Would you like to grow your own? If you are like me and have struggled to keep your lavender alive, then let me share what I have learnt over the years. Through a lot of trial and error I came across English lavender in particular Munstead and Hidcote. These hardy varieties could be for you.
Table of Contents
- Differences between Munstead and Hidcote Lavender
- Growing requirements for English Lavender
- Growing English Lavender in pots
- Pruning and harvesting
- Uses for Lavender
- Related posts you may also enjoy
Differences between Munstead and Hidcote Lavender
Both varieties Munstead and Hidcote are types of English lavender. While they have a lot in common there are some differences you should keep in mind. These differences may be affect your decision on which one you would like to grow in your garden.
Munstead
Munstead lavender named after Gertrude Jekyll’s garden at Munstead woods in the early 1900s, she was an important name in garden design. Would you like to learn about her and her home? I found this great article, click here to read it, I found her story very interesting.
This variety grows to around 1-2 feet (30-60cm) tall with a 2-3 feet (60-90cm) spread. It has a lighter purple flower that is in a loose cluster on the stem. It also has a shaggier appearance.
Other names include, true lavender, garden lavender and common lavender.
Hidcote
Hidcote lavender named after the Hidcote manor in Gloucestershire by a Major Lawrence Johnston.
This variety of lavender grows upto 2-3 feet (60-90cm) tall with a spread of up to 2 feet (60cm). It’s flowers have a lot tighter clusters and are in a deeper purple colour. This variety has a neater look making it perfect planted in a row creating a dwarf hedgerow.
Known as Mediterranean lavender and common lavender.
Growing requirements for English Lavender
While there are some differences in appearance between the two the growing conditions are pretty much the same for both.
Both are classed as zone 5 plants this will mean they can withstand cold winters. But, what they will not stand for is being sat in water through these cold months.
Even though they may be named English Lavender they are still classed as Mediterranean plants. If you have read any of my Mediterranean herb posts (check out this post in particular) then you you will already know what this means. If you haven then simply they will need an airy location with well draining light gritty soil, that is in full sun.
In my garden we have a heavy clay soil so unfortunately most of the lavender that I have planted over the years has died. But, I have one bush that thrives, it is a Munstead lavender, it is planted next to a drain and is partly sheltered under a deck cover. This has meant that it gets a good amount of protection from the rain, also the rain that does flow down into that area quickly drains away. I have had this plant for over 10 years now and it is still going strong.
Growing English Lavender in pots
Because of the heavy clay soil in my garden and the area I live (BC, Canada) I grow the majority of my lavenders in pots. This way I can control the growing conditions.
The best pots to use are terracotta not only is it a great material for growing lavender in or in fact any Mediterranean herb for that matter, but, they also look so esthetically pleasing. I mean who doesn’t look at a row of terracotta pots and not instantly think of Italy or Greece.
I use a mix of good all purpose potting soil with grit, vermiculite or perlite this will keep the soil loose and free draining. A good test is to take a handful of the soil try to form a ball with it, if it is poor and gritty it shouldn’t be able to hold its form.
A nice thing about lavender and any other related plants is that it wont need feeding or replenishing. I love this fact, it makes for a nice low maintenance shrub.
Pruning and harvesting
You will need to cut back your lavender and this will happen at least twice a year. One will be a light prune to basically remove the dead blooms. The other will be a harder pruning this will be to help maintain its size and shape.
So when should you do the pruning? The light trim the one where you are only removing the flowers, this can happen anytime from the start of August into September. You can make that decision as to when, it is going to come down to looks. Do you want to see the flowers even once they have faded or not. The main this is that you will need to cut these flowers off at some point but there isn’t a rush to do this.
The other pruning is more important it can be hard to do this one, but trust the process. This is a harder prune one where you will be cutting most of the foliage off. You will want to do this at the start of April, cutting the bush back by at least half, the goal is to make your lavender bushy, healthy and not woody looking. Make sure you do not cut into the old wood though this may effect the growth.
How to fix an unpruned English Lavender
I made the mistake of not pruning once, fearing that my lavender wouldn’t grow back. Because I did this it started to look so bad, the center of the bush had no growth on it so it looked so leggy. If you are in this same situation don’t despair there is hope. It may take a couple of years to get it back looking good but it is so worth it.
Let me tell you how I fixed mine. You will need to cut into the old wood. I know I said above do not do this but it is going to have to happen. With that said it will be done in stages.
Stage one happens the moment the flowers are done, this will be at the beginning of August. You will be cutting back half the bush down into the old wood, now I do not mean cutting it right down to the ground but into at least a third of the way down the old wood. For the other half of the bush only remove the flowers. It wont be pretty but it is necessary and you will be thankful later.
Stage two this may happen in April, you are going to repeat the same process but for the other half. That is only if the side you cut back hard in August is growing back and has leaves, if it doesn’t then you will need to wait until August again. Hopefully your shrub will be nice and bushy again in no time.
Uses for Lavender
Where to begin this is an amazing plant with so many uses.
I love to cut a few sprigs of flowers and put them in bud vases they smell amazing and are a beautiful decoration. They will naturally dry in those vases when left without water, try it yourself.
Other uses include lavender pouches that you place into the drawers of a dresser. You can also use those sachets by adding them to sugar, this will infuse the flavour into the sugar which you can then use to cook with.
Another great use is by making lavender infused syrups and jams.
There are tons of therapy uses too that aid in relaxation and calming. The list goes on and on.
Lavender is a plant that continues to give and give. I hope you find some joy in growing English lavender like I have.
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