5 hours Ago By Isobel Pankhurst
English lavender is a popular choice for gardeners up and down the country . This hardy perennial shrub looks and smells amazing, is particularly attractive to bees and other pollinators, and has the added bonus of slug resistance . Lavender is also a relatively low-maintenance plant, as long as it's placed in well-draining soil and has access to direct sunlight — more sunlight means the fragrance from the foliage and the flowers will be much stronger.
The lavender plant is also quite resistant to drought, meaning it will have a good chance of surviving even the driest of seasons. Sharing tips on planting this hardy shrub, James Ewens, gardening expert at Green Feathers , said: "Lavender can be planted in pots with drainage holes, planted in garden borders (but spaced out to maximise air circulation and sun exposure), or on raised beds to improve drainage for optimal conditions for growth." He adds that the best time to start lavender seeds comes at the end of winter, suggesting January and March as the perfect months for giving them a "head start" before spring kicks in.
When starting off, plant the seeds indoors to prepare them for the outside. James advised: "You can even pop the seeds in the fridge for a few weeks to help them germinate better!" You can also skip the indoor phase and sow directly outdoors in April or May, although James acknowledges that this can be somewhat hit-and-miss with the unpredictable British weather. For ideal conditions, James said: "When you're ready to sow, use free-draining compost and just press the seeds onto the surface; lavender seeds need light to sprout, so it’s important not to bury them too deep into the soil.
"Aim for somewhere with plenty of sun exposure, preferably with warmth around 18-21 degrees Celsius, and prepare to be patient, as they can take a few weeks to show." James recommends the 8-8-8 method for caring for lavender plants, which he calls "foolproof." He explained: "The 8-8-8 rule is a super simple way to remember how to space and prune your lavender.
"It goes like this: plant the lavender 8 inches apart, trim to 8 inches tall, and do this around 8 weeks before the first frost, or remember this as the 8th month, August. "That way, your plants stay nice and full, and they have enough time to recover before winter hits. Easy to remember, and your lavender will love you for it!" Similarly, Jamie Shipley, gardening expert and Managing Director of Hedges Direct , has also shared some tips for caring for your lavender plants, adding that they can last for 20 years if cared for properly.
He says: "Around August to early September - after flowering has finished - cut back the stems and foliage to around a third of the growth. This might seem extreme but Lavender is hardy so it can handle a hard pruning. "This allows light into the plant so new shoots can form just before the plant goes into dormancy, ready to then develop in full the following year for a dense and healthy shrub.
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