How "sturdy" is lavendar?

[5inthebed]

Ok, so I am not green fingered in the slightest, I even kill artificial christmas trees.

There are two small patches of dirt outside my back door, and I would like something to be planted there. Would lavendar be any good to be planted and left there? Has part sun part shade though the day and prime rain spot.

Is lavendar easy enough to grow?

[5inthebed]

I like the idea of Lavendar, and the local garden centre has huge bushes for £15 for 3.

[AurraSing]

Most of mine (I have lots) survived the last few winters. I don't think they like sitting in water though, so give them lots of drainage.

[MadameLupino]

I'd say all of it smells nice! Most of mine made it through the last few snows too, I lost one but it was a cutting grown on so weaker. It'll do fine on poor soil but it does like to be well drained.

By the door is a good place as you can brush past/fiddle with it when you go in and out and that'll release the fragrance.

[5inthebed]

Fab, thanks! Wil go buy some tomorrow.

[frostyfingers]

French lavender is not that frost hardy - beware! It's called Lavender Stoechas I think, but if you look for the English ones like Hidcote & Munstead you should be safe.

I lost 3 French lavenders last winter, ok it was -18C, but they were covered in fleece. Bear in mind that they are more vulnerable if they're in a pot - lots of wrapping, but they'll need air otherwise condensation will rot them.

[CogitoErgoSometimes]

I have one by my front door. No idea what variety it was but it's HUGE. About 3' tall and the same across. Smells lovely and is full of bumble bees. As it gets treated with utter neglect and contempt I'd say yes, it's pretty sturdy. :)

[WhoKnowsWhereTheTimeGoes]

I have several Hidcote English Lavenders which smell lovely and have the greyish stem / purple flowers combination. They look lovely and seem to be pretty robust, have survived several years in my garden so far (Hampshire) on chalky, well drained soil, some are in full sun most of the time, some in partial shade. The ones in partial shade flower about a month later than the sunny ones, they are to starting to fade now, the sunny ones faded about a month ago

Lavender info