Frequently Asked Questions
Unfortunately this is a peculiarity of lavenders. The best thing to do is to cut out the die-back & reshape the bush.
You have not pruned the bush severely enough. You must cut your lavender plant back by 2 thirds each year after the flowers are past their best. Use hedge shears or a whipper-snipper for large areas of lavender plants.
After flowering. Cut back by 2 thirds leaving only a small amount of foliage. DO NOT cut back to the dry wood.
Early Summer to late Summer depending on the variety. The best time to visit the farm is from early November when the lavender begins to bloom. We do have some Winter flowering lavenders on display.
One of the intermedia varieties is best for craft work & the wardrobe as they are stronger in camphoraceous fragrance.
The angustifolia lavenders are the only types which can be used in cooking. They have a darker flower, are sweeter in fragrance & have a low camphoraceous content.
The best lavender for fragrance in drawers & cupboards is the intermedia lavender which has a high camphoraceous content.
One of the Dentata lavenders is best for a hedge. They flower most of the year but like all lavenders they must be cut back after the flowers brown off.
Sunny position, well drained soil, not much water. They grow better in the ground.
Usually 15 years but they can be replaced more frequently when they have become too woody. Plants look better for longer if cut back hard each year.
No. Lavender is a drought tolerant plant. Do not water unless it is in a pot & then only keep the pot moist not wet.
Once a year is adequate for fertilising lavender. You only need a small amount of complete fertiliser or dynamic lifter. A little lime every 2 years is also good for lavenders. Fertilise at the end of Winter so as the rains can wash the nutrient in to the soil ready for the Spring growth.
Yes but it does do better in the ground. The Stoechas lavenders are quite attractive in a pot. They have rabbit’s ears on the top of the flower & there are many varieties.
These books are excellent references and some are out of print – if you can’t find them via the links or around the web, try second hand book stores or your local and state libraries.
- The Genus Lavandula by Tim Upson & Susyn Andrews: published by The Royal Botanical Gardens, Kew, London – May be available on Amazon AU,
- Amazon US or Amazon UK
- The Essential Lavender by Virginia McNaughton: published by Bloomings Books – Available on Amazon US or Amazon UK
- The Lavender Grower’s Guide by Virginia McNaughton : published by Bloomings Books – Available on Amazon AU, Amazon US or Amazon UK
- The Lavender Garden by Robert Kourik: published by Chronicle Books – Available on Amazon AU, Amazon US or Amazon UK
There are many smaller publications on uses of lavender in cooking, craft-work ideas and design in the garden.
If you have a question which is not listed here please email us & we will attempt to answer your query.
If your question needs more in depth information we are happy to make an appointment time with you for further discussion. There is a small fee for consultations.
