Has anyone ever grown lavender before?

i really don't know what i'm doing i just picked it up a the store cuz it smelled nice.i need to know a little more than water it i already knew thati need like some other info on .the subject.

Has anyone ever grown lavender before?
I think this is one of those plants everyone enjoys. The plant has a long history of cultivation. Lavender is a family of some 25- 30 plants native to the Mediterranean, growing in dry, rocky habitats. These plants will not survive damp winter rains without excellent drainage or summer humidity without good air circulation and lots of sun. It can be done, after all England is famous for their lavender. It just needs warmth and shelter from harsh, wet winters. It is dampness, more than cold, that kills lavender plants. In summer humidity be sure the have lots of room for air to circulate as they can get a fungal disease and rot without air.

Considered an herb, it is a semi-woody, semi-evergreen perennial, growing in an upright mounding clump. Like many plants grown for their essential oils, a lean soil, lacking organics, will encourage a higher concentration of oils. An Higher pH and especially a chalky soil, one over a lime stone bed rock, will enhance the lavenders fragrance.



It takes about three years for Lavender to reach full size. Plants should be pruned every year immediately after bloom to keep a compact shape and encourage repeat flowering. Shear the stems after they the buds have opened unless you wish to use then for pot pouri. Then cut them after only the first couple of buds on the stem have opened. They are grey until the buds open. Once you see color they can be cut. If you wait til all the buds have opened you lose a lot of their scent and the buds will fall of the calyx more readily. The plant will bloom for about 4-5 weeks.



Cooking with lavender is common in Europe and the Mediterranean. In France it is used in Herb Provence. It is a member of the mint family and is close to rosemary, sage, and thyme. It is best used with fennel, oregano, rosemary, thyme, sage, and savory.

http://whatscookingamerica.net/Lavender....



Lavandula angustifolia, known as English or True lavender is used as as bath freshener. Lavandula translates as "to wash" so float some in the bath water or fold a sprig in with your linens.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lavandula_a...
Reply:Plant it in a location where it gets partial to full sun and moist soil. You can pick and dry the flower for later use in potpourri or soaps or oils.
Reply:Although lavender plants get regularly pruned simply by harvesting the flowers, to keep them well shaped and to encourage new growth, a bit of spring pruning is in order. The taller varieties can be cut back by approximately one-third their height. Lower growing varieties can either be pruned back by a couple of inches or cut down to new growth. If you live in an area where lavender suffers some winter die-back, don't even think about pruning your plants until you see some new green growth at the base of the plant. If you disturb the plants too soon in the season, they give up trying.



Containers

You can always grow your lavender in pots and move it to follow the sun or even bring it indoors for the winter. Keep in mind that although lavender has a large, spreading root system, it prefers growing in a tight spot. A pot that can accommodate the rootball with a couple of inches to spare would be a good choice. Too large a pot will only encourage excessive dampness.



Insure that the pot has plenty of drainage. To prevent water pooling in the pot, place about an inch of loose gravel at the bottom. Rot root is one of the few problems experienced by lavender plants. Use a loose, soilless mix for planting and remember that container grown lavender will require more water than garden grown plants. How much more depends on the environment and the type of pot. Water when the soil, not the plant, appears dry and water at the base of the plant to limit dampness on the foliage. Compact varieties make the best choices for containers. Some to try are L. angustifolia ‘Nana Alba’ and Spanish lavender
Reply:plant in well drained sandy soil, make sure if the roots are wound around from being put in pot separate the roots a little in middle on bottom. mulch with leaves or grass for winter, comes back every year wider and fuller. love it!
Reply:Advice from Alina is very comprehensive isnt it? Really, all you need is well drained soil and sunny position. and talk to the plant!!!
Reply:Growing Requirements

As with most plants, your success in growing this coveted plant will depend both on what kind of growing conditions you can provide and which varieties you select to grow. Lavender plants will tolerate many growing conditions, but it thrives in warm, well drained soil and full sun.



Read the rest of the article. I have 2 lavender plants and I cut the brown/gray dead leaves out when I see them. I also notice that the plant sucks water like its nobodys business. Get the plant use to a watering routine just like you have a routine of eating. Also as a child I did a test on what kinds of music plants respond to the best. My results were that plants grow better when they listen to Christian and Classical music.

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