Gardening Fans: Learn How to Plant and Care for a Lavender Hedge

If you’re looking for a beautiful, fragrant and low-maintenance hedge for your garden, look no further than lavender! Lavender is an evergreen shrub that produces stunning purple flowers in summer and can be used to create a stunning, scented hedge. Here we’ll cover the best types of lavender for hedges, how to create and maintain your hedge, as well as some tips and tricks.

The Best Types of Lavender for Hedges
When selecting lavender for a hedge, it’s important to choose the right variety. The three best varieties for hedges are Lavandula angustifolia, Lavandula x intermedia and Lavandula stoechas. All three are evergreen so they will maintain their structure throughout the year.

How to Create Your Hedge
Before planting your lavender hedge, it’s important to prepare the soil and make sure that it has good drainage. Once you have prepared the soil, you can begin planting your lavender plants. Make sure space plants roughly 30cm (1ft) apart if creating a low hedge or 45cm (18in) apart if creating a larger hedge. After planting, water regularly – especially durng dry weather – in order to help your plants become established.

How to Maintain Your Hedge
Once your hedge has been established, there are several things you can do to keep it healthy and looking its best. Pruning is a great way to promote growth and keep your hedge looking neat and tidy. Prune lightly twice per year – once in early spring and once in late summer – removing any dead or damaged branches as needed. Another way to care for your lavender hedge is by mulching around the base of the plants with organic material such as compost or shredded bark chips. This will help keep weeds at bay while also helping retain moisture around the roots of the plants. Finally, fertilizing your lavender every few months is a great way to promote healthy growth and flowering throughout the season.

These are just some of the tips for creating and maintaining a beautiful lavender hedge in your garden! With proper care, you can enjoy this fragrant shrub all year long!

The Benefits of Lavender as a Hedge

Yes, lavender makes an excellent hedge. Its fragrant flowers emerge in the summer months and attract bees and other pollinators to your garden. During the winter months, the evergreen structure keeps its shape, providing a neat low edging for borders or to divide different sections of your garden. Lavender is also easy to maintain and can be pruned regularly to keep it compact and tidy.

lavender hedge
Source: bhg.com

The Best Type of Lavender for Hedges

Lavandula angustifolia, also known as English Lavender, is the best type of lavender for a hedge. This variety is known for its fragrant scent and attractive mounding form that can reach up to 3 feet in height. It blooms from mid-spring to late summer with clusters of small white, pink, or blue flowers. It is also drought-tolerant and deer-resistant. Its flowers can be dried and used in culinary dishes or crafts. Lavandula x intermedia is anoter popular option for hedges. Also known as Dutch Lavender, this variety produces large upright spikes of fragrant purple flowers in mid to late summer. It’s easy to care for and thrives in full sun and well-drained soil. Lastly, Lavandula stoechas, also known as Spanish Lavender, is great for hedges due to its upright habit and pleasant aromas. Its small grey-green leaves are covered with bright purple flower bracts in the springtime that attract bees and other pollinators. It prefers full sun exposure and well-draining soil but can tolerate some drought conditions once established.

Spacing Requirements for Planting a Lavender Hedge

When planting lavender for a hedge, it is best to space the plants 30cm (1ft) apart or 45cm (18in) for larger cultivars. This spacing allows the plants enough room to grow and develop without overcrowding, ensuring your hedge looks neat and healthy.

The Spread of Lavender

No, lavender does not spread quickly. It is a slow-growing plant and can take from one to three months to reach a transplantable size. The best way to ensure that young lavender plants are healthy and grow properly is to keep the soil moist, but with adequate air circulation to prevent fungal diseases.

Disadvantages of Lavender

The primary disadvantage of lavender is its potential to cause sleepiness and slowed breathing. This effect can be exacerbated when combined with sedative medications, so it is important to consult a healthcare provider before using lavender in combination with any type of medication. In addition, lavender may not be suitable for certain people, such as those who are pregnant or breastfeeding, so it is important to speak with a doctor before taking any form of lavender. Lastly, some people may experience an allergic reaction to lavender, so if you experience any discomfort after using it, stop use immdiately and seek medical attention.

lavender hedge
Source: rootwell.com

Does Lavender Repel Mice?

Yes, lavender can be an effective deterrent to mice. Lavender’s strong scent masks the smell of food, making it difficult for mice to find food sources. Additionally, because mice dislike the smell of lavender, they will generally avoid areas where it is present. To maximize effectiveness, fresh or dried lavender should be placed in areas where droppings and evidence of mice have been seen. This could include cupboards, pantries, closets and other enclosed spaces.

Lifespan of a Lavender Hedge

A lavender hedge typically lasts between five to fifteen years, depending on the variety of lavender chosen and how it is cared for. Tender varieties of lavender, such as Lavandula angustifolia, will typically live for five to seven years while hardy varieties, such as Lavandula x intermedia, may live up to fifteen years or more if pruned correctly. With proper maintenance and regular pruning, a healthy lavender hedge can last up to twenty years.

Avoid Planting Lavender in Unsuitable Locations

Lavender doesn’t do well when planted with perennials or annuals that prefer shade. Planting it near impatiens, hosta, camellias or fuschia is not recommended as these plants require more water than lavender and may drown out its growth. It’s best to plant lavender in areas that receive full sun and have dry soil so it can thrive.

The Spread of Lavender

No, lavender does not spread a lot. It is a small shrub that typically grows to be 20 to 24 inches tall and wide, and its height includes the flower stalks. When not in bloom, the foliage may only be about a foot tall. This means that it does not spread like other herbs such as thyme and oregano, which tend to take over large areas of land.

lavender hedge
Source: amazon.com

Winterizing Lavender Bushes

Winterizing lavender bushes is essential for keeping them healthy and vibrant in colder climates. To ensure success, follow these steps:
1. Ensure good drainage: Before winter sets in, check to make sure your soil is well drained. To do this, dig a few inches into the soil and fill the hole with water. If the water doesn’t drain away within a few minutes, you need to improve the drainage before winter arrives.
2. Prune: Consider pruning your lavender plants in fall if you live in a colder climate to encourage new growth in spring and remove any dead or diseased branches. The ideal time to prune is when flowering has finished and when new growth appears again in April/May.
3. Stop watering: Once temperatures drop below 10°C (50°F), it’s time to stop watering your lavender plants as they go dormant for winter and won’t need much moisture anyway. Rain should replace regular watering during this period of dormancy.
4. Mulch well: Add a few inches of mulch around the base of each plant before winter sets in to help insulate them from extreme cold temperatures and protect ther roots from frost damage.
5. Move potted lavenders: If your lavenders are growing in pots, move them into a sheltered spot such as an enclosed porch or greenhouse which will provide them with some extra protection against harsh weather conditions during winter months.

Creating a Lavender Hedge Garden

A lavender hedge is a beautiful addition to any garden. To complement its beauty and create a stunning landscape, there are several plants that make perfect companions for a lavender hedge. Among them are Echinacea, roses, yarrow, sedum, alliums, African daisy, zinnia and gaillardia.

Echinacea is an excellent choice for pairing with lavender because of its vibrant colors and long-lasting blooms. Its flowers also have beneficial effects on pollinators such as bees and butterflies. Roses make an attractive companion to lavender due to their sweet scent and wide range of colors. Yarrow is anothr excellent option because it has strong long-lasting stems and bright yellow or pink flowers that attract beneficial insects such as bees.

Sedum is also a great choice for pairing with lavender due to its drought resistance and colorful blooms in the late summer months. Alliums look stunning when planted near lavender as well due to their tall stems and brightly-colored flowers. African daisies provide colorful low-growing foliage that creates a beautiful contrast against the tall stems of lavender while Zinnia’s vibrant red or orange blooms add an extra pop of color to the landscape. Finally, Gaillardia adds an extra layer of texture with its daisy-like petals that look gorgeous against the purple blooms of lavender.

Overall, there are many different plants that pair well with a lavender hedge to create a stunning landscape that will be sure to impress visitors!

The Consequences of Not Pruning Lavender

If you don’t prune lavender, it will quickly outgrow its boundaries and put out a large, lanky, woody base that can become weak and brittle. This makes the plant prone to splitting open and reduces its lifespan. Without regular pruning, the plant also becomes overgrown with deadwood and foliage which can block sunlight from reaching the lower parts of the plant, leaving them vulnerable to disease. Furthermore, without pruning, the stems of lavender become woody and less productive in terms of flowering.

The Effectiveness of Lavender in Keeping Bugs Away

Yes, lavender can be an effective tool for deterring bugs from your home. The strong scent of lavender can repel moths, flies, fleas, and mosquitoes. To use it for this purpose, you can either use fresh lavender or hang dried flowers around the house or put them in with your clothing. Lavender oil can also be used as an insect repellant if you have access to it. By using this natural and fragrant herb, you can keep bugs away without having to resort to harsher chemicals.

lavender hedge
Source: irishnews.com

When To Plant Lavender

The best time to plant lavender depends on the climate in your area. In areas colder than Zone 6 (Zone 6-1), the ideal time to plant lavender is in spring or early summer, as this will allow the roots plenty of time to get established. In areas warmer than Zone 6 (Zones 7-10), it is best to wait until early fall when temperatures are cooler and rainfall is more abundant, ensuring that the roots can fully establish before the heat of summer arrives.

The Invasiveness of Lavender

Lavender is not considered an invasive species in North America. Although it is non-native to the continent, its spread has not been seen to pose any threat to indigenous species or human health and safety. It is, however, important to note that some species of lavender are considered invasive in other parts of the world. For instance, English lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) has been listed as an invasive species in New Zealand. In order to prevent this species from becomng invasive in other parts of the world, it is essential that gardeners are careful when planting and propagating lavender and that they choose native varieties wherever possible.

Conclusion

In conclusion, lavender is a great choice for creating a fragrant, flowering hedge in your garden. It’s an evergreen shrub with attractive blooms that attract bees and other pollinators, and it’s also great for providing a neat low edging to borders or areas of the garden. When planting lavender for a hedge, it’s important to know the best varieties and how to prepare the soil for growing. Be sure to space plants about 90cm (3ft) apart if growing in groups, and 30cm (1ft) apart for larger cultivars when making a hedge. Once planted, water regularly in dry weather and provide good air circulation to help reduce disease outbreaks. With proper care, your lavender hedge will reward you with beautiful blooms and delightful fragrance year aftr year.

Photo of author

Caroline Bates

Caroline is a Miami-based landscaper who specializes in drought-tolerant landscapes. She is the mother of two young children and also enjoys writing for GreenPacks.org in her spare time. Caroline takes great pride in her work, and loves being able to share her knowledge with others through her writing.