With my love for lavender firmly established, it only makes sense that I would want to grow it. However I have not succeeded in such an endeavour in the past. It seems to flourish beautifully throughout the south of France – so what’s my problem? Oh, how to grow lavender in Florida?
Thankfully, the problem lies mostly with the weather and not my gardening skills. The climate of central Florida is not ideal for my beloved lavender . Perhaps I should just adore her scent along with her majestic appearance as dried bouquets.
I am for my reader’s sake going to try again. I have consulted dozens of sites and my local nursery for the secret of growing lavender. I have concluded there are two simple but crucial growing conditions needed for success.
How to grow Lavender
1. Good Drainage because it doesn’t like to be wet, damp or moist.
2. Direct Sun because it thrives best with full exposure.
As in my article on the many names of lavender notes there are dozens and dozens of varieties. The aromas, shape and hues of the leaves and flowers are the main distinctives. Ironically, after all my research regarding the different types of lavender, my local nursery only noted on its container, “lavender”. They believed it to be English or True Lavender. Mail order plants are more specific regarding variety if you want to test out a few different kinds.
So on Saturday October 10th, I planted one English Lavender plant in a pot in a slightly raised mound. I shall keep you posted on how this most divine of botanicals is doing in the least desired of climates.
It was suggested I plant it on a raised mound to help with the drainage. I also placed stones around the base to prevent dampness. It’s best to water at the base so as to not splash the leaves or they will brown. Lavender needs water but just doesn’t like to touch it or sit in it. Unlike myself I could lie in a tub all day if I had a good book!