Lavender — the surprising perennial plant having very high improving and decorative properties. The gentle bluish-lilac semi-bush belongs to thermophilic plants therefore it is possible to grow up it in the open ground not in all regions. In temperate climate most often grow up lavender English or narrow-leaved which is capable to maintain frosts to -25 °C.
The southern thermophilic plant prefers open unshaded areas with the sandy or sandy soil. Perennial roots very sensitively react to the increased humidity therefore for planting of plant it is impossible to use strongly boggy sites.
The perfect place for disembarkation of lavender are the various heights which are well warmed up by the sun and protected from strong winds and drafts. Pay attention that in adult state the lavender bush can reach up to one and a half meters in height therefore when choosing location it is necessary to be very attentive. The adult plant is not recommended to be replaced extremely as on the new place it very badly takes root. Intermediate-term life cycle of perennial makes about 20 years.
As the lavender breeds
Reproduction of lavender — process simple. Best of all the perennial breeds cherenkovaniye and layers, however sometimes it is possible to use method of division of bush. Cultivation of lavender from seeds — action quite labor-consuming. It will unambiguously demand large number of time and patience as before landing of sowing material it is necessary to carry out stratification surely.
This procedure means placement of seeds in humid and cold environment from ten days to one month. As a rule, seeds mix previously with the moistened peat, sand or sawdust then the received mix is slightly covered with polyethylene film and place in the fridge or cool cellar with air temperature not above +5 °C.
After stratification term sowing material is landed in in advance prepared tanks with the drainage hole and soil consisting of mix of the normal garden earth, humus and bank sand.
Young seedlings of lavender sprout only if the daylight hours lasts more than 8 hours, and air temperature rises above +18 °C. Pay attention that at seed way of reproduction the first blossoming of lavender occurs only in year after planting of plant to the open ground.
Reproduction of lavender division of bush is made at the end of the vegetative period. It is the most risky way as in this case the risk of death of maternal plant is very high. As a rule, resort to this method of reproduction only if the bush of lavender has very strongly expanded, and to it good cutting is vital.
Landing of lavender to the open ground
Disembarkation of young shanks of lavender is carried out at the end of May or at the beginning of June. Before landing young bushes of lavender it is necessary it is abundant to water then they together with earth lump are accurately planted in in advance prepared hole, trying to injure root system at the same time as little as possible. Not less half a meter from each other is the best of all to place semi-bushes at distance, however for receiving more equal border the interval between bushes can be cut almost by half.
How to look after lavender?
In general the lavender is extremely unpretentious plant. It is very resistant to drought and to many garden wreckers. Full care for lavender includes:
- Regular watering. It is carried out only in process of soil drying. The excessive humidity can lead to rotting of roots and death of plant.
- Fertilizing by fertilizers. Experienced gardeners know that during vegetative growth lavender approximately once a month it is necessary to feed up potash fertilizers. It is possible to bring nitric fertilizing in the soil in the spring, however here it is important not to be overzealous as nitrogen very often stimulates the active growth of plant to the detriment of magnificent blossoming.
- Weeding. It is recommended to be made regularly in process of growth of weeds. To facilitate work, the soil around lavender can be mulched compost or peat. However you watch that the mulch did not adjoin too densely to the basis of bush and stalks.
- This manipulation needs to be carried out regularly after watering as roots of lavender do not love too dense soil.
- This procedure is carried out in the spring and in the fall, and spring cutting almost always has mainly sanitary character. At the beginning of the vegetative period it is impossible to delete too many young escapes as it can lead to death of bush.
In climatic zones with frigid climate before approach of winter frosts the lavender is recommended to be covered with big coniferous branches surely. Use of leaves is extremely undesirable as it can lead to rotting of stalks.