LAVENDER |
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All lavenders need AN OPEN POSITION IN full sun and a fertile, well drained soil.
Lavenders like a cold winter, and are generally unsuited to climates warmer than Sydney.
They are useful as low hedges, as a border, and around the house and pathways, for their
aromatic foliage and flowers. Trim lightly in spring to maintain a compact habit. Lavenders present a confusion of common name problems. For example, in Europe, generally Lavandula stoechas is commonly called FRENCH LAVENDER. In Australia, French lavender is commonly known as L. dentata, and L. stoechas we know better as Italian or Spanish lavender. For the purpose of these notes, we will use the latter. Lavandula spica - syn. L. angustifolia, L. officinalis (English Lavender.) Dense bushy evergreen shrub of irregular outline, to 1 meter. Very hardy. Small, gray furry leaves become green with age. Slender spikes of scented mauve flowers carried above the foliage, appear from Spring to Autumn. Makes an attractive fast growing low hedge. "Alba" has white flowers. "Hidcote" has deep purple flowers and grows to 45cm. "Munstead" is a smaller version of this lavender to 60 cm, and has narrowly oblong, grey green aromatic leaves, with dense spikes of tiny, fragrant, blue-purple flowers from mid to late summer. "Nana" is another dwarf form of this lavender, with rosy mauve flowers and a finer more needle like leaf shape. Lavandula stoechas - Spanish Lavender Hardy dense shrub to approximately 50 cm with a spread of 50 cm with many branches from the base, thickly clothed with aromatic silver-gray green leaves. Heads of tiny fragrant deep purple flowers, with several of the bracts elongating into a colorful petal form, in late spring and summer. Lavandula dentata - French Lavender Evergreen bushy shrub to 1 meter height and 1 meter spread. Aromatic leaves are fern like, toothed and grey-green. Dense spikes of small slightly fragrant tubular, lavender blue flowers and purple bracts, are borne in winter and spring. Lavandula multifida canariensis - Canary Islands Lavender, Fern Leaved Lavender. An attractive lavender with green finely divided ferny foliage. Showy deep blue/violet flowers to 45 cm., from summer through to spring. Lavandula Lanata - Woolly Lavender Soft silver-white leaves and rich purple, english lavender-type flowers on long stems. Compact bush which needs good drainage and regular lime applications. Remove spent flowers from lavender as soon as they die. You may prune lightly to shape the bushes and remove dead foliage when necessary. Be prepared to replace your lavender bush every third or fourth year. Lavender is susceptible to overwatering so keep on the dry side. |
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This page prepared for GREENGOLD GARDEN CONCEPTS by Internet Gardencentre ™, and last updated October 01, 2006