newbie in the garden, tell me about lavender!

[maylea_moon]

ok so i planted some lavender in my yard today (already flowered, bought them in pots at a nursery). what's the best way to take care of them and make them thrive? also, the tag said the type is "lavender blue". is this an english lavender? anyone know?

[maylea_moon]

bump!

i know there's gotta be at least someone out there with thriving lavender!

[Chamomile Girl]

Well it really depends on your climate. In my experience lavender likes well-drained soil and does well without a ton of water. If you have just planted it in the ground you can help it to become established by cutting off the flowers so it can focus on creating a stronger root system.

But I live in Northern California where one lavender plant is expected to live for 10-15 years. In Omaha where I have also lived it was thought of as an annual.

What is your climate like?

[Rachel J.]

I can't help, mine always dies and I have a pretty green thumb, but I'll be watching to see if anyone else out there has some suggestions

[maylea_moon]

stacy - my climate is very dry, i live in south eastern idaho. zone 5. i'm also wondering about mulch, what do you do for mulch and how do i make sure it gets good drainage?

[Aubergine68]

I've had some lavender die off, but am now growing a hardier variety, don't know the name, the nursery employee said "try this!", lol, and it's been 5 or 6 years.

My plant is now about a foot square and grows about a foot high.

One thing I know is not to ever divide the lavender, if it lasts for you-- that kills it. I have some nice baby lavender growing naturally from seed this year and if I let them spread, they'd fill my whole herb box.

[serenetabbie]

Is there a Latin name on the tag? It would be Lavandula angustifolia if it is English Lavander. I did a quick search and cannot seem to find any plant called "lavender blue" so now I am curious