Lavender hedge advice please

[expatmigrant]

I planted a lavender stoechas last year to make a small hedge by the side of my house. It took a while to get growing but was doing quite well until the recent snow. They're all black and dead now.
I decided on lavender because it has quite a contemporary look when planted as a hedge.
Any advice on a more hardy lavender or another flowing plant that I can use as a short hedge?

For hardy lavender up to -15C, you need Lavandula angustifolia (short) or Lavandula x intermedia (tall). These are English lavenders.

The stoechas variety is French lavender, with the pretty tufts, but is only tolerant of -5°C and below for a few successive days.

Here's an article on substitutes for lavender if you'd like to investigate a different plant: www.telegraph.co.uk/gardening/gardenprojects/3312051/Life-and-soul-of-a-garden-parterre.html

Could you also consider Flower Carpet? It seems they require little care; they are thorny though and not so fragrant:
www.davidaustinroses.co.uk/white-flower-carpet

Thank you snowdr0p. I knew I was cutting it fine with the other variety but thought being in the south east I could get away with it.
Still keen to replace with lavender so will try the hardier variety.
Really like the rose hedge too and will consider it for planting in back garden.

I found this website recently, haven't ordered from them but it's nice to see all the different varieties and most are hardy

www.lavenderworld.co.uk/collections/lavender-plants?page=1

I have Lavandula angustifolia blue cushion ('Schola'), still very small but I'm hoping it will be nice and compact

Thanks for the link.
I've never ordered plants on line but might give it a go

Have a look at Norfolk Lavender too, they sell umpteen varieties, including some specifically for hedging.

I bought a couple of plants from their garden centre once, when we visited Norfolk, and they have done really well. Got some little self-sown seedlings from them too.

Yes it's alarming how much Lavender stoechas is sold without a hardiness warning. I see it time and time again, really sad because I think without the proper info, people can be put off gardening.

Use the English varieties you've been advised and you'll be fine.

Lavender has a narrow pruning window in the autumn, but that's the best time to do it if you want to keep your plants in good shape without legginess.

Cut them in the first week of September, no later. Take off all of the flower spikes (save for flower arranging and lavender bags) and cut the leaves of the plant back by a few inches to form a regular ball shape.

Pruning like this ensures that the new growth can get a start and will have a chance to harden off before the frosts arrive. If you miss this window then don't be tempted to do it any later - the flower spikes can be cut off but don't do the second stage of the pruning. You'll have to leave that til April.

It might seem a palaver but it's a great way to ensure that your lavender stays in great shape and doesn't start leaning over with bare straggly legs.

I am really grateful for all the advice.
You're right about the stoechas Jenesuispas.
Just out of interest checked out my local garden centre and also a DIY shop yesterday and they were literally only selling stoeachas. We're just outside London and they are obviously not hardy enough.
I think I will order Lavender Hidcote Giant. The RHS shop does 6 plants for £14.99.
I'm looking for a tall growing variety for hedging.

Look on eBay for plants OP.
You'll get some great bargains there if you know the plants you are looking for.

Be sure to check the size of the plants they are sending out because sometimes they will be small plug plants.

This is fine if you have the time and space to grow them on, depends on your plans.

Lidl do good size augustifllora at certain times of the year. I bought 20 last year for less than four from the garden centre and much bigger than the online ones. Obviously being lidl, you have to watch and wait for the offers but I'd defo recommend.