Lavender has long gained popularity as a plant actively used in garden design... And this is understandable, because the cultivation of this decorative and medicinal culture on summer cottage is not a big deal.

Read about which lavender to choose for the garden, how it can be propagated and where to plant it - read in this material.

Popular types of lavender

Lavender is not only a beautiful and aromatic plant, but also a very useful plant. Some of its types are used as a spice, added to herbal teas. Lavender oil is used in medicine and cosmetology. But the most famous property of lavender is its ability to bring calm and healthy sleep. We will tell you only about some of the types of this wonderful flower, the most popular among domestic gardeners.

English lavender (or narrow-leaved)

This species is also called real lavender. As a rule, this is what they mean when they talk about lavender in general. A shrub of this species can reach a height of 1 m, the flowering period is June-July.

French lavender (or broadleaf)

It is a semi-shrub and usually does not grow above 60 cm. The flowers of the plant are collected in rings that form an "ear". French lavender is distinguished by its early flowering and a variety of shades, but some of its varieties do not have a very pleasant smell.

Dutch lavender

It is a hybrid of English and French lavender. Quite a large representative of the genus: it grows up to 2 m both in height and in width, therefore it is grown, including for industrial purposes.

Pedunculate lavender

Rounded shrub with narrow and fragrant leaves. The flowers are bright purple, located on long peduncles with oblong bracts.

Reproduction of lavender

The easiest way to propagate lavender stem layering... In the spring, one branch of the bush is carefully laid in a shallow groove, completely sprinkled with soil, and a load is placed on top. In the future, it is important not to forget to regularly moisten the soil. It takes several months for the cuttings to take root. After that, it is carefully cut off from the mother plant, and the place of the cut is sprinkled with crushed coal to prevent rotting. It is recommended to replant the rooted layers to a permanent place in the spring.

Also lavender can be propagated using cuttings.

They are planted in loose soil to a depth of 3 cm and covered with foil. It is important not to forget about regular watering - the soil should not dry out. After the cutting takes root, it can be safely transplanted into open ground.

Experienced gardeners manage to cut lavender all season, but it is better to choose a time for this when there are enough young green, non-lignified shoots (6-10 cm) on the plant. On average, lavender takes 4-6 weeks to take root. Usually, young roots can be seen at the drainage holes.

Another possible way – dividing a bush.

If a beautiful fragrant lavender is already growing on your site, you have probably noticed that in the summer it forms multiple young shoots. In order to properly separate the young from the mother bush, immediately after the autumn pruning, the plant must be tucked up, filling the empty space between the stems with earth. In the spring, you need to repeat this manipulation. And by autumn, the lavender bush can be divided by transplanting young shoots with new roots to a permanent place. The root collar of transplanted plants is deepened by 4-6 cm.

Before choosing this method of lavender propagation, it is important to consider that the plant has a powerful root system, sometimes reaching 2 m.

If you decide to propagate lavender seeds, they must first be stratified, mixed with sand and sent to the refrigerator for 1-2 months. You can prepare a substrate for sowing seeds in boxes or pots yourself by mixing two parts of humus with one part of river sand.

Lavender seeds are sown into the soil along with sand, slightly covering the crops with a layer of earth (in boxes - at the end of winter, in a greenhouse or open ground - at the end of spring).

The thickness of the top layer should be about 3 mm, and the air temperature in the room where the seeds germinate should be about 15-22 ° C. Lavender grown from seeds only blooms in the second or third year.

In the southern regions, lavender seeds are sown outdoors in October without stratification. In this case, they are buried 3-4 cm, slightly compacting the topsoil.

In winter, it is important to regularly cover crops with fresh snow.

Choosing a location for lavender

Lavender loves well-lit areas. Of course, the plant will take root in the shade, but it will not bloom profusely in such conditions. Also, lavender does not grow well in wet areas, so you should not plant it in lowlands and in places with high groundwater levels.

When growing this plant, it should be remembered that it is very sensitive to the acidity of the soil (the optimal pH level is 6.5-7.5), as well as its structure. Therefore, if necessary, before planting, the soil must be calcified or added to it a little wood ash... Most of all, lavender likes sandy loam soil.

But with proper care and drainage, the plants also feel good on loam. Compost will help to saturate the soil with nutrients and make it loose enough.

Fragrant bright lavender looks great on alpine coaster, in rockeries and along garden paths, goes well with sage, yarrow or catnip.

Before choosing a location for these beautiful flowers, you need to pay attention to the height of the adult plant. If you want to admire lush, hedgehog-like bushes, the minimum distance between them should be equal to the height. And if you plan to grow a hedge, then the planting interval should be reduced by 1.5-2 times.

Adult lavender bushes can only be transplanted with a clod of earth.

Lavender care

Lavender cannot be called an overly demanding plant, but it needs regular weeding, hilling, as well as loosening and proper soil moisture.

Watered lavender as the soil dries. The plant does not like high humidity, but you should not leave it without watering either, otherwise the lavender will bloom poorly.

Feed lavender bushes are best potash fertilizers... But with nitrogen fertilizing, you should be careful. It is advisable to transfer them to the spring, since nitrogen stimulates the growth of green mass, to the detriment of flowering.

For spring feeding you can use urea (1 tablespoon per 10 liters of water). One bush will require about 5 liters of solution. At the beginning of flowering, some gardeners use complex fertilizers Agricola-Fantasy or Rossa universal (according to the instructions). Alternatively, you can use a solution of nitrophoska (2 tablespoons) and mullein (0.5 liters) in 10 liters of water.

In spring and autumn, the shrub follows spud to stimulate the growth of young shoots. Get rid of weeds and give a neat look to a flower bed with lavender will help mulching soil with compost or peat. In this case, the mulch should not adhere to the base of the branches.

Periodically, it is advisable to expose the plant pruning This will prolong the life of the lavender and prevent weather-induced lodging.

As a rule, immediately after flowering, lavender twigs are cut off a few centimeters. At the end of the season, re-pruning is carried out, leaving at least 4-5 green shoots. But if you get too carried away and cut off all young green shoots, you can provoke the death of the plant.

Preparing lavender for winter

As for wintering, the most common English lavender in our gardens can easily survive frosts in open ground... But her French relative is much more spoiled and sometimes freezes, so it is better to grow it in pots, which can be quickly carried away to a warm room.

In any case, it is worth taking care of the shelter. Branches will save lavender from severe frosts conifers(the plant must first be cut off). You need to build a warm hut out of them in October - early November. Covering lavender with leaves is not recommended as this can cause it to rot.

Lavender is great for creating borders and ridges, looks great in planters, and can also act as a background plant. The smell of lavender also repels pests such as the Colorado potato beetle and the moth. Therefore, the plant can be planted not only in a flower bed, but also in a vegetable garden.

Lavender is a very beautiful plant that conquers everyone with its delicate and graceful aroma. Fluffy bushes with bright flowers will be a great addition to landscape design summer cottages or private houses.

When planting a plant, it must be borne in mind that this is a very demanding bush. He needs not only proper care, but also planting.

Therefore, each grower, sooner or later, asks the question - how to plant lavender so that it pleases with its flowering every year?

Lavender is native to the Mediterranean coast. Therefore, the plant loves warmth. Today, there are more than 30 species of this wonderful flower.

The most popular types of lavender are:

• English narrow-leaved
• Dutch hybrid
• French broadleaf

For growing a flower in a pot, the last variety is more suitable.

The beautiful plant gained its popularity because of its aesthetic appearance, as well as its wide use in cooking, perfumery and even medicine.

Flowering lasts 3-4 months. The most popular varieties are Regal Splendor; Tiara; Papillon.

Growing a flower indoors is no different from planting it outdoors. On the street, the plant is able to survive in the shade and with a small one, but at home the flower becomes more demanding.

A plant like lavender loves warmth. Therefore, it cannot be grown in every climatic zone. In cold climates, perennials must first be planted in a flowerpot and left outside, but when a cold snap comes, they are hidden in a warm place.

It is worth considering that any varieties feel great in a pot, on a balcony or in a room.

Landing features

• To ensure proper drainage, pebbles, pebbles, gravel, shards or shells must be placed on the bottom of the pot. In this case, the drain holes must be open.
• The container in which the lavender will sit should have a volume of at least 2 liters and a diameter of about 30 cm.
• For the active growth of the flower, it is necessary to create an alkaline environment. A mixture of peat, sand and finely crushed eggshells is perfect for this.
• , in which the flowerpot is located, must have a temperature of at least 150C.

Choosing a place for a lavender in a pot

A flower such as lavender needs fresh air, so the flowerpot is best placed on a windowsill that faces west or east. The room must be constantly ventilated, but the level of humidity in the room does not matter at all.

The flower should be lit for at least 8 hours a day. In warmer seasons, lavender can be taken out onto the balcony.

The flowerpot must be gradually accustomed to the new environment. First, for several days, they take him out for an hour, then for two, and then completely.

Lavender should not be placed near heating appliances, but if there is simply no other place, then a can of water is placed next to it and the air is sprayed several times a day. Such simple actions will help preserve the flower and provide an optimal climate for it.

Watering and fertilizing

It is necessary to ensure that the soil in the pot is constantly moist. For the first month, the flower should be watered twice a day. After a while, you can reduce it to once a day. Do not forget that you cannot fill the plant either.

In the first months of life, the plant must be fertilized. Special fertilizers that are sold in garden stores must be diluted in the following proportions: 1 g of powder for 0.5 liters of water.

For the first 3 months, groundbait is made once a week. Further, the soil is fertilized only during the flowering period. Bushes love nitrogenous fertilizers, especially during the appearance of the first flowers.

Preparing for winter

Although indoor lavender becomes evergreen and flowering plant, she still needs to prepare for the winter. When the flowerpot has stopped blooming, dry twigs must be removed, and the bush must be trimmed a little. This is done above the beginning of leaf growth by several nodes.

In winter, lavender rests, therefore, it needs to be watered less - once a week. If the overgrown leaves begin to fall and wither, you do not need to be frightened. This can happen due to a lack of lighting. Therefore, it is worth solving this problem.

Breeding types of lavender

To get a beautiful flower bed with a perennial, you need to try very hard, since the plant requires constant attention.

Before planting lavender in the country, you need to find out how the plant reproduces and choose the best option.

Reproduction of perennial lavender is:

• Cherenkovoye
• Seed
• Layers

Breeding with cuttings

The best time to propagate a plant by cuttings is March-April or October-November. For such reproduction, it is advisable to choose shoots that have not yet bloomed.

They must be cut into cuttings 9-11 cm in size and rooted in a small greenhouse to a depth of 2-3 cm in the soil, which must contain peat and sand.

It is necessary to spray seedlings several times a day. With the right approach, the young plant will take root and grow rapidly. It will be possible to sit on a flower bed.

How to cut lavender by cuttings is presented in the video:

As mentioned earlier, planting a plant is a responsible process. Young bushes, as well as mature ones, do not tolerate the habitat very well, and this must be done carefully.

At the same time, capturing a large clod of earth that is at the roots. It is better to immediately designate a place where the plant bushes will be located.

The neighborhood between specimens should be no less than their height. Only in this case the plant will be lush and the club will look more beautiful. Lavender cuttings take root quickly. Therefore, it will be possible to enjoy beautiful and fragrant flowers in a couple of months.

The process of work is very simple: plant the seedlings in the ground to a depth of 3 centimeters, cover with foil and water the soil regularly. When the cuttings take root, carefully dig up and transplant to the chosen place.

Sowing lavender seeds

The first way

The best and least difficult way to propagate lavender is by sowing seeds. You can get them at almost any gardening store. It is advisable to find a narrow-leaved plant, and it is necessary to make a purchase in October-December months.

The fact is that the seeds must be specially prepared. For this, stratification is done. When this process is performed, pre-sowing treatment takes place - the seeds are kept for several months at a temperature of + 5-6 C.

This is necessary in order for the product to have a high germination rate. Florists mix seeds with wet sand and place them in a special refrigerator at the required temperature.

Before planting the seeds, it is necessary to prepare the soil and utensils for planting. For a fertile mixture, mix two parts of humus, three parts of cleaned earth and one part of sand, preferably river.

All these components are mixed and sieved so that there are no large lumps. Another important process is piercing or steaming the soil at a temperature of 115-135 degrees. If there is no opportunity for this type of processing, it is filtered with a weak tincture of manganese.

Planting is best done in February or March. First of all, drainage is laid on the bottom of the container, then the soil is sown and seeds are sown.

After that, cover with a layer of sand (4 mm), spray a little with water and cover with foil. The containers are placed in a warm, light and humid place with a temperature of +16 + 22C.

When the first shoots appear, the container with soil must be transferred to a bright and warm place. Young plants need to gradually adapt to fresh air. To do this, they shoot a little, first for an hour, and then completely.

Second way

In the second option, lavender seeds are planted in the ground. Here you also need to follow certain rules.

• First of all, you need to determine the place for the plant. It should be in a dry and sunny side, and most importantly constant, since the perennial does not tolerate frequent transplants.

The land for sowing is prepared in a known way - it is overlapped, clean sand and fine gravel or any other drainage is added.

It is best to plant lavender in the ground in October.

The seeds are sown to a depth of 0.5 cm and covered with foil.

In dry weather, they water a little, and when the cold comes, they throw as much snow as possible on the site.

This is necessary so that the plant does not freeze and survive until spring.

The first shoots usually appear in late autumn - early summer. Sometimes this happens later and there is no need to despair ahead of time, but it is worth waiting a little.

Sometimes sowing seeds in the fall does not work, and then this process can be postponed to spring. Spring manipulations are almost no different from autumn ones.

The only difference is that the soil is covered with non-woven - spunbond or agrotex. When the sprouts get a little stronger, the coverings can be removed.

Reproduction by layering

Reproduction by layering is one of the most ancient methods used by gardeners. The process is to stimulate the emergence of new roots on the stem after it has been separated from the main bush.

The process of propagation by layering is very laborious, but with it, many plants can be obtained with minimal risk.

The first step is to pick a small branch at the bottom of the lavender bush. It should be borne in mind that only a few stems can be cut from each bush.

A small hole is dug at a distance of about 15 cm and a sprig of lavender is placed there. This must be done so that the middle section of the branch is in the ground, and the flowering end remains outside.

With the help of a stone or staple, the stem must be pressed down and covered with earth. This is done to ensure that the cut is not disturbed by wind or other weather conditions.

The seedling needs a moist environment. Periodic watering will be sufficient, but not overfilled. In summer, young lavender should be given special attention. You can save moisture on the ground with mulch.

After four months of active growth, the lavender sprout should be checked for roots. If they are present and shackle a clod of earth behind them, the plant can be dug up and cut off.

Then it remains to transplant the bush to a new place. Grooming further in the way that regular lavender needs it.

Useful properties and harm of lavender

Application

Lavender is not only a bright bush that delights the human eye, but also useful plant, which is used to treat many diseases. Everyone will ask how to plant lavender with seeds or cuttings so that it has medicinal properties?

It doesn't matter at all. The main thing is that the plant is grown in a clean area.

Flower essential oil is often used in cooking as a natural flavoring agent, as well as in the preparation of expensive sausages and meat products. In France, Italy and Spain, dried flowers are used to season dishes of vegetables, fish, and meat.

The main positive side of the perennial bush is that it strengthens the immune system and protects the body from viral and respiratory diseases.

Lavender composition

Thanks to the rich chemical composition lavender, it has not only a pleasant aroma, but also taste, and even benefits the human body. The plant contains a large number of essential oils that are used not only in cooking, but also in medicine and cosmetology.

The green bush is rich in a high amount of acetic, valerian, butyric and caproic acid. The usefulness of the plant lies in its ability to improve blood circulation.

Lavender in medicine

The plant helps to relieve fatigue and headaches. Lavender is used for paralysis and convulsions after a stroke, as well as for diseases of the brain and its vascular system.

Besides all this, flowers are an excellent remedy for toothache removal. Its composition helps to remove excess fluid from the body. For pregnant women, tea from lavender flowers is recommended to warm the uterus.

When treating the stomach, the plant is beneficial in that it relieves cramps and discomfort. Take lavender in the form of tea.

Very often, doctors recommend taking tea from flowers for melancholy, neurasthenia, irritability, hysteria, body infections, asthma, severe cough, tuberculosis, Escherichia coli, cystitis, scrofula, rheumatism, flatulence, fever, rash on the body and many other human health problems ...

For external use, the infusion of the flower is useful for head lice, leucorrhoea, ulcers on the body and other skin rashes.

As additional funds it is used to treat mosquito, bee and snake bites, as well as hair loss, acne, burns, and lung diseases.

Lavender in cosmetology

The most popular lavender variety used in cosmetology is French broadleaf. An essential oil is prepared from it, which is used for preparations for the care of the skin of the body, hair, and nails.

The plant's lush bushes are useful in fighting cellulite and as an anti-aging mask that stops the aging process of the skin.

Harm to lavender

With the combined use of lavender oil and tablets containing iodine and iron, the effect of minerals is reduced. Therefore, vitamin kits are simply incompatible with this plant. The interval between taking medications should be at least 4 hours.

Essential oil should not be used with low blood pressure and vegetative dystonia. The course of these diseases can become more complicated and fatal.

In all other cases, the product should be consumed in moderation and then it will only bring a positive result.

This, at first glance, a simple bush plant like lavender has many positive medicinal properties.

It can be grown not only on the street, but also indoors. With proper care, it will delight its owners with an elegant look and simply delicious aroma.

In the Caucasus, in the mountainous regions of Europe, in Russia and the Crimea, a spice plant - lavender is found in abundance. Due to its beauty and wonderful aroma, the plant is becoming more and more popular among the owners of private houses and summer cottages in central Russia. For growing lavender, seedlings obtained from seeds are used.

Preparing for landing

Lavender is grown from seeds. Unlike many decorative crops, for which the material is recommended to be bought in the store, lavender seeds can be harvested from their own plantings - daughter flowers will not yield to the beauty and aroma of the mother.

In the regions of Russia, where the climate is cold, and the seeds are usually not sown directly into open ground, but lavender is planted with seedlings. Sometimes they are sown in a closed greenhouse. In any case, you must first prepare the seeds.

Stratification

Before sowing, the seeds are necessarily stratified, i.e. awaken. There is already prepared material on sale, but if it has been stored for too long, it will also need to be activated. Without the procedure, the seeds may not sprout at all or sprout too late. In addition, stratification significantly increases the winter hardiness of the material.

Interesting fact
In the seeds, the embryos of the future lavender are in a state of physiological rest and are waiting optimal conditions to start growing. Since summer is in middle lane too short for lavender, the seeds have to be “awakened” in advance.

Stratification in sawdust:

1. Take sawdust (there should be ten times more of them than seeds), pour over boiling water, and then squeeze out excess moisture.
2. Mix the seeds with sawdust and place everything in an airtight container (such as a plastic bag, glass or plastic jar). There must be air in the container with sawdust and seeds.
3. Leave the seeds with sawdust for three days at room temperature. During this time, both materials are saturated with moisture, the sawdust will swell.
4. After three days, move the container to the refrigerator for 1-1.5 months. The optimum temperature will be from +3 to + 5 ° C. If it is higher, the germination period of the seeds will increase.
5. As soon as white growths appear on a quarter of the total number of seeds, the stratification procedure has come to an end and they need to be planted. It is impossible to allow sprouts to sprout out of the seeds, since when planted in a substrate they will be easily injured.

Advice! Mix sawdust with seeds from time to time: this will improve germination and prevent the appearance of mold.

To carry out stratification using soil in early January, moistened lavender seed is scattered over the surface of the substrate in a small container. Then they cover everything with foil and put it in the refrigerator on the lower shelf, on the glazed loggia, in the cellar or basement for 30-45 days. The temperature there should be approximately + 4˚ С.

Lavender loves relatively loose and very fertile soil. The necessary soil is most often purchased in the store, but it will not be difficult to prepare it yourself.

This will require:

• 3 pieces of garden land;
• 2 parts of humus;
• 1 part coarse river sand.

Advice! Take garden land from under the trees, as in these places the most fertile layer of it is formed.

If there is no garden or forest land, then ordinary soil will completely replace it. Sand is needed to ensure that the soil is light and permeable to oxygen.

It is recommended to disinfect the substrate before planting seeds. To do this, a couple of days before sowing, the soil is spilled with a hot pale pink (1% percent) solution of potassium permanganate, steamed, heated in an oven (at a temperature of 110-130 ° C) or exposed to cold (for example, in freezer). Then the substrate must be loosened: sift so that there are no large lumps left. It is also advisable to disinfect dishes and tools, since most rot and viral diseases of seedlings are not treated - they are easier to prevent.

Last preparatory stage- pour a layer of expanded clay or small clay shards on the bottom of the container. The soil is placed on top.

Advice! In no case should vermiculite be used for the drainage layer, as it often contains asbestos, although manufacturers do not indicate this on the packaging.

Landing

Lavender is a heat-loving plant, so young bushes are afraid of frost, and they need to be planted in the ground after constant heat is established, best of all - at the end of June. In order for the seedlings to grow stronger by this time, the seeds are planted at home in February. In the greenhouse, the material is protected from cold weather, so it is permissible to sow a little later, in March.

Place the awakened seeds in the prepared substrate together with sawdust to a depth of three to five millimeters and leave at a temperature of + 20-25 ° C for germination. In order to strengthen the seedlings, they are periodically sprayed with Epin's solution.

The container must always be in a plastic bag or under a lid; there is no need to open it for irrigation, since natural moisture is provided due to the accumulating condensate. However, you need to carefully monitor so that there is no mold, if this happens, the damaged areas need to be thrown out, and the seedlings should be allowed to air (the temperature in the room should be at least 20-25 degrees.

Advice! Try to protect the seeds as much as possible during germination from temperature extremes. It is also important to ensure the optimal level of humidity in the room (approximately 60-65%).

After about 15 days, tender sprouts will appear. From this time it is recommended to start hardening, daily removing the greenhouse cover for 10-20 minutes and gradually lengthening this interval. The sprouts must first prepare for room conditions, then to relocation to the garden.

Seedling care

As soon as the first shoots appear, move the container to a well-lit place. The sill of a south-facing window is best suited. Plants must be sure to get enough light for ten hours. Additional illumination with a phytolamp will help to provide the optimal amount of light. The most suitable temperature for seedlings is from +15 to + 22˚ С.

Advice! The seedlings are elongated, they look weak, the leaves are pale - these are clear signs of a lack of lighting, it is necessary to extend the daylight hours.

Root respiration is essential for lavender. In order to prevent excessive compaction of the soil, you should periodically carefully so as not to damage the roots and stems, loosen the soil with a sharpened match or a toothpick.

Picking

At the stage of two true leaves, lavender seedlings need to be moved into large boxes or separate pots - this is necessary so that the roots and foliage of neighboring bushes do not interfere with each other's development.

Transplanting should be done carefully, using the transshipment method, so as not to damage root system... The sprouts are dug in with a small object (a ruler, the smallest baby scoop, a tablespoon) together with an earthen lump and transferred to the prepared hole. There should be at least five centimeters between the plants.

Watering

Since lavender is a visitor from the tropics, it loves an abundance of water. The soil in the container with seedlings should always be slightly moist. The plant must be watered once a day with settled water. room temperature... But if the room is cool (within 18-20˚ C), then you need to water less often: excess moisture will lead to mold or rot, and the lavender will die.

Advice! Water the root plants very carefully as the lavender seedlings are very tender. This is best done with a disposable small syringe or syringe.

Top dressing

Once every 7 days, it is recommended to feed lavender seedlings with specially designed complex fertilizers (sold in specialized flower departments and stores). Adult bushes need fertilizing with nitrogen fertilizers and only during the flowering period.

Relocation to the garden

60 days after germination, you can start transplanting lavender into open ground. A good time is May-June, however, due to unstable weather over the past few years, it is preferable to relocate the seedlings to the garden at the end of the first summer month. But before that, you need to correctly choose a site. For the flowering of lavender to be early and abundant, the bed should be well lit, but in a slight shade: direct sunlight harms the plant. In full shade, lavender will also bloom, but much later.

The level of water in the soil is equally important. Lavender will die from both excess moisture and moisture deficiency. For this reason, it is strongly discouraged to plant plants in swampy areas, in hollows and where groundwater runs close.

The composition of the soil should be light enough, permeable to moisture and air, with a slightly alkaline reaction. A few days before the transplant, it is necessary to refresh and disinfect the soil. If last season the plantings were affected by disease or pests, and the soil was not renewed, it is necessary to remove the top layer and replace it with a fresh one. Then the bed is spilled with a hot, weak solution of potassium permanganate. After that, it is thoroughly loosened.

Advice! To ensure a slight alkalinity of the soil (if the pH is below 6.5-7.5), add a little wood ash or lime.

Next, holes or trenches are prepared. At the bottom, a drainage layer of expanded clay, clay shards or broken brick is laid out. The bushes are transferred to a new place of residence by transshipment, so as not to damage the delicate roots.

Planting care

Once planted outdoors, lavender will need careful maintenance over several seasons. The plant develops rather slowly, needs weeding and moderate watering in dry weather. In late autumn, young plants must be covered with fallen leaves or spruce branches. This is necessary for insulation.

Advice! The composting will improve the aeration of the soil, air will easily penetrate to the roots. In addition, such a measure will saturate the earth with micro and macro elements.

In the first year of life, lavender looks inconspicuous, this is due to the growth of the root system during this period. Plants gain green mass, bush and bloom only in the second or third year. To increase bushiness, you need to pinch the tops of the bushes - the first procedure is carried out when 6 pairs of leaves appear on the plant. Pruning first years to a height of 15 cm will also help to give a beautiful shape.

Experienced gardeners recognize that caring for lavender seedlings is troublesome. But if done correctly, the result will not be disappointing.

A few notes and tips to help you grow luxurious flowers:

1. Growing lavender from seeds is a costly way to get plants, but one of the most reliable.
2. Choose seed varieties designed for the climate close to your garden conditions.
3. The most unpretentious care is considered to be broad-leaved lavender. Narrow-leaved is unstable to low negative temperatures, sensitive to excess moisture in the soil, often dies as a result of damping.
4. Systematic ventilation has a beneficial effect on lavender, but it is afraid of drafts.
5. The optimal time for plant transplanting is early spring or autumn.

While providing proper care even the most whimsical lavender varieties will surely delight you with the appearance of flowers with a delightful aroma. Growing a culture is not too difficult, it adapts well, the main thing is accuracy and patience.

The world of flora is surprisingly diverse and varied. It combines the most different plants and many varieties of even the same crops. Lavender deserves special attention, which is represented by three dozen species. In nature, this bright bush can be found in Australia, India, the Canary Islands, Arabia, southern Europe, North and East Africa. The simple planting and maintenance of lavender makes it very attractive to a wide range of growers.

French kind of lavender

French lavender is no less common in the garden: planting and caring for this crop is not particularly difficult. However, it should be borne in mind that, compared to the previous version, this variety is more fastidious and capricious. Visually, the broadleaf group practically does not differ from the English variety. But often its inflorescences are somewhat shorter.

Most often, it is French lavender that is grown on the balcony: planting and caring for this potted crop has certain characteristics, but in general there are no problems here. The plant is characterized amazingly beautiful flowers... The spectrum of their shades is strikingly wide and includes such paints as:

• pink;
• lilac;
• green;
• burgundy;
• purple;
• white.

The attractiveness of this variety lies in the fact that it begins to bloom much earlier than its other "congeners". Already in April and May, this lavender begins to smell fragrant. For the summer, you can take the plant out into the garden.

Features of the narrow-leaved variety

It is impossible not to make a reservation that there is a lavender Angustifolia (Lavandulaangustifolia). This is a narrow-leaved variant, which is essentially a perennial evergreen dwarf shrub. The flower is quite unpretentious. It is frost-resistant, which allows it to be actively grown in various regions. Moreover, this option can be cultivated in pots or tubs, which are cleaned into the house for the winter. For flower growers, this lavender has a special value.

Among other features of this culture, it is worth noting the absence of a central stem. The bush is represented by a combination of several shoots. Sometimes their number reaches 400. Narrow-leaved lavender has a lot of features: planting and caring for this plant is also characterized by a number of nuances. The root system of the flower is superficial. It is located very close to the top of the ground. It can be called highly branched, dense and rather rough. The leaf plates of this group of lavender are elongated and narrow. They are a rich green hue. The edges of the leaves are slightly bent.

Lavender Manstead

The original Manstead lavender is another member of this group. This variety is considered narrow-leaved. This culture blooms in July and August. A perennial, forming in the form of a semi-shrub, is distinguished by the presence of a fibrous and woody root, numerous shoots, linear and opposite leaves. The shade of the plates is greenish-silver with gray tints. Plus they have a gentle and light pubescence. The height of the grass reaches 60 cm. In this culture, blue or bluish-lilac buds are formed, collected in spike-shaped inflorescences.

Lavender Yuzhanka

This group includes other varieties, for example, narrow-leaved lavender Yuzhanka, which requires the creation of certain conditions for successful cultivation... As for the description of the culture, this variety is distinguished by its low height. Usually, a perennial does not grow taller than 60 cm.

The attractiveness of the plant lies in the fact that it thinns the exquisite aroma.

Lavender Southerner is very popular: planting and caring for this plant has a number of features. So, it is recommended to plant grass in sunny areas that are well protected from winds and drafts. The flower prefers light soils. But the main requirement of Yuzhanka is to obtain a sufficient amount of ultraviolet radiation. In order for the variety to actively develop and bloom, the duration of daylight hours must be at least 6 hours.

Southern lavender is not only included in the group of narrow-leaved varieties. Among other representatives of this species, it is worth noting varieties:

1. Ellagance;
2. Rosea;
3. Munsted;
4. Hidcote;
5. Steppe;
6. Alba;
7. Record, etc.

Lavender Voznesenskaya 34

Among other plants of this species, Voznesenskaya 34 narrow-leaved lavender deserves attention, since it is widely used in folk medicine... The plant allows you to cheer up and relieve emotional overload. This fragrant perennial has melliferous and spicy-aromatic properties. The flower is medicinal, which is proven by its antispasmodic and antiseptic properties. The variety, represented by a spherical bush with lilac-purple inflorescences, is used for therapeutic baths, improving appetite, with neuralgia and bronchitis.

A variety of varieties and the most beautiful options

It is worth dealing with the variability of this plant and its features. different varieties. Lavender Blue Space deserves special attention, which is distinguished not only by its attractive appearance, but also has healing properties.
This is herbaceous plant related to perennials. The height of these flowers varies from 30 to 35 cm. Their stems are branched. The appeal of this look is that it is suitable for:

• cuts for summer bouquets;
• decoration of winter flower arrangements;
• decorating plots.

Plus, the Blue Space is an excellent natural antiseptic. The herb is prescribed for neurasthenia and headache. This lavender is grown from seeds: planting and flower care are standard.

Lavender Butterfly and Victory

Another common solution is Butterfly lavender, which is known to flower growers for its original appearance. Fragrant flowers visually resemble butterflies. The height of this shrub is 30 cm. This plant begins to bloom very early. Already in mid-April, buds are formed, which persist until July, and in the second half of summer, a second flowering may begin.

Another popular solution is Victory lavender, an essential oil-type perennial. It can grow up to 1 meter. The bush is fairly sprawling. Lanceolate-type sheet plates are formed on it. Their grayish hue goes well with unusual flowers in the lilac spectrum. The attractiveness of this variety lies in its rich and fairly persistent aroma. Plus Victory is not afraid of frost and drought.

Lavender Delight

Lavender Delight deserves special attention, which has some attractive features. This is a fragrant and very beautiful evergreen type plant. The perennial grows up to 60 cm in height. This is a subshrub, which by its nature is a wonderful honey plant. The bush itself is compact and strongly branched. The plant blooms in late July.

The flower feels best in sunny and fairly dry areas. Lavender is planted with seeds: the cultivation and care of this variety is based on the basic requirements of the crop. This type of lavender can be used as:

1. soothing composition;
2. seasoning;
3. remedy for moths;
4. an element of a perfume composition;
5. choleretic drug;
6. remedy for neuralgia and rheumatic pains.

Lavender Mini Blue and Hydcote

Another option is Mini Blue lavender with inflorescences of blue color... The height of the bush does not exceed 30 cm. The perennial type semi-shrub is distinguished by the presence of linear and opposite leaves. This plant is grown in fresh and dry soil. The soil should be sandy-clayey, gravelly and moisture-permeable. It is great if there is lime in the substrate and nutrients in moderation. The grass grows well and develops in warm, sunny and even hot places. But this variety is quite sensitive to frost.

Another variety is Lavender Hydcote: planting and caring for this narrow-leaved version is inherently no different from the cultivation of other similar herbs. Hydcote Blue is a compact variety. This perennial is grown as a framing element of plant compositions. It looks no less refined and elegant along the paths. The attractiveness of this variety lies in its unique decorative properties. Even Hydcot's leaf plates have a greenish-silvery hue. Bluish buds form in mid-summer and thin out the rich aroma.

Some features of growing lavender

Any perennial lavender is grown quite simply: planting and caring for it is nothing extremely difficult, the main thing is to plant the plant correctly.

This process is quite responsible. It is better not to move adults from place to place, since they do not tolerate a change of site extremely badly. If you have to do this, then it is worth replanting the grass with a large earthy clod. It is recommended to leave enough space between adjacent plants, and the spacing should be approximately equal. This will allow you to achieve a splendid and slim fit.

Planting lavender on the site

Among other features of this process, it is worth noting the possibility of planting a culture not only with seeds, but also with cuttings. Moreover, the second option is preferable, since in this case the flowers root better. The algorithm for performing the work is extremely simple. The bushes only need to be deepened into the loose soil by a couple of centimeters. Then they are covered with foil. They need to be watered systematically. Rooted specimens are transplanted to the desired site.

Ground requirements

Garden lavender does not cause difficulties in cultivation: planting and caring for it means watering, fertilizing, loosening, weeding. The flower does not like dense soils, since the root system of the plant is demanding on high-quality air circulation. Weeding and loosening should be done regularly. You can also form a dense layer of mulch. To do this, use multi-colored decorative substrates or decayed foliage. The main thing is to leave open the ground near the base of the trunk to prevent rotting.

Lavender watering rules

Lavender is the flower that many associate with French Provence... Therefore, most gardeners grow lavender in order to get at least a little bit in this stunning place. This flower has its own characteristics that must be taken into account when growing and nursing outdoors. And then lavender will look luxurious, smell great and delight you every day.

Lavender varieties

Lavender belongs to ornamental garden and park plants. It is an evergreen bush with small flowers that gather in single spikelets. Such a plant begins to bloom at the end of summer. His homeland is the Mediterranean. The shrub is unpretentious to the soil, frost-resistant, very fond of light and moisture. Flowers can be purple, white, blue and lilac. It doesn't matter where the gardener lives, in St. Petersburg or in the regions of Siberia, you can plant and care for lavender everywhere.

Today, there are more than 30 varieties of lavender. They all differ in color, shape, height. The most popular types:

Narrow-leaved lavender

This species is also called in another way "English", "medicinal", "spikelet". It reaches 1 meter in height and width. The height of the peduncle is about 80 centimeters. Flowering teaches for June-July. It blooms with small flowers, which are collected in a brush. This species includes different varieties: Alba (white), Beechwoodblue (blue), Rose (pink), Jim and Hydecoat (purple). It is very difficult to grow and care for such a lavender variety in the Moscow region, since the conditions are very far from those of the Crimean ones.

Dutch lavender

The bushes are up to 2 meters wide. The plant blooms for a limited amount of time - only in July. Famous varieties: Grosso, Saviers, Arabain Knight, Richard Gray.

Jagged lavender

The leaves of this species are silvery, carved, and the flowers are large enough. The bush itself is very dense, reaching a height of only 30 centimeters. Usually this kind is grown at home, and such lavender becomes a houseplant.

French lavender

The bushes are voluminous, reaching a height of 1.3 meters. The leaves are large and the flowers are small. This type is very often chosen by designers to decorate hedges or borders along paths.

Many gardeners who live in the Leningrad region often plant and tend lavender. And any of the aforementioned species will grow well in this part of Russia.

Seed planting

Despite the fact that lavender is considered an unpretentious plant, the process of planting by seeds is not the easiest one. This method can only be used if you do not have the opportunity to buy seedlings for planting lavender. Lavender seeds must be stratified. Under the influence of low temperature and moisture, the seeds swell and then germinate better. This procedure can also boost immunity and protect against winter period from sudden changes in temperature.

After that, you need to plant the seeds in a container. After a week, the container must be covered with glass or plastic wrap and put in a warm room. Do not forget to moisten the soil with a spray bottle. Sprouts will gradually appear. The room temperature should range from 15 to 22 degrees Celsius. In this room, lavender will grow stronger until spring.

When the weather improves, the frosts will pass, and the soil warms up, the plants can be transplanted into open ground to a permanent place. Just don't count on blooming in the same year. Lavender will need almost a season to develop its root system and build up leaf mass.

Planting by cuttings

The simplest and easiest way of propagation is considered to be cuttings. The procedure itself is no different from grafting other crops. You need to do the following:

• Cut off an annual shoot with a sharp knife;
• Cut it into cuttings;
• Prepare a suitable soil for them;
• Make a depression and plant 2-3 centimeters in the ground;
• Cover the seedling with foil and create a greenhouse;
• Water the plant in moderation regularly.

The cuttings take root very quickly. Then it will only be necessary to plant the lavender in the chosen permanent place in the garden, but at the same time, the planting scheme must be observed.

Reproduction by dividing the bush

Many gardeners have shrubs that have been growing for several years, so they can resort to propagation such as dividing the bush. To do this, you need to do the following:

• Choose a strong and healthy bush;
• Cut off the upper shoots in the summer;
• Till the ground near the shoots;
• In the fall, you need to dig up the lavender and carefully divide it into two parts. This should be done with minimal damage to the root system;
• Separated plants should be planted in open ground on the same day.

Plant care

When caring for lavender, first of all pay attention to watering. This is especially important for young plants. While the seedling is getting used to its new location, it should be watered almost every two weeks.

On hot days, the bushes should be watered more often, that is, once a week. Do not overmoisten the shrub, because this is also dangerous for the plant.

As far as top dressing is concerned, this is a very important aspect in growing garden lavender outdoors. It is carried out in several stages:

• In spring, lavender should be fed with nitrogen fertilizer. To do this, prepare a solution of 10 liters of water and 2 tablespoons of sodium humate. Each bush takes 5 liters of the resulting solution;
• The period of budding and flowering. At this point in the life of lavender, every 2-3 weeks, the bushes are fed with a complex fertilizer with the addition of potassium and phosphorus;
• It is imperative to prune immediately after flowering. In the fall, they do a rejuvenating procedure that prolongs the life of your plant. Young shrubs should be spud in autumn and spring.

Preparing for winter

Most hobbyists think that cutting lavender for the winter is not worth it, but they are wrong. This procedure must be done without fail. With each passing year, the stems of lavender become harder and thicker. And if you carry out timely pruning, this will help the lavender not only rejuvenate, but bloom more luxuriant and thicker. Lavender can be left unshorn, but then the stems will be vulnerable to frost and strong winds.

Pruning lavender for the winter is a snap. It is necessary to remove those branches that have already bloomed for two seasons. The stem of each plant consists of a woody part and a green one. For the winter, it is worth cutting off the green part in the place where the shoot is 3 centimeters higher than the stiff part. Thanks to this, lavender will be able to calmly survive the winter.

Lavender, like any other plant that grows outdoors, needs additional protection during the winter. Shrubs can survive frosts down to -25 degrees. In the southern regions, such measures will not be necessary, since there usually does not happen a strong drop in temperature. But many gardeners play it safe and cover the bushes with a thick layer of snow. Lavender in the Urals can also be planted, but do not forget to cover it for the winter.

If lavender grows in the middle lane, it must also be covered for the winter. Usually covered with a wooden or plywood box. You can also cover it with spruce branches. It is not recommended to insulate shrubs with fallen leaves or straw. Because of these two materials, the bushes begin to rot and rot.