By planting a lavender hedge you can create a defined area in the garden, add a soft border to paths and walks and attract plenty of beneficial bees and pollinators. Growing low, this is a hedge that won’t get out of hand or cause neighbor disputes. It is easy to care for and with a little care it will last for years.
Lavender is a classic cottage garden stunner, but fits all styles, from Mediterranean gravel spaces to chic urban patios. Its flowering period is long, from June to September, and the fragrant foliage retains its color year-round, even when the plant is dormant in winter.
If you want to plant a lavender hedge in your garden all you need is a sunny spot and our simple Growing lavender Tips for success.
How to Plant a Lavender Hedge
- Fork on the ground in your area Garden landscaping Where you want to create a hedge. Space plants about 30cm apart (or 45cm for larger species, check plant label for height and spread). If the soil is heavy, incorporate plenty of horticultural mulch before planting.
- Dig a hole that is slightly larger than the plant’s root ball.
- Remove the plant from its pot and place it in the ground. Fill the gap, and then reinforce around the base.
- Water thoroughly, aiming for the roots, not the foliage. After planting, water regularly in dry weather for the first growing season. After that, he should take care of himself. In general, lavender does not need food. You can occasionally, but not necessarily, use an all-purpose feed to improve overall plant health.
A lavender hedge must be planted
Spear and Jackson
Spear and Jackson 4550DF stainless steel fork
Dig into the soil to prepare your lavender hedge for planting with this stainless-steel fork. It is rust resistant with a weatherproof hardwood handle for durability. Comes with a 10 year warranty.
Thompson and Morgan
Horticultural Potting Grit
This horticultural grit can be added to heavy soil to help improve drainage and aeration when planting lavender hedges. Also suitable for planting alpine plants, cacti and succulents.
Srandy
Srendi® Heavy Duty Mattock
Our editor, Beth Murton, has this in her garden tool collection, her husband said it was the best £20 she ever spent on a garden tool! It makes light work of digging holes for planting and easily breaks up soil, especially if it is compacted or contains lots of rocks.
When is the best time to plant a lavender hedge?
Although the fall and winter months are a good time to start planning your lavender hedge and thinking about what types of plants you want to include in your design, you should wait until the ground warms before planting them.
In the UK, this can be anytime from mid-April to late July. If it’s a cold spring, it’s best to wait until May to plant. Lavender roots will grow faster in warm soil.
What is the best lavender for a lavender hedge?
English lavender The strongest and longest living. This hardy perennial has small flowers on gray/green stems.
French lavenderThose with tufty top petals that look like butterfly wings are less hardy, so unless your chosen site for the hedge is extremely sheltered, it’s best to go for the English variety.
There are more than 250 English lavenders, and they include dwarf plants, which do not grow taller than 30cm. Lavender ‘Dwarf Blue’ (available from Thompson & Morgan) and ‘Miss Muffet’ are two examples.
Includes larger, bushier choices for larger gardens Lavender intermedia ‘Grosso’ (Available from Thompson & Morgan) Which is peaked in height and spread.
Lavenders don’t just come in blue. You can get white, misty purple or even pink!
Lavender varieties to plant in your hedge
Crocus
Lavandula angustifolia ‘Manstead’
An absolute classic, it has true green foliage and purple spiers of flowers. A compact variety, this popular favorite will grow to around 45cm in height so is a good choice for a low-growing hedge along a path or patio. It will flower during the summer months.
Thompson and Morgan
Lavender ‘Alba’
There’s something super stylish about white lavender, especially when grown together. This white-flowered variety is vigorous and robust, making it a great choice for a low-maintenance hedge. It will grow to a height of about 75cm.
Thompson and Morgan
Lavender ‘Rosa’
Another beautiful alternative to purple-flowered lavender, this rosy pink variety is both delicious in appearance and aroma. It flowers between July and September and grows up to 60 cm tall with a spread of 75 cm.
Where should I plant a lavender hedge?
The key to success with lavender is good drainage. As a Mediterranean garden The plant will not thrive in wet or heavy, wet soil, so a well-drained site is essential.
Choose a sunny spot and your lavender hedge should thrive in the right conditions. It’s a great choice for that Low maintenance gardens Once established your lavender hedge should require very little water or care.
If you don’t have the right type of soil or conditions in your garden, another option is to plant lavender in rows. Gardeners To mimic the hedge effect. This will allow you to have more control over the soil in which your lavender is planted.
When should I prune a lavender hedge?
English lavender should be pruned twice a year to keep the hedge bushy and compact. This will stop leggy brown stems from appearing. When the flowers fade in late summer or early fall, cut them off with a pair of secateurs. This Spear and Jackson Bypass Secateurs are highly rated on Amazon.
Then cut about 2.5 cm from the leaves of the plant, making sure that some green remains. This brings light into the plant and enables new shoots to form before the lavender goes dormant in winter.
In late February or early March if it’s a cooler month, lightly trim the lavender plant again using a pair of sharp garden shears.
Do you want to plant a lavender hedge as a Consider garden screening Or simply want to naturally zone different areas of your plot, this beautifully scented plant is a classic choice.
Growing trees in pots It’s another good option if you’re looking to break up the space and create extra privacy.
The original version of this article previously appeared on Gardeningetc, a sister website to Homebuilding and Renovating.
