. The sun should shine here from morning to evening if possible. Not only is this important for the lavender to thrive, you'll definitely be able to taste and smell the difference. It is not for nothing that Mediterranean herbs such as lavender have such a particularly intense taste and aroma. A partially shaded location is less than ideal, as the herb cannot develop its full intensity. Beware of depressions in the ground: cold night air collects in them, which the warmth-loving lavender does not appreciate at all.

Does lavender fit in a herb spiral?

The herb spiral is ideal for growing herbs - especially in a small garden. This is simply a mound of earth built in a spiral or snail shape and bordered with stones. Plan the spiral as generously as possible, because if it is too small, the plants will crowd each other and suffer from a lack of light. A possible planting could look like this: Moisture-loving herbs such as chives and parsley can be planted at the foot of the spiral wall, drought-loving herbs such as savory, marjoram, hyssop, burnet burnet or sage higher up. The south and west sides, on the other hand, offer ideal conditions for thyme, rosemary and lavender. On the north and east side, chives, mint, cress, lemon balm and sorrel feel particularly at home.

Which soil does the herb prefer?

As a typical Mediterranean plant, lavender has only a low need for moisture and nutrients. Therefore, you should keep the small shrub, which after all comes from rocky regions, as lean as possible. Ideal locations are therefore a dry wall or a sunny rock garden. The soil should be permeable and slightly chalky.

What distance does lavender need?

Lavender needs quite a lot of space because the plant grows bushy. Therefore, you should plant the individual young plants at a distance of about 30 centimeters.

When can I prefer lavender plants?

If you enjoy growing them yourself, you can sow the fine seeds in March in a warm cold frame or in bowls on the windowsill. The seeds usually germinate irregularly and take between two to three weeks to sprout. Lavender is a light germinator, i. H. You must not cover the seeds with soil. From May you can put the young plants in the garden.

How can I propagate lavender?

Lavender is usually propagated by division or by cuttings. To propagate cuttings, cut off a few shoot tips in spring - before flowering - and stick them in a sandy substrate. You can dip the interface in rooting powder beforehand. Keep the substrate slightly moist but not wet. Do not be surprised if the cuttings do not seem to grow - it takes a very long time for the young plants to take root.

Can I also cultivate lavender in a pot?

Lavender is ideal for pot culture, but needs sufficiently deep and large pots. The plant develops a very deep taproot, which is why shallow containers - such as bowls or balcony boxes (€109.00) - are unsuitable. The crested lavender in particular is perfect for keeping in a bucket on the balcony or terrace.

When do I need to repot lavender?

However, lavender needs quite a lot of space, so it is better to repot the plant once too often than once too little. Spring is best suited for such an action, before the first new shoots begin to sprout.

Can lavender also be used in the garden bed?

Yes, lavender feels very comfortable in the company of other (Mediterranean) herbs, but also in the vegetable or flower bed. However, not all varieties are suitable for planting outdoors, so it is best to choose real lavender for this purpose.

When does lavender bloom?

Depending on the variety, lavender blooms throughout the summer: the flowering period is between June and September. It is best to cut away wilted flower spikes immediately.

Is lavender poisonous?

No, lavender is not poisonous. On the contrary: the herb has been known for centuries as a scented, aromatic and medicinal herb.

Which parts of the plant can I use and how?

Above all, the flowers of the lavender are used, mostly dried, but also freshly picked. Sparingly dosed, the young leaves can also be used as a spice.

When and how can I harvest?

You can cut young leaves and twigs at any time as required. To dry, cut the flowering shoots as soon as the small flowers have opened. To do this, the flower stalks are cut off in the midday sun and dried at moderate heat. Then the flowers are rubbed off and kept in a dark container.

Can you plant lavender as a hedge?

You can also plant low hedges with lavender bushes. This is especially great for edging herb and rose beds.

Good Neighbors / Bad Neighbors

Lavender harmonises particularly well with other Mediterranean herbs, but also with fragrant roses.

tips and tricks

If you want to plant lavender in pots, they should have a diameter of at least 20 centimeters. In addition, a drainage hole in the floor ensures that no waterlogging can occur. Pots made of clay or wood are recommended for growing lavender, as these can store moisture and prevent the plant from drying out.

IJA

Category:

Herbs