lavender

[paneer]

Are they really hard to grow? I am on my 4th & 5th plants and they look as if they are going to die. At the moment they are in a large pot in my front garden, they were in the shade by have moved them out and fed them.

The other plants were in full sun in my back garden in the ground and they died.

What am I doing wrong?

What's the soil like? If it's heavy and sticky, or your pots aren't well drained, the plants may be getting too wet. Lavender likes to be dry and hot (and sunny - think sun-baked Mediterranean hillsides) - it will cope ok with cold, but not wet as well.

It is also a short-lived plant. At Kew, they propagate and replace their entire lavender collection every three years.

Even if you keep it longer, unless you're very careful to prune it quite hard every year it gets all woody and leggy and you'll want to replace it anyway. Otherwise, follow Ubermumsy's advice - think sunny, dryish and drained.

Agree with the others. Mine are looking a bit past it now too, may have to replace them this summer, they've been in a while.

You really have to keep on top of the pruning or they go very leggy and you've had it. I trim all the flowers off after they've finished flowering then give them a light trim in early spring, this seems to keep them looking ok.

Apart from that, plenty of sun and good drainage and they should be happy.

Ah, so the first batch were in clay soil in the ground. The new lot are in well drained but very shady.

I think I am going to give up with them.

Rosemary is a lot less bother...

I have just planted a Lavendar 'Hidcote' border in my new garden. Along the side of my very twee brick studio shed I have put in a narrow-ish brick edged border.
The lavendar is going to be the main feature but behind it at either side of the window there are roses - one is a mystery as it was already there, but I have put in Rambling Rector.

I have good loamy top soil kindly put in by previous owner and I have dug in lots of grit to aid drainage for my new babies. They get south facing sun most of the day so they should be happy. I keep other lavendars in pots and giving them a haircut to keep their ball shape is very satisfying especially as it lets loose that gorgeous scent.
Don't give up they really are very easy, they thrive on neglect, sun and good drainage.

hedge not border

Was just coming on to ask advice on this as have no luck. Saw some nice plants yesterday and wondering whether to bother.

I tend to get on well with plants that thrive on neglect!

May try keeping in its pot this time

I saw Pam Ayres on TV recently saying that she preferred catmint to lavender and it looked great with a very similar effect. Lots of purply flowers and you can use it along an edge. Apparently, it is easier to grow. I haven't tried it myself yet though.
www.bbc.co.uk/gardening/plants/plant_finder/plant_pages/3307.shtml

Don't give up on lavender - it's one of the best plants there is.
Just dig a bag of horticultural grit into your soil before replanting.

You would have to do this anyway as the clay soil won't support many ornamental plants as it is.

What kind I literally just came back to suggest catmint - mine's finally coming up - brilliant plant - v similar to lavender but flowers last loads longer. Gorgeous plant.

Just grow in pots incl grit and gravel in the compost and keep in full sun.