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How to prepare lavender for winter: an expert guide

Harry November 2, 2024

A lavender-scented breeze is synonymous with tranquility, so it’s no wonder these aromatic flowers are such a popular choice among gardeners across the UK. However, many do not realize that if lavender wants to bloom at its best, it needs to learn how to survive the winter.

From where? Considering how many lavender plants we see across the country, it’s easy to forget that many of these richly perfumed flowers are actually lavender plants. mediterranean garden staples – this means they are accustomed to warmer, sunnier climates. Therefore, winterization, also known as winterization, is an important issue. lavender plant care.

So should we add these to the list? Tender plants you should bring indoors this fall? This may work for potted plants, true, but it won’t work if you have it dug into your loved one’s borders. summer garden.

So what to do? Of course, follow the advice of gardening professionals.

How to winter lavender

“Overwintering lavender in the UK is generally straightforward, especially for the hardier English lavender varieties lavandula angustifolia” says co-director Christopher O’Donoghue. Gardens Revitalized.

Whether you have solid English or softer French/Spanish attractive plantsSo here’s how you can keep it healthy throughout the winter.

Christopher O’Donoghue

A gardener with almost two decades of experience, Christopher founded Gardens Revived with his brother Andrew in 2018 to build a successful family business. Together they have worked on residential gardens, listed buildings and gardens, flower displays and large estates, some exceeding 70 acres, many of historical significance.

1. Improve drainage

Anyone who has taken the time lavender plant care They will know that they prefer free-draining soil, and this is especially true during the winter months.

“Lavender doesn’t like sitting in wet soil, so it’s important to ensure the soil is well-drained to prevent root rot,” says Christopher.

If your soil is heavy, he recommends considering amending it with gravel or sand, or planting lavender on a light mound to improve drainage. Also remember that compost or well-rotted manure can improve soil structure and drainage.

2. Basic pruning

Close-up photo of a lavender plant in the garden to support a guide to plants to prune in September

(Image credit: Getty Images | Jacky Parker Photography)

One of the best ways to store them fragrant garden plants Happiness is making sure you prune them at the right time of year.

“Slightly pruning lavender After flowering in late summer or early autumn to maintain a compact shape. Avoid heavy pruning just before winter, as this can stress the plant,” says Christopher.

3. Protect with mulch

Mulching is one of the gardening terms we hear a lot, but it’s vital when it comes to learning how to winterize lavender like a pro.

“Apply a layer of mulch (such as gravel or coarse sand) around the base of the plant to help insulate the roots, but leave a space around the trunk to prevent rot,” says Christopher.

you can Use wine corks in your garden You can otherwise purchase many organic alternatives to make homemade mulch.

4. Change your watering schedule

Lavender flowers are blooming

(Image credit: Getty Images)

As we mentioned before, lavender does not like sitting on swampy ground. If you want to overwinter lavender like a pro, then make sure you alternate your overwintering. irrigation schedule with the seasons.

“Lavender is drought-tolerant and doesn’t need much water in winter. Avoid watering unless it’s extremely dry, as damp soil can lead to root rot,” says Christopher.

5. Consider gardening fleece

Finally, if you want to winterize a softer lavender (like the French or Spanish variety), Christopher recommends investing in a good old-fashioned gardening fleece.

“Covering them with something like Amazon’s Garden Fleece Freeze Protection for Outdoor Plants “It will help them survive extreme cold,” he says.

FAQ

Should lavender be cut back for the winter?

Lavender can be a forgiving plant, but it should not be cut back for the winter if it can be avoided, as this leaves the plant vulnerable to frost damage.

Instead, prune your hardy English lavender varieties in August or September, and gently prune your tender French and Spanish varieties throughout the growing season, being careful not to cut them back after mid-September.

How to winter lavender?

There are many ways to prepare lavenders for winter, including mulching them well, amending the soil to improve drainage, and carefully wrapping them in horticultural fleece. Royal Horticultural Society (RHS)but he reminds us that “plants in containers are always more sensitive to cold because their roots are less insulated than in the soil.”

If you have potted lavenders, be sure to move them to a sheltered spot, such as in front of a south-facing wall, for additional protection from cold and wind.

Alternatively, you can put them in a cold frame or greenhouse to keep them out of heavy winter rains.

With these tips on how to prepare lavender for winter, your favorite fragrant flowers should overwinter successfully and be ready to bloom again in spring.

We really can’t wait to see their perfumes hanging in the air once again…