Planting lavender: planting distance and planting time

Lavandula species are among the most popular herbs in the garden because they look beautiful and give off an aromatic scent. Planting lavender in the garden is not just about planting time and spacing. Although the varieties can be planted at the same time, they are characterized by different growth characteristics. You should pay attention to these when planting so that the bushes are not too narrow and can develop undisturbed.

Plant lavender

Planting time of lavender

Lavandula species grow slowly and take several months for the roots to spread in the substrate. It is therefore important that you get hardy plants to the ones you want early in the year Location put in the bed. This gives the plants enough time to grow optimally by winter. If you buy early specimens in pots, you can plant them out in spring. They are relatively insensitive to late frosts.

• Planted outdoors between late March and mid-May
• earlier planting possible if the plants are strong enough
• Plant spacing between 40 and 60 centimeters, depending on the species
• water well and avoid waterlogging

Plant seedlings

Start sowing as early as possible so that the plant will start to flower in the same year. The cultivation takes place in seed trays in the greenhouse. As soon as the seedlings have reached a few centimeters, they are separated. Young plants should not be planted in the bed before the ice saints in May, as they can be damaged by late frosts.

• Plant in the greenhouse and cold frame from the end of February
• Maintain a distance of 15 to 20 centimeters
• Put outdoors from mid-May
• Depending on the species, ensure a planting distance of between 40 and 60 centimeters
• Then keep the soil well moist

Certain Lavandula species are only suitable for cultivation in the tub, as they cannot survive the winter outdoors. In the planter, lavender is less demanding when it comes to planting time. However, choosing a suitable time will save the plant unnecessary stress:

• Repotting possible all year round
• the ideal time for repotting is before budding in March
• new bucket must be ten centimeters larger than the root ball

Plant spacing

Basically, the aromatic plants should not be planted too closely. Lavandula species grow bushy and spreading. Since the shrubs are very hungry for sun, individuals standing too close together can rob each other of light. The supply of nutrients also suffers when the plants root through the soil and compete for nutrients.

tip: Plant lavender in the soil so that the planting distance is about half of its height.

Low species

There are numerous varieties with a small increment that reach low heights and only expand moderately in width. These Lavandula varieties have a small footprint and can be placed closer together than high-growing varieties. A distance of 20 to 30 centimeters between the individual plants is ideal.

Coppy Lavender (Lavandula stocheas)

• 'Kew Red': inflorescences red-white, compact habit
• 'Otto Quast': pink-purple flowers, dense growth, spreads out
• 'Merle': red-purple inflorescences, compact growing

Provence lavender (Lavandula x intermedia)

• 'Julien': slow growth, purple flowers
• 'Bleu de Collines': compact growth, floriferous and aromatic scent
• 'Speciale': grows profusely and blooms late, flowers purple

Tall growing species

Tall varieties spread significantly more and take up more space. You should leave at least 40 to 50 centimeters of space between these plants to allow undisturbed growth. Plants that are too close together are suboptimally ventilated so that pathogens and mold spores can spread.

Real lavender (Lavandula angustifolia)

• 'Hidcote Pink': pale pink flowers, strong growth
• 'Blue Cushion': compact variety, light purple flowers, suitable for rock gardens or pots
• 'Dwarf Blue': medium-high, purple flowers, suitable as a border
• 'Melissa': flowering white

Lavandin (Lavandula angustifolia x latifolia)

• 'Impress Purple': up to 90 centimeters high
• 'Abrialii': about 75 centimeters high
• 'Fragant Memories': approx. 60 to 75 centimeters high
• 'Grappenhall': approx. 60 to 75 centimeters high

Bucket and balcony box

Many plants that are suitable for tubs do not like planters that are too large. This does not apply to lavender. The species feel all the more comfortable the more space the bucket offers. When planting different species in one vat, you should match the number of plants to the size of the tub. Low species of lavandula harmonize perfectly with roses. Since these are very demanding and also require space, you should not put too many specimens in the same planter. They are not recommended for planting in pots and window boxes hardy varieties des Provence lavender. You can spend the cold season in the protected winter quarters.

• 'Peter Pan': between 25 and 35 centimeters high
• 'Nana Alba': between 25 and 35 centimeters high
• Lavandula pinnata: between 50 and 70 centimeters high
• Varieties of Lavandula stocheas

Plant lavender in the bed

Very few lavender varieties are suitable for direct planting outdoors, as they need Mediterranean conditions and cannot withstand the frosty winter temperatures in Central Europe. Only real lavender grows at higher altitudes and can cope with lower temperatures. There are some robust varieties that can withstand temperatures down to -15 ° C for a short time. These varieties are among the classics in the garden bed:

• 'Blue Scent': undemanding and robust with violet-blue flowers
• 'Jamlitz': particularly suitable for rough locations, grows tall and requires sufficient space
•  'Ellagance Purple': bushy growth, resistant, purple flowers

tip: Waterlogging is the greatest enemy of all Lavandula species. Therefore, place the bushes on south-facing slopes where excess water can easily run off.