Lavender Guide

We’ve been growing lavender my whole life so I know a thing or two about this lovely flower! Few plants are as beloved as lavender. With its fragrant blooms, silvery foliage, and ability to attract bees and butterflies, lavender is one of the hardest-working plants in the garden. Whether you want fresh bouquets, dried bundles, culinary herbs, or pollinator-friendly landscaping, lavender is a beautiful and rewarding addition.

Choosing the Right Lavender

Not all lavender is the same. Different varieties have different bloom times, scents, and cold tolerance. We’ve grown a lot over the years so let’s get into some details. There’s five different categories that lavender falls into:

1. French Lavender

Best for: Long flower stems, essential oils, and large landscapes.

• Provence – Sweet fragrance with long stems, perfect for bouquets

• Grosso – The classic lavender used for drying and lavender wands.

• Phenomenal – One of the most heat- and humidity-tolerant lavenders available.

Right now we only grow the Provence but we have grown all three of these varieties. Grosso in my opinion looks more spindly. And phenomenal is a patented variety (costs us money) and I saw no difference in performance over Provence. Provence has just always been our preferred and reliable French variety with excellent cold hardiness!

2. English Lavender

Best for: Fragrance, drying, culinary use, and cold climates. Shorter growth.

• Hidcote – Deep purple flowers and compact growth.

• Munstead – Early blooming and one of the easiest varieties for beginners.

Right now we don’t currently grow the English but we have grown both of these they’re just smaller and less showy (less popular)But it is the preferred culinary variety although you can use the French in culinary just fine! We’ll likely have munstead again next year.

3. Fernleaf Lavender

Best for: Ornamental gardens, containers, long bloom season, and warm climates.

Fernleaf lavender stands out from other lavenders with its finely divided, fern-like foliage that adds texture to the garden even when the plant isn’t blooming. It produces fragrant purple flower spikes over a long season and is especially attractive to bees and butterflies. Not cold hardy!

4. Spanish Lavender

Best for: Warm climates and ornamental gardens.

Recognizable by its butterfly-like flower bracts, Spanish lavender blooms early and often but is less cold hardy then the French and English varieties.

We don’t grow the spanish varieties mostly because they are strictly ornamental. And they’re very common in mass production and easy to find big box stores. So not worth our attention!

5. Hybrid & Specialty Lavender

Best for: Ornamental landscapes, long bloom seasons, containers, and unique garden interest.

Not every lavender fits neatly into the traditional English, French, Spanish, or Fernleaf groups. Hybrid and specialty lavenders have been selected for exceptional foliage, extended blooming, unique growth habits, or improved performance in different climates.

One of the most popular is Goodwin Creek Lavender, prized for its striking silver-gray, finely toothed foliage and abundant dark violet flower spikes. It blooms over a long season, is highly fragrant, and attracts bees, butterflies, and other pollinators. It’s moderately hardy in our area, some protection is encouraged!

How to Grow Lavender

Lavender thrives when conditions mimic its Mediterranean homeland.

Sun

Plant in full sun with at least 6–8 hours of direct sunlight each day.

Soil

Excellent drainage is essential. Lavender dislikes wet feet and will often die from overly moist soil rather than cold temperatures.

If you have heavy clay soil:

• Mix in coarse sand or gravel.

• Plant on raised beds or mounds.

• Avoid areas where water stands after rain.

Water

Water regularly during the first growing season while plants establish roots.

Once established:

• Water deeply but infrequently.

• Allow the soil to dry between waterings.

Fertilizer

Lavender prefers lean soil.

Too much fertilizer produces lush green growth with fewer flowers and weaker fragrance.

When to Plant

Spring is the best time to plant after the danger of frost has passed. But you can plant any time up to 6-8 weeks before the first frost to give the plant time to establish its roots before the winter season.

Pruning Lavender

Pruning is one of the biggest secrets to healthy lavender.

• Prune after the first major bloom.

• Remove spent flower stems.

• Shape the plant into a rounded mound.

• Never cut into old woody stems that have no leaves.

Regular pruning helps prevent plants from becoming woody and falling apart.

Harvesting Lavender

Harvest when about one-third to one-half of the flowers on each stem have opened. This stage provides the strongest fragrance and best color for drying.

Cut long stems in the morning after the dew has dried but before the afternoon heat.

Gather stems into small bundles and hang upside down in a cool, dark, well-ventilated room until completely dry. Or enjoy fresh in a small vase of water!

What Can You Do With Lavender?

Dried lavender is perfect for:

• Lavender wands

• Wreaths

• Sachets

• Potpourri

• Shower bundles

• Bath salts

• Homemade candles

• Floral crafts

Culinary lavender can also flavor:

• Lemonade

• Cookies

• Shortbread

• Honey

• Tea

• Syrups

But be mindful not to use lavender that has been sprayed with anything not safe for eating!

Common Lavender Problems

Root Rot

Usually caused by poor drainage or overwatering.

Plants Becoming Woody

Occurs when plants aren’t pruned each year.

Few Flowers

Usually caused by:

• Too much shade

• Excess fertilizer

• Overwatering

Winter Damage

Wet winter soil is often more damaging than cold temperatures.

Here are some frequently asked questions I get asked all the time:

• Does lavender come back every year?

Yes! Lavender is a perennial and can live for many years when planted in well-drained soil. Especially the French and English varieties

• Can lavender grow in pots?

Absolutely. Use a container with drainage holes and a well-draining potting mix.

• Do deer eat lavender?

Rarely. The strong fragrance usually makes lavender deer resistant.

• Does lavender bloom all season?

Typically French and English have one large flush of flowers in June but you may get a small reflush later on from the English. Spanish and Fernleaf are reliably blooming all season with regular deadheading spent blooms. Goodwin creek is kind of in between both and doesn’t have a large flush but will have a few frequent small flushes throughout the summer.

• Can you grow lavender inside?

Lavender can be grown indoors, but it is one of the more difficult herbs to keep happy inside long-term.