If you have never planted a lavender before, it may seem a little intimidating at first. After all, lavender is a plant that looks pretty but does not smell very nice. Most people do not enjoy the scent that lavender gives off, and they tend to stay away from it. Planting lavender in containers can make this difficult experience a little easier. With a little bit of effort, it is possible to grow a lavender garden easily in a number of different containers.
When considering planting lavender in containers, you must consider planting periods. If you live in an area that has a long cold winters, or where the winters are harsh and short, you will want to plant your lavender during the spring and summer months. This will give the plant the best chance to grow healthy and strong. During the fall and winter months, you can still plant lavender in containers, but it will take a little longer for the plant to produce new shoots. It will also be more difficult to keep the plants growing and blooming.
You must also think about pruning. Many lavender plants only need minimal pruning during the growing season. At the base of the plants, cut back the main stem and let the lower branches continue to grow upwards. This will allow your plants to receive lots of sunlight without the risk of drying out the foliage. In the winter months, don’t prune any of your plants.
Good drainage is another key to successful growing. If your pots sit right on the soil, you should have no problem with good drainage. However, if the pots sit on gravel, it will be more important to ensure good drainage before you even place your perennial herbs in the containers.
A Mediterranean garden can have a wide range of perennial herbs. However, it’s important that you remember the “rules” of an herb. First, they all like well-drained soil. Second, they all like a warm climate. And third, if you choose plants with a low mature size, it will be easier to harvest them from the garden in the winter months.
So, what are the best growing conditions for Mediterranean herbs? Growing them in full sun is a great way to maximize their growth potential. In addition, be sure to provide them with plenty of drainage. They do well growing in sunny environments, but they don’t do so well if their soil gets too wet or too dry. In addition to full sunlight, they do well planted in medium to full shade as well. If you are growing a whole collection, be sure to check them regularly to see if they are growing properly.
Another thing to keep in mind when growing lavender varieties is that the taller flowers tend to have the highest growth. While this may sound appealing to the gardener, the blooms also take up the most space. Be sure to plan on using these flowers for fragrant blooms throughout the season. A good rule of thumb is to plant them about two to three inches deeper than their base in order to maximize their blooming space.
Finally, lavender is a perennial herb that will go through a dormant period each year. When spring comes, you want to be ready to get started growing your annual herbs. To encourage growth during this time, dig holes in your garden and fill them with compost or buy some well rotted garden leaves. Keep the pots in these holes moist but not damp. After the perennials have had their growing season, transplant them into their containers and cover the bottom of the pots with a little extra sand or mulch.