Lavenders for all four season? Yes (though maybe not for super cold climates – but read on…)
I’ve been designing gardens for years now, and I have to say that they’re in at least 90% of my gardens, and for good reason!
Many types of lavender live very long, and they do best when they aren’t cared for (poor drainage and too much watering are the main reasons they die). ).
Deer, rabbits, and even our feared gophers don’t like them, which is the most important thing. However….
Despite their best qualities, when consulting with gardeners about lavenders, there are three things I’ve noticed:
1. Lots of people use the same kinds over and over, which is a shame because there are so many kinds out there.
2. Gardeners have become jaded with lavenders. I think this is because lavenders grow so well here that they’re quite common and (gasp!) easy to find.
3. A lot of people are unhappy with lavender plants. They love the flowers, but the plants look half-dead the rest of the year, like little mounds of few sticks.
Today I’d like to talk about seven of my favorite types of lavender that I have in my new garden and explain why I chose them.
I’d have to say that the #1 reason that I have so many varieties is that I LOVE THE SMELL OF LAVENDER!.
By planting certain types of plants in my garden in a certain way, I can be sure that they will bloom for at least nine months and smell nice all year (are you ready?)
Here’s a seasonal calendar, and the varieties I use to give me that year-round lavender love:
English lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) is one of the most popular types of lavender grown in gardens. Its petite size, delightful fragrance, and abundant blooms have made it a garden favorite for centuries. But exactly how long does English lavender bloom? Here’s what you need to know about this delightful plant’s flowering season.
English Lavender Bloom Season
The bloom time for English lavender depends on the specific cultivar, climate, and pruning practices. However, most varieties bloom in early to mid summer.
In warmer climates like USDA zones 7-9, English lavender blooms from early June through July. The blooms tend to peak in color and abundance in late June to early July. Blooming lasts around 3-4 weeks on average.
In cooler climates like zones 5 and 6, bloom time is delayed by a couple weeks beginning in mid to late June and lasting into early August. Peak bloom is often in July.
Specific bloom times also depend on cultivar. Here are bloom seasons for some popular English lavender varieties:
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Hidcote – Blooms early beginning late June. Peak bloom in early July.
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Munstead – Begins blooming in early July, peak bloom mid July.
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Thumbelina Leigh – Blooms early, like Hidcote.
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Melissa Lilac – Starts blooming late June. Peak bloom is late July.
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Jean Davis – Blooms late, beginning in mid July. Peak bloom early August.
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Twickel Purple – Begins blooming early July. Peak bloom late July/early August.
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Blue Scent Early – Extends the bloom season, starting late May.
As you can see, bloom times can vary by a couple weeks depending on the variety. To extend the bloom season in your garden, plant early, mid, and late blooming cultivars together.
Factors Affecting Bloom Time
Several factors influence English lavender’s bloom time beyond climate and variety. Here are some of the key factors:
Sun Exposure – English lavender thrives in full sun. At least 6 hours of direct sun per day results in the most prolific flowering. Too much shade will reduce blooms.
Soil Drainage – Excellent drainage is key for lavenders. Poor drainage causes root rot and stress, resulting in fewer blooms. Amend soil with sand or gravel to improve drainage.
Pruning – Pruning lavender after bloom extends the plant’s lifespan but delays flowering the following year. It’s best to prune in spring before new growth begins.
Plant Age – Young lavender plants may not bloom much in their first year as they establish roots. Mature, 3-5 year old plants produce the most blooms.
Fertilization – Avoid over-fertilizing lavender, as excess nitrogen can make plants floppy and reduce blooming.
Paying attention to these factors will help ensure your English lavenders bloom abundantly within their natural season.
Extending Bloom Time
While English lavender blooms for 3-4 weeks on average, there are a few tricks to extend flowering:
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Succession planting – Plant early, mid, and late blooming varieties together for up to 6-8 weeks of flowers.
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Deadheading – Snipping off spent blooms encourages reblooming later in summer. Always cut back to just above a leaf pair.
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Staggered pruning – Prune 1/3 of plants hard each year in rotation so not all are delayed flowering.
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Mulching – A 2-3 inch layer of mulch helps maintain cool roots, preventing premature bud drop.
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Watering – Water thoroughly if drought occurs during bloom time to prevent stress and bud drop.
With favorable conditions and proper care, you can enjoy up to 2 months of English lavender blooms!
Blooms Through the Seasons
While English lavender blooms primarily in summer, you can enjoy lavender blooms spring through fall by planting different varieties:
Spring – Spanish lavender (Lavandula stoechas) and Portuguese lavender (Lavandula latifolia) bloom first in spring.
Summer – English lavender peaks in summer along with most Lavandula x intermedia hybrids like lavandin.
Fall – Some French lavenders (Lavandula dentata) rebloom into fall. Spanish lavender may rebloom too.
Winter – TenderCanary Islands lavender (Lavandula pinnata) blooms in winter in frost-free climates.
By combining different lavender species and varieties, you can create a landscape that blooms for 9-10 months of the year!
Tips for Growing English Lavender
English lavender thrives when provided with full sun, well-drained soil, and minimal fertilizer. Here are some top care tips:
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Plant in spring in well-drained, slightly alkaline soil. Improve drainage by mixing in sand or gravel.
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Choose a site with at least 6 hours of direct sun daily. Morning sun is ideal.
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Space plants 18-24 inches apart for good air circulation. Crowding increases susceptibility to fungus.
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Prune lightly in spring by cutting back weak or dead stems. Never cut into woody growth.
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Apply slow-release fertilizer or compost in spring if needed. Too much nitrogen reduces blooms.
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Water 1 inch per week during bloom time if rain is lacking. Avoid wet feet.
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Mulch around plants to retain moisture and cool roots. Organic mulches like wood chips work best.
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Propagate in early summer by taking 3-4 inch cuttings from non-flowering shoots.
Follow these simple care guidelines and your English lavenders are sure to reward you with their spectacular blooms each summer!
Favorite English Lavender Varieties
English lavenders come in array of flower colors beyond the typical violet-blue. Here are some top varieties to grow:
Hidcote – Vivid violet-blue blooms on compact 10-12 inch plants. The most popular variety.
Munstead – Abundant lavender-blue blooms on 18 inch mounds. Heat and humidity tolerant.
Jean Davis – Deeper royal purple blooms on a dwarf 10 inch plant.
Thumbelina Leigh – Profuse soft violet flowers on tidy 6-8 inch mounds.
Melissa Lilac – Unique pale lilac-pink blooms with a milder scent.
Twickel Purple – Vibrant reddish-purple flowers on larger 24-30 inch plants.
Edelweiss – Pure snowy white blooms with tiny leaves. Looks stunning paired with blue varieties.
Sarah – Bright rose-pink blooms give a pop of color. Heat tolerant.
There are many lovely English lavender varieties beyond the old favorites, so try planting a spectrum of flower hues!
In Summary
English lavenders reward gardeners with an abundance of fragrant blooms for 3-4 weeks in early to mid summer. Bloom times vary slightly among the many cultivars. Peak flowering is in late June or early July in most climates. With proper care and succession planting, you can enjoy these delightful blooms from early summer through fall. Make room for a few English lavender varieties in your garden and enjoy their beauty through the seasons!
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Early summer – Lavandula angustifolia varieties (English lavenders)
Next up are the English lavenders, which begin blooming June through July. They’re also quite hardy, performing well even in zone 5 gardens!.
These lavenders are generally smaller in size with tight, barrel-shaped flower clusters on tiny blue-green foliage.
My very favorite English lavender variety is ‘Hidcote,’ as it has the deepest purple/blue flowers I’ve seen.
You will be amazed at how many flowers it grows after a few years of getting established.
‘Hidcote’ also withstands hot summers better than most English lavender (a bonus in my garden!)
They’re supposed to grow 18-24” but when they’re happy, it’s more like 24” – 30”.
When I hear a gardener complaining about their dull bunches of dead plants, they’re usually talking about their English lavender.
English lavenders look half-dead in the fall and winter because their leaves are so tiny.
But don’t forget – English lavenders more than make up for this once early spring hits!
When other lavender varieties haven’t yet woken up, the English lavender is smothered with delicate pollinator-attracting flowers!
English lavender called “Blue Spear” is quickly becoming a favorite. It has big, showy flowers that are bigger than Hidcote’s.
To keep my clients from going crazy during the English lavender’s off-season, I always plant something beautiful all year to take their attention away.
That includes other lavender varieties that look good in the winter (see below!)
When clients specifically ask me to use lavenders in cooking, I only use English varieties because they have the best and most fragrant oils.
Lavandula viridis (Yellow Lavender)
This is another early blooming variety, with rabbit-ear blooms similar to Spanish lavender.
It’s not easy to find, but it’s worth the trouble because it’s a beautiful, soft color to add to your garden bed. Especially if you were creating a serene chartreuse-green bed, or an all yellow bed.
If you live in Northern California, the Sacramento Historic Cemetery has some beautiful examples of this lavender.
A lot of people ask me how to prune lavenders, and I always tell them to be careful! If you cut too hard (into the thick, woody branches), you could kill the whole branch by accident.
Spanish lavenders get pretty big, so when they’re done blooming, you should cut them back by a third to a half to keep them looking neat and manageable. (see below).
Why Lavender is NOT BLOOMING? | When lavender bloom | Lavender without blooms
FAQ
How long do English lavender blooms last?
Which lavender blooms longest?
Does English lavender need to be deadheaded?
When does English lavender Bloom?
English lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) usually blooms in mid-June and will produce flowers for around 4 weeks. This is the hardiest species of lavender that can grow in colder climates that experience frost in winter (hardy in USDA zone 5-9) and lives up to 15 years with the right care.
How long do lavender flowers last?
For the best color: Use English lavender varieties that have deep purple blooms for drying. They will hold their color longer than their pink- or white-flowered counterparts. If using the dried flowers for cooking: Remove them from the stems and store in jars, out of direct sunlight, for up to a year.
How long does English lavender live?
This species of lavender can thrive in the USDA Hardiness Zones 5 to 9, and if you care for your English lavender correctly, it can live for up to 15 years. So, you are sure to have beautiful lavender blooming in your care for a rather long time.
When do hybrid lavender flowers bloom?
Hybrid lavenders bloom in the mid-summer, usually in July, and will bloom for several weeks until the Fall. Hybrid lavenders can tolerate cold temperatures and frost in winter and are often hardy in USDA zones 5-9. Read my article to learn more about caring for Lavender ‘Grosso’.
What do lavender flowers look like?
The actual flowers on lavender plants are small, densely packed, and shaped somewhat like pinecones. Regarding their namesake color, lavender blooms are typically a purple shade. Both the flowers and the leaves emit the signature fragrance, a combination of woodsy and sweet.
Does English lavender need to be in Bloom?
Most people grow English lavender for ornamental purposes and its lovely aroma, as this lavender produces its lavender fragrance all year round through its foliage. This lavender does not need to be in bloom to make your house or garden smell delightful.