2 weeks Ago By Angela Patrone
Lavender , with its captivating scent and vibrant purple blooms, is a favourite among many gardeners . However, while it thrives during warm summer days, severe winter weather can be challenging for this perennial herb. Ensuring your lavender plants make it through the cold months requires some knowledge and preparation.
It's also a good idea to find out about the different types of lavender to see if yours is hardy or not. English, being the most popular variety in the UK, and intermedia lavenders are very cold and hardy, while French lavender is more tender and can be easily damaged by frost. To get the most out of your lavender plants, the experts at Plant Addicts recommend mulching the plant before winter arrives in the coming days.
Winter mulch acts as a protective blanket, shielding plants from extreme cold and temperature fluctuations that can damage or kill them. It prevents the soil from freezing and thawing repeatedly, which can heave plants up from their roots. Winter mulch also helps insulate plant crowns from cold injury.
Light-coloured mulches are good because they reflect light, thus helping keep lavender plants dry. The gardening pros said: “Adding a layer of natural mulch around the root zone such as shredded leaves, straw or wood chips will be beneficial for healthier growth.” However, be sure to pull mulch away from the main stem to maintain good air circulation.
When it comes to lavender mulching, the goal is to keep the foliage and the crown as dry as possible. This means using about an inch of mulch that won't trap moisture around the roots. Be sure to remove the mulch from your lavender plants as soon as the danger of extreme cold has passed.
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