We are always talking about our plants and our products. One of the many questions that always come up is, "Can you tell me which plants I can put in my garden?". lavender is such a beautiful plant, and once you understand all the uses of lavender, you will want to dig up that garden and put some in this coming Spring.
Lavender has been around for a long time and has been used for many years to relax, soothe and refresh, but it also has healing properties. Today medical science and chemistry have found conclusive evidence that the healing powers of this sweet-smelling plant have been praised for all its goodness.
No country has had a more intimate and lengthy relationship with lavender than France, which still is the most crucial producer of lavender oil globally. Growing lavender in Ontario is relatively new compared to France, that is for sure. But it can be done!
The first thing is, what region are you living in? That will impact what variety you purchase. Remember that most garden centres will carry plans for your zone, but not all nursery varieties of lavender are the same - especially when it comes to culinary lavender.
Hereward Farms sits in zone 4B. You can check out where your zone is in Ontario here.
Once you have decided on your zone, then the fun begins! There are a lot of considerations and cautions with growing lavender. But two main types of lavender can be grown in Ontario, according to Sean Westerveld, as referenced in the article "So you Want to Grow Lavender? Considerations and Cautions". Two types of lavender can be grown in Ontario - Lavandula angustifolia (English Lavender) and Lavandula x intermedia (lavandins or French Lavender). At our farm, we grow Munstead Lavender (English Lavender), Phenomenal Lavender (French Hybrid) and Hidcote Lavender (English Lavender).
Phenomenal lavender will have longer stalks and typically does not flower the first year. Munstead flowers are looser and lighter in colour than Hidcote, but they can withstand hotter summers than other English Lavenders. Hidcote has a deeper violet-blue colour, and their flowers are tighter and more compact.
So, you can either grow lavender by seed, or we recommend buying plugs or smaller plants. Seeds can be tricky for a couple of reasons - they take forever to get established, and you don't always know what type of lavender you are getting. We recommend you plant after the last frost - typically, where we live, anywhere from May 24 to the end of May.
When planting lavender, you have to ensure that you have spaced them correctly so that they are not crowded and that you need to water them enough to get established but do not overwater so that you do not cause root rot. This first year is the hardest to get the lavender established.
For more help on planting and growing lavender, please check out this article from Happy DIY Home, where they go into much more detail about planting, pruning and harvesting your lavender plants.
There are many uses for lavender in your home:
Crafting lavender into wreaths or flower displays throughout your home
Lavender sachets for drawers, closets and pillows
Creating simple syrups and baking with lavender
Freshen your home with lavender and baking soda on carpets (sprinkle and vacuum up)
Make some soaps or bath bombs as gifts
There are so many great formulations and creations that you can make with lavender. The list is endless! We have an array of skincare and home products on our website.
Planting Instructions
At Hereward Farms, we have three varieties of Lavender: Phenomenal lavender, a French Hybrid (Lavandula intermedia), Hidcote Lavender (English Lavender) (Lavandula angustifolia) and Munstead Lavender (English Lavender) (Lavandula angustifolia)
Lavender is a popular herb known for its fragrant flowers and versatile uses in cooking, aromatherapy, and crafting. Here are some general planting instructions for growing lavender:
Choose a sunny location: Lavender prefers full sun and well-drained soil. Select a spot in your garden with at least six hours of direct sunlight daily.
Prepare the soil: Lavender needs soil with good drainage, so if your soil is heavy or clay-like, amend it with compost or sand. Dig in the soil to a depth of 12-15 inches, and mix in your chosen amendment.
Plant the lavender: Dig a hole slightly larger than the root ball of the lavender plant. Place the plant in the hole and backfill it with soil. Gently tamp down the soil around the plant to remove any air pockets.
Water the lavender: After planting, give the lavender a thorough watering. Continue to water the plant regularly, especially during dry spells.
Mulch the lavender: Apply a layer of mulch around the base of the lavender to help retain moisture and suppress weeds. Use light-coloured mulch, such as gravel or crushed stone, to reflect sunlight and keep the plant cool.
Prune the lavender: Lavender benefits from regular pruning to encourage bushy growth and prevent legginess. Prune the plant in the Spring, after the new growth, and again in the fall, after the flowering has finished.
Following these planting instructions, you can grow healthy and fragrant lavender plants in your garden.
Phenomenal Lavender
Phenomenal lavender (Lavandula intermedia "Phenomenal") is a popular variety known for its exceptional performance and hardiness. Here are some of its characteristics:
Appearance: Phenomenal lavender has silvery-green foliage and long, slender stems topped with spikes of fragrant, purple-blue flowers. It is a relatively tall and bushy plant, growing up to 2-3 feet (60-90 cm) in height and width.
Fragrance: Like other varieties of lavender, Phenomenal has a sweet, floral fragrance that is widely used in aromatherapy and perfumery.
Hardiness: Phenomenal lavender is known for its exceptional hardiness, withstanding both extreme heat and cold. It is drought-tolerant and resistant to diseases and pests, making it a low-maintenance plant.
Bloom time: Phenomenal lavender blooms from mid to late summer, with its flowers lasting for several weeks.
Uses: Phenomenal lavender is a versatile plant commonly used in garden beds, borders, and containers for ornamental purposes. Its flowers are also harvested for use in potpourri, sachets, and other crafts.
Overall, Phenomenal lavender is a popular choice for gardeners looking for a hardy, low-maintenance plant with fragrant flowers and attractive foliage.
When planting Phenomenal lavender (Lavandula intermedia "Phenomenal"), it's best to space each plant about 2 to 3 feet (60-90 cm) apart. This will give the plants enough space to grow and spread out, allowing for good air circulation. Lavender plants can also grow up to 2 to 3 feet in height and width, so spacing them properly is important to avoid overcrowding and encourage healthy growth. If you're planting multiple rows of Phenomenal lavender, you can space the rows about 3 to 4 feet (90-120 cm) apart. These distances will vary slightly depending on the variety of lavender, so it's always a good idea to check the specific planting instructions for the variety you have.
Hidcote Lavender
Hidcote lavender (Lavandula angustifolia 'Hidcote') is a compact and bushy variety of lavender that is known for its rich purple-blue flowers and fragrant scent. Here are some of its characteristics:
Appearance: Hidcote lavender has narrow, gray-green foliage and short stems that produce dense spikes of small, dark purple-blue flowers. It typically grows to a height of 12-18 inches (30-45 cm) and a width of 18-24 inches (45-60 cm).
Fragrance: Hidcote lavender has a sweet, floral fragrance that is widely used in the perfumery, aromatherapy, and cooking.
Hardiness: Hidcote lavender is a hardy and low-maintenance plant tolerating drought, heat, and cold temperatures. It is also resistant to common pests and diseases.
Bloom time: Hidcote lavender blooms from mid to late summer, with its flowers lasting for several weeks.
Uses: Hidcote lavender is commonly used in garden beds, borders, and containers for ornamental purposes. Its flowers are also harvested for use in potpourri, sachets, and other crafts. Additionally, it's fragrant foliage, and flowers make it a popular choice for culinary use, adding flavour to baked goods, teas, and other dishes.
Overall, Hidcote lavender is a popular choice for gardeners looking for a compact, low-maintenance plant with fragrant flowers and attractive foliage.
When planting Hidcote Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia 'Hidcote'), it's best to space each plant about 1 to 2 feet (30-60 cm) apart. This will give the plants enough space to grow and spread out, allowing for good air circulation. Hidcote lavender plants typically grow up to 1 to 2 feet in height and width, so spacing them properly is important to avoid overcrowding and encourage healthy growth. If you're planting multiple rows of Hidcote lavender, you can space the rows about 2 to 3 feet (60-90 cm) apart. These distances may vary slightly depending on the growing conditions, so it's always a good idea to check the specific planting instructions for the variety you have.
Munstead Lavender
Munstead lavender (Lavandula angustifolia 'Munstead') is a popular variety of lavender that is known for its compact size and fragrant flowers. Here are some of its characteristics:
Appearance: Munstead lavender has narrow, gray-green foliage and short stems that produce dense spikes of small, fragrant, lavender-blue flowers. It typically grows to a height of 12-18 inches (30-45 cm) and a width of 18-24 inches (45-60 cm).
Fragrance: Munstead lavender has a sweet, floral fragrance that is widely used in the perfumery, aromatherapy, and cooking.
Hardiness: Munstead lavender is a hardy and low-maintenance plant that tolerates drought, heat, and cold temperatures. It is also resistant to common pests and diseases.
Bloom time: Munstead lavender blooms from mid-to late summer, with its flowers lasting for several weeks.
Uses: Munstead lavender is commonly used in garden beds, borders, and containers for ornamental purposes. Its flowers are also harvested for use in potpourri, sachets, and other crafts. Additionally, it's fragrant foliage, and flowers make it a popular choice for culinary use, adding flavour to baked goods, teas, and other dishes.
Overall, Munstead lavender is a popular choice for gardeners looking for a compact, low-maintenance plant with fragrant flowers and attractive foliage.
Happy planting!