Lavender has been selected as the Herb of the Year in 1999 by the International Herb Association. Lavenders are aromatic Mediterranean natives. The two most commonly produced types of lavenders are English lavenders (Lavandula angustifolia) and lavandins (L. x intermedia).
English lavenders produce seed; lavandins do not. Seed of the cultivars 'Munstead,' a popular compact variety, and 'Hidcote,' a slow-growing variety with very gray foliage and dark-purple flowers, are offered in catalogs, but the plants produced from seed don't produce uniform stands. 'Hidcote' plants grown from seed will not look the same as those produced from cuttings. The flowers will be different shades of purple rather than being deep purple and there will be slight differences in growth habit. Though seed-grown English lavenders can be used in the landscape, the plants will look uniform in height and flower color.
Lavender 'Lady,' a 1994 All-America Selections winner bred by Burpee Seed and available from PanAmerican Seed, is a seed-produced cultivar that is uniform in plant habit and will flower the first year. 'Lady' is hardy to USDA Zone 5.
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Some retailers are finding that more of their customers are asking for cultivars by name. Some of the popular cultivars of L. angustifolia include the dark-purple 'Hidcote,' 'Loddon Blue' and 'Royal Velvet'; white 'Nana Alba'; and pink 'Rosea' and 'Hidcote Pink.' Because of plant variability from seed, propagate these cultivars vegetatively to ensure they are true to type.
Lavandins are sterile hybrids of L. angustifolia and L. latifolia (spike lavender). They can only be propagated vegetatively.
The best vegetative cuttings for both English lavenders and lavandins are taken from non-flowering new growth. Cuttings should be taken in late summer, although pre-flowering stem cuttings taken in the late spring can also be successful. Cuttings can be dipped in a rooting compound and placed in flats filled with perlite. Supplemental bottom heat should be used during cooler weather to maintain a medium temperature of 65F-70F. Misting the cuttings may not be necessary, but the cuttings should be kept under at least 45-percent shade until they are rooted. Rooting occurs in four to six weeks. Botrytis can be a problem on cuttings taken late in the season.
Production time for vegetative-propagated lavenders is six to eight weeks after transplanting rooted cuttings. Use a well-drained medium with a pH of 6.5.
Crop time for 'Lady' is usually five to six months everywhere but in the South, where it's two months less. Sow seed in a well-drained medium at a germination temperature of 72F.
Germination is best with light. A slight covering with coarse vermiculite provides better germination and plant stands. Germination takes five to 10 days. The hypocotyls can stretch very rapidly under low light, so be sure to move the seedlings to Stage 2 conditions immediately after germination.
Seedlings will need an additional month of growth before they are ready for transplanting into finished containers. Transplant the seedlings into a well-drained, pH neutral medium and grow on at 60F-65F nights, 72F days. Seedlings may be transplanted slightly deeper than they have been grown in the plug trays if necessary to compensate for stretched hypocotyls. The medium should be allowed to dry out between waterings, but don't allow plants to wilt.
Plants can be finished in packs, 4-inch pots and mixed containers. Don't plant more than two seedlings per 4-inch pot. From transplant to finish takes 16-20 weeks. The first flower appears at 17 weeks.
In the landscape, lavenders grow in full sun, but will do fine in partial shade. 'Lady' should be spaced 15-18 inches apart. This cultivar reaches 12-26 inches and has a spread of 10 inches. Plants in the landscape require areas with good drainage.
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For more: International Herb Association, P.O. Box 317, Mundelein, IL 60060; (847) 949-4372; fax (847) 949-5896; http://www.herb-pros.com; e-mail ihaoffice@aol.com PanAmerican Seed Co., 622 Town Road, West Chicago, IL 60185-2698; (630) 231-1400; fax (630) 231-3609.
Specifics
Name: Lavender
Crop timing: 10-14 weeks for vegetative cuttings, 18-23 weeks from seed.
Grower benefits: Can be grown from vegetative cuttings or seed. Plants can be finished in packs, 4-inch pots and mixed containers.
Selling points: A wide variety of lavenders is available with different habits and flower colors. Plants can be used in herb gardens and landscape beds. Aromatic flowers are great for potpourri, sachets and can also can be used for culinary purposes. Oil is used in perfumes and toiletries.
Photo courtesy of Shady Acres Herb Farm