Lavender angustifolia planting and care in the open field in the suburbs

The topic of our article ("Lavender: Planting and Care in the Moscow Region") is of interest not only to those who are just starting to communicate with the world of flowers. Even experienced gardeners need information in order to behave correctly in the process of communicating with a particular plant. Before planting lavender, you must carefully study all the features of this procedure, as well as the basic requirements for caring for a flower. As a result, the whole process will be completed successfully, and you will receive a reward in the form of a beautiful flower bed to the envy of everyone around you.

general description

As for such a species as narrow-leaved lavender, planting and caring for this flower in the Moscow region does not differ from these processes in other regions of Russia. The principle of operation is the same. But first, let's dwell on the general characteristics of the plant. Lavender has won a solid place both in the field of landscape design and in the light industry in the manufacture of perfumery water, fresheners, gel, etc. The plant came to us from the Mediterranean and has about 30 varieties. Plants such as mint, rosemary, thyme are its direct relatives. A delicate pleasant aroma will not leave anyone indifferent, and purple flowers delight the eye of everyone who sees them. The plant itself has a narrow trunk with narrow greenish-gray leaves. The buds are collected in an inflorescence that blooms from June to August. Interestingly, even when dry, flowers retain the ability to aromatize, and they are highly prized for this ability.

Different types

Whether lavender grows in the Moscow region or in another region, it needs proper care everywhere. Convenient is the fact that all plant varieties require the same set of measures. Despite the large number of species, only a few varieties of lavender are found in our gardens:

• English Lavender. A bush with narrow leaves, which grows up to a meter in diameter, tolerates winter well, has an unpretentious character, and blooms in mid-summer.
• "French lavender". In this species, the leaves have a bright shade and a wide shape. The buds are also several shades lighter than other species, and the smell is particularly harsh.
• Dutch Lavender. This plant is very similar to the previous two, but can reach two meters in height.
• Jagged lavender. Silver leaves and purple-tinged buds distinguish it from its congeners, moreover, it mainly grows indoors, and does not take root very well outdoors.

Lavender: planting and care outdoors

Many of us have heard the song about this mountain flower. He loves mountains, which means that he absolutely does not tolerate high humidity. The peculiarity of its roots gives the flower the ability to absorb moisture deeply from the soil. When choosing a place to plant your lavender, consider this point, as well as the fact that it prefers loose soil and a lot of sun. The shade will work too, but you won't be able to see the full bloom of the plant.If it so happens that your garden is very wet and the plot is in a low place, make a small hill and plant a flower there. As for the quality of the soil, then avoid planting lavender in an area with high acidity, and if there is no other way out, then take care of neutralizing the soil with a lime solution.

Before planting the plant, you need to add compost to the soil to loosen the soil and add fertility. It is recommended to plant the flower near the borders, where they will look very good. Plant the bushes so that the distance between them is the same as the height of an adult plant. In this case, such a flower bed looks well-groomed, and it will be easier for you to look after each of them.

Reproduction

Information on how lavender is grown (planting and care in the Moscow region), a photo and a description of the plant are needed in order to ensure proper care for it. Reproduction is one of the important points. The fact is that the plant does not like transplants, and if you had to resort to such a process, then you need to do it together with a huge lump of soil. This is done only if it is imperative to transfer the bush. If you just want to propagate a plant, then there are several options:

1. Division of the bush. In the presence of an adult plant, it is necessary to pour the mother bush in the spring to separate the layers. Then, with the arrival of autumn, they can be completely separated and planted in other places.
2. Application of cuttings. Also, in the spring, you need to cut off cuttings about ten centimeters long and place them in the ground under the film, creating the effect of a greenhouse. Regularly watering and airing, we wait until autumn, when the cuttings can already be planted in the chosen place in the flower bed.
3. Using layering. As spring arrives, fold down the lavender shoot and sprinkle it with earth in one spot. When autumn comes, roots will already grow in this place, and it can be separated and transplanted to a permanent place.
4. Sowing seeds. This method can only be used by an experienced gardener. A couple of months before the intended planting, the seeds are placed in a container with sand, which is constantly moistened, and placed in a cool place. The temperature of the content should be from two degrees Celsius to four degrees below zero. In early spring, seeds are sown in open ground. After planting, the ground is well trampled and watered abundantly. But this method is only suitable for a mild climate, like in the Moscow region. But in regions with a more severe climate, this breeding option is doomed to failure, and the seeds, most likely, will not sprout.

Watering mode

Do not forget about the peculiarities of watering that lavender requires. Planting and caring for this plant in the garden does not require significant effort, but you need to know what this miracle of flora wants from you. Watering lavender is necessary only when the ground under the bush is completely dry. She prefers dry soil rather than waterlogging. If you notice that the leaves of the plant have begun to turn yellow, this means that you water it too often, and the root system has begun to rot. A very important care factor is soil loosening. Lavender needs air, so every time after watering or rain, you need to fluff the soil so that oxygen can freely get to the roots. To facilitate the work, you can apply mulching with peat or humus.

Fertilizer application

It is impossible not to mention the use of fertilizers when discussing the topic "Lavender: Planting and Care". A photo of a plant during the flowering period suggests that such a luxurious look requires additional help in the form of feeding. Of course, lavender can do without additional support, taking what is available from the ground, but if you want to see the flower in all its glory, do not be too lazy to apply fertilizer with nitrogen in early spring. This will give the flower the strength to grow a lot of greenery. Further fertilizers are applied only during the flowering period.

Bush formation

This procedure is optional.Even if you do not completely take part in the formation of the bush, it will still grow and bloom. If you want to have bigger and fluffier bushes, you will need to resort to cutting. To do this, first wait for the flowering period to end and all the flowers to dry out. Before the cold period sets in, you need to cut each twig a couple of centimeters. Do not prune any more, or the entire bush may die over the winter.

Possible problems

There are also difficulties in growing a flower like lavender. Planting and care in the Moscow region, gardeners' reviews about these processes - everything suggests that the flower takes root well in this region and does not create any particular difficulties in care. It tolerates cold well and rarely falls prey to disease or pest attacks. But still, there are times when the plant begins to suffer from some kind of ailment. In the case of incorrect watering, rot attacks the lavender. The worst thing is that it cannot be cured, but you only need to destroy the flower, and quickly, until it infects nearby growing plants. All rotten bushes should be burned away from the flower bed. Also, lavender can attract insects such as the rainbow beetle. But it is rare and in small quantities, so it is easily assembled by hand.

How lavender prepares for winter

Planting and caring for this plant in the Moscow region includes preparation for the winter period. We have already said that the flower is frost-resistant. It can withstand temperatures up to twenty-five degrees below zero, and this quality is very valuable for such beauty. But we do not recommend taking risks, and recommends covering the bushes for the winter. The branches of coniferous trees are ideal shelter. They allow air to pass through well and do not allow snow to fall asleep in the bushes. For this purpose, foliage that has fallen from trees or grapes is not suitable, since under them the flower will rot and, most likely, die. If you live in a region with mild winters, then you do not need to cover the bushes.

Harmony of plants

Sometimes people wonder what lavender is combined with. Planting and caring for this flower in the Moscow region often entails the need to plant another flower. This is done mainly for landscape design. Planting a plant along a curb, path, or hedge can be combined with flowers such as rose, hydrangea, or sage. Given the color scheme of lavender, it is recommended to use orange or red rosebuds, and in the company with hydrangea, the flower will look perfect on an alpine slide. Lavender looks very beneficial in a flower pot. If you plant just one lavender in a large area, then you can enjoy the view only of its beautiful purple bushes. It is with such a purple carpet with a wonderful aroma that you can surprise your guests, and they will be able to see in all their glory how lavender can bloom. Planting and caring for this flower in the Moscow region is not too difficult.

Areas of application of the plant

As already mentioned, the flower has an incredible scent, which makes it attractive in this particular area. Firstly, it is used to add to tea, drinks, spices for meat and vegetable dishes. Secondly, an excellent essential oil is made from lavender, and it is used both in cosmetology and in medicine. From a medical point of view, the flower has a calming effect, eliminates insomnia, relieves fatigue. For cosmetics, there is no limit to the use of this fragrance. We observe its presence in soaps, gels, perfumes, eau de toilette, fresheners and much more. This smell has won the hearts of both the female and male half of the world's population.

Lavender is a bright and fragrant plant that is grown not only by specialists in the field of landscape design, but also by ordinary gardeners. Fluffy shrubs will be a great decoration for alpine slides, flower beds or rockeries.This is a thermophilic plant, its planting and cultivation characteristics in different climatic zones are significantly different. Care for lavender should be regular. The main thing is to choose the right variety that is suitable for planting in the Moscow region or the Leningrad region. In the Urals, the features of reproduction and differences in cultivation are associated with the climatic conditions in this territory.

Types and popular varieties of lavender

Lavender can be grown outdoors or as an indoor pot plant. There are about 45 varieties. Shrubs are not only purple, you can find white, pink, blue, as well as lilac and blue shades.

Attention! For each type of climatic conditions, a certain variety of lavender is suitable, so it is important to know the growing conditions for each of them.

There are four common types of this shrub:

1. Narrow-leaved lavender. In gardening, it is also called spike-shaped, real or English. Its leaves are long, narrow, but dense. The inflorescences are spike-shaped, they are white, as well as lilac, purple and blue shades. Such lavender is winter-hardy, therefore it is suitable for growing in the middle lane. The following main varieties are distinguished: Hidcote, Rosea, Sentiva Blue, Munsted, Alba and others.

   Lavender field

2. Broad-leaved lavender. It is also known as French. This species is demanding on the climate and soil. Most often it is grown at home. The plant blooms in late spring. Inflorescences are burgundy, purple, lilac, pink and white. Has a strong, pronounced odor. Popular varieties: Helmsdale, Rocky Road, Willow Vale, Tiara and others.
3. Lavender toothed. This species is thermophilic, the minimum temperature that it can withstand is up to -10 degrees. The plant blooms in July with large inflorescences of lilac, pink or dark purple shades. The most popular varieties are Regal Splendor, Pedundulata, Royal Crown.
4. Hybrid lavender. It is sometimes called Dutch. It grows up to 2 meters in height, blooms in July. The leaves are silvery in color, the flowers are lilac, white and purple. Plants belonging to this species are completely frost resistant. Such varieties are widespread: Arabian Night, Richard Gray, Sawyers, Grosso and others.

How to grow lavender in the Moscow region

In Moscow and the Moscow region, mainly narrow-leaved lavender (English) is grown. In the season, shrubs adorn flower beds, alpine slides and flower beds. Also, the dried plant can be added to tea, used as an insect repellent, used for aromatherapy, etc. It is better to grow lavender in the Moscow region from seeds, as they are more resistant than seedlings.

The procedure should take place at a temperature of +5 degrees, the duration is 40 days. The seeds are pre-soaked, they can also be mixed with wet sand. After that, they are placed in the refrigerator.

Narrow-leaved lavender

It is recommended to do the stratification in January. Late February (early March) is the time when seeds need to be sown in pots or containers. At this time, the temperature should be about 15 degrees and a well-lit place is chosen.

In the Moscow region, seedlings are planted in early June in the ground. The soil should be either alkaline or neutral with good drainage. The plant develops poorly on clayey terrain. Lavender will bloom only next year. If the plant has taken root normally, you can try to propagate it by cuttings.

Every fall, the plant must be pruned to the lignified part. Thus, lavender will be better preserved in the conditions of Moscow frosts. To cover the plant for the winter or not is a moot point. Some gardeners recommend falling asleep with leaves or peat before freezing, others believe that in such a climatic zone lavender can suffer from damping. It is allowed to cover shrubs with spruce branches.

How to grow lavender in the Leningrad region

Only narrow-leaved lavender has frost resistance, therefore this species is best suited for planting in open ground in the Leningrad region. You can plant other varieties, but it is better to do this not in flower beds, but in pots. Thus, gardeners can create any composition they come up with. But at the same time, the plant will not winter in the open field.

It is categorically impossible to sow narrow-leaved lavender before winter, as the planting material in this area may freeze. In most of the Leningrad Region, the soil for growing shrubs will have to be artificially improved. In the lowlands, there is an increased soil moisture, which is completely unsuitable for lavender. In such places, you can artificially dry the soil or plant shrubs on a hill. The soil practically throughout the entire region is poor in humus and is characterized by high acidity.

For colder regions, choose special lavender varieties

Features of growing lavender in the Urals

In the Urals, the harsh continental climate will be suitable only for narrow-leaved lavender. Natural conditions on the territory of this region differ significantly. Given the mild climate in the southern part of the Urals, it will be easier to grow lavender here. In the northern part, the plant will need a period to adapt. A prerequisite for growing in this part of the region is stratification.

In addition to narrow-leaved lavender in the Urals, thermophilic species of this plant can be successfully grown, but either as a pot culture, or as an annual in a warm and favorable season. When self-sowing plants in this region, the seeds generally always die in the conditions of harsh winters. It is recommended to sow lavender outdoors only in May, and seedlings in June.

Attention! In the Urals, the most suitable way to propagate lavender is by seed.

Timely pruning is very important for the shrub. In the Urals, this is done in the spring in order to form neat bushes. Damaged and dry stems are removed from the plant. In summer, lavender is pruned after flowering. In the pre-winter time, the plant needs to be covered, you can also mulch with a thin layer of compost or peat. When growing lavender in the Urals (it does not matter on what soil), it is better to carry out additional feeding. In the spring, organic fertilizers are suitable, and in the summer, organic fertilizers or potassium-containing ones. It is not advisable to apply manure and nitrogen fertilizers, as this increases the growth of green mass.

Lavender needs annual pruning

In the Urals, in the Leningrad region and in the Moscow region, the cultivation of narrow-leaved lavender is practically no different. The only difference is in the soil, into which, if necessary, you need to apply certain fertilizers and plant care in the winter and pre-winter period. Any other type of lavender can be grown in pots.

Planting lavender: video

Lavender is one of the most famous aromatic plants. There is probably no person who, hearing this name, would not remember the lavender scent. Not everyone loves this smell, but few will be left indifferent by the sight of a blooming lavender field - a lilac sea of ​​flowers swaying in the wind.

Lavender was popular in ancient Egypt, it was grown in the sacred garden of Thebes. The ancient Romans used lavender flowers for bathing, washing hands, dishes, and laundry. Hence the name of the flower: in Latin lavare - to wash.

In Soviet times, lavender was grown in the Crimea for oil. Over the past 25 years, its plantings have greatly decreased, many essential oil farms have disintegrated. But in 2016, the lavender plantations were updated with 2 million new seedlings. This gives reason to hope for a revival of the industry.

For thousands of years, people have used lavender as an aromatic, essential oil, melliferous, medicinal, disinfectant plant. But it is no less valuable as a decorative culture, which, with proper care, can be grown even in the Moscow region.

Types and varieties of lavender

L. narrow-leaved

Lavender is a genus of evergreen dwarf shrub with a height of 30 to 100 cm with narrow green or gray-green leaves and spike-shaped inflorescences. The flowers are most often lilac or lilac-blue in color. All parts of the plant contain essential oil, the highest concentration of which is in flowers. Lavender is found naturally in the Canary Islands, Arabia, East and North Africa, India and southern Europe. Under favorable conditions, lavender bushes live up to 25 years.

The genus has 47 species and 7 hybrids.

The most famous member of the genus is narrow-leaved lavender, or real, or English (Lavandula angustifolia, L. officinalis). Leaves 2 to 6 cm long, narrow, with curled edges, gray-green due to pubescence. The flowers are bluish purple. This is the only type of lavender that overwinters outdoors in central Russia. In culture, various varieties of this species are grown, differing in the color of the flowers, for example:

Munstead - lilac blue

Alba - white

Rosea - pink

Gem - deep purple.

Lavender toothed (Lavandula dentata) differs from other species in soft gray-green or silvery leaves with jagged edges and large purple flowers. It is widely cultivated as an ornamental and essential oil plant. The most popular variety of scalloped lavender is Royal Crown, with purple flowers.

Stekhad lavender, or French (Lavandula stoechas) has narrow leaves 1-4 cm long and pinkish-purple flowers. Distributed in southern Europe, northern Africa and western Asia.

For lavender broadleaf (Lavandula latifolia), characterized by lanceolate leaves 3-6 cm long and 5-8 mm wide, wider than most lavender species. The flowers are light blue. Its aroma differs from the scent of narrow-leaved lavender due to the presence of cineole, camphor and borneol in the composition. It is less refined, but the content of essential oil in plants of this species is higher. The most popular varieties:

Papillon - mauve flowers that resemble butterflies,

Tiara - large blue flowers

Regal Splendour - deep purple flowers.

Pedunculate lavender (Lavandula pedunculata) contains essential oils similar in composition to those of lavender lavender. Has decorative value due to large inflorescences, consisting of scaly bracts and long purple flowers at the top.

Lavender woolly (Lavandula lanata) gets its name from the thick layer of hairs on the leaves. Long, spike-shaped inflorescences are purple in color.

Lavender multi-cut (Lavandula multifida) is very different in appearance from other varieties. The leaves are dissected, resembling fern leaves, and the bluish-purple inflorescences are arranged three at a time at the end of a long peduncle. It grows in northern Africa and southern Europe. In central Russia, it does not winter in the open field, it is grown as an annual or a houseplant.

Green lavender (Lavandula viridis) has an unusual color, its leaves and flowers are greenish-yellow. Particularly drought-resistant species, it grows in Portugal and Madeira.

Hybrid lavender, or Dutch, or lavender (Lavandula intermedia) is a natural sterile hybrid of English lavender with broadleaf. Differs in large inflorescences and narrow silvery leaves. It grows up to 2 m high. It is used to make essential oils. The most famous varieties:

Arabian Night - deep purple

Grosso - purple

Seal - blue-lilac

Olympia - deep purple

Growing lavender

What wisdom do you need to know in order to grow lavender outdoors? Planting and leaving, pruning, choosing a place ... Let's consider everything in order.

Choosing a landing site

Wild lavender grows in mountainous and hilly areas, and prefers those areas where there is a large amount of rainfall. Industrial cultivation of lavender geographically coincides with the zones of viticulture: France, Italy, Moldova, Crimea, North Caucasus. The soils on which this shrub grows are infertile, slate or calcareous.

Important: lavender does not tolerate close groundwater or stagnant water during heavy rainfall or snow melt in spring. Therefore, when planting, you need to choose a high place and ensure good drainage.

To do this, you need to add washed river sand or fine gravel to the soil.On heavy loams, lavender may not survive the winter.

Before planting, add a bucket of rotted manure or compost, 35-50 g of superphosphate and 20-25 g of potassium salt per 1 m² of area. This plant loves alkaline soils, acidic soils must be limed until a pH of 6.5-7.5 is reached.

The place where lavender will grow should be as sunny and open as possible.

Care

The plant is undemanding to moisture, but it does not tolerate prolonged droughts. On light sandy or peaty soils in dry summer, it needs regular watering, on loams there is usually enough rain. In hot summers, mulching the soil around the bushes will retain moisture and prevent crusting on the soil surface. If you leave the soil bare, then you need to loosen it periodically to provide air access to the roots. But with heavy rains, it is better to rake mulch from the bushes so that the plants do not rot.

At the beginning of summer, lavender can be fed with nitrogen fertilizers if the soils are very poor. In the second half of summer, excess nitrogen can interfere with flowering, but potassium fertilization will be very useful.

Wintering

In temperate climates in the open ghunt, only narrow-leaved lavender winters; other types of lavender cannot withstand the harsh Russian winters. But for the successful wintering of this single species, certain conditions are needed:

• The bushes are loosely covered with spruce branches (branches of conifers), especially in areas open to the wind. It is better not to cover with foliage, the plants can vanish.
• In severe winters with little snow, snow is shoveled around the bushes to save them from freezing.
• In the spring, the snow is raked away, accelerating the heating of the frozen soil and creating conditions for the roots to be included in the work.
• Bushes are pruned to reduce the evaporation area, otherwise the plants may dry out in the bright spring sun, when the roots are not yet able to draw water from the frozen ground.

Pruning

Some gardeners mistakenly believe that it is enough to remove only faded flower stalks from lavender. But then the plant will stretch out strongly, the branches will be bare from below and the bush will not look very decorative.

Important: pruning for lavender is essential. When pruning, the shoots are shortened by one third of the length.

In the south, this procedure is carried out in the fall, in the middle lane and Siberia, it is better to postpone pruning until spring, so that the plant is less damaged in winter.

Bushes over 10 years old need to be rejuvenated. They are cut almost to the root, leaving only 5 cm above the ground from the shoots. An old bush with a height of more than 1.5 m grew on my site. It is already more than 20 years old, the previous owners launched it, the old branches were very bare and gradually died out. But after a strong pruning on the seemingly lifeless branches, as if out of nothing, new strong shoots began to grow. So even in the case of a neglected bush, do not be afraid to carry out anti-aging pruning, the appearance of the plant will only benefit from this.

Growing at home

Lavender can be successfully grown not only outdoors, but also indoors. To do this, you must observe the following rules:

• From the end of October to February, arrange additional lighting so that the daylight hours are not less than 10 hours.
• The room needs to be ventilated, but the plant should not be exposed to cold air; it is dangerous to leave it under an open window in winter.
• The main danger for lavender growing in an apartment is dry hot air coming from central heating batteries. Therefore, in winter, pots of lavender should be taken out to a cool room, where the temperature will not exceed 15 degrees and do not fall below 5 degrees. If this is not possible, it is recommended to install a humidifier in the room and spray the plants with water from a spray bottle every day.
• In summer, it is better to take pots of lavender out to a balcony or loggia.

Growing lavender at home

Reproduction

Most often, lavender is propagated by green cuttings. For beginners, methods such as dividing a bush and reproduction by layering are more suitable.But if there are no cuttings or bushes at hand, then it is quite possible to grow this fragrant plant from seeds.

Seed propagation

In the southern regions, lavender seeds can be sown directly into open ground before winter. But in most of our country, winters are too harsh for this planting method, and plants are grown through seedlings.

In January, the seeds are mixed with sterilized wet sand and placed in the vegetable compartment of the refrigerator. After one to two months, in February-March, the seeds are planted in prepared soil. To prepare the soil, mix 3 parts of garden soil, 2 parts of humus and 1 part of washed river sand. It is also good to add perlite.

Seed lavender

When two true leaves appear, the seedlings dive into separate pots. In May-June, the seedlings are planted in a permanent place, observing the distance between the bushes of 50-100 cm. The further south the growing region, the more luxuriant the bushes will be and the more space you need to leave for the development of plants.

Lavender begins to bloom in the second abundant flowering from the third year.

Propagation by cuttings

To cultivate lavender at the end of June, young slightly lignified cuttings 10 cm long are cut off. The lower leaves are cut off, the cut is powdered with root roots and planted in a mini-greenhouse, keeping a distance of 6 cm between rows and 4 cm in a row. A light substrate is needed for planting: a mixture of sand, perlite, peat, turf.

After 4-5 weeks, the branches will be overgrown with roots. If the cuttings grow in the ground, then they are transplanted to a permanent place in the spring. Young plants in pots must be transplanted no later than mid-August so that they have time to take root in a new place before the onset of cold weather. Therefore, one should not be late with cuttings. If, nevertheless, it did not work out in time to plant the processes in a permanent place, you can arrange for them to winter in a cool room with a temperature of 5-15 degrees.

Reproduction by layering

This is the easiest way to propagate lavender, available even to novice gardeners. In the spring, the lower shoots are bent to the ground and laid on the bottom of a groove 3-5 cm deep. Then they are fixed, for example, with a hairpin made of thick wire and sprinkled with earth. At the end of summer, roots are formed on the buried area of ​​the stem, as evidenced by the appearance of new leaves. If the roots have not grown enough for independent existence, then the cuttings are left until next summer. A year later, the shoot with roots is carefully cut off, the place of the cut is sprinkled with charcoal and the new plant is transplanted to a permanent place.

Reproduction by dividing the bush

An overgrown lavender bush over 3 years old can be divided into several separate plants. In the fall, the bush needs to be cut tightly, to a height of 8-10 cm from the ground, and it should be well covered with earth, so that there is no void between the stems. In the spring, add earth again, as the soil will settle over the winter. In the fall, the bush can be dug up and divided into individual plants.

Diseases and pests

Lavender is a fairly problem-free plant in terms of disease and pest damage. But occasionally troubles happen to him.

Gray rot

Due to waterlogging in cool weather, lavender bushes can get sick with gray rot. This happens quite rarely when there are drainage problems. The decayed parts of the plant must be cut off and burned so as not to spread the fungus.

Pennitsa (slobber)

This insect from the category of cicadas is widespread throughout Russia. The length of the penny is 5-8 mm, it can have various colors, from solid black to light brown with various patterns. They can live in very humid and very dry places.

Pennitsa lays eggs at the base of the lavender shoots. The larvae hatch from them produce a foamy liquid, similar to saliva. It is necessary to protect against enemies and from drying out. The larvae feed on the juices of the host plant, which greatly weaken it, and reduce decorativeness.

To remove the saliva larvae, you need to rinse them with a stream of water from a hose.Treatment with insecticides also helps.

Rainbow beetle (rosemary beetle)

This leaf beetle 5-8 mm long has a very beautiful color - longitudinal stripes of green and purple, shimmering with metal. It feeds on lavender, rosemary leaves, less often thyme, sage and perovski. You can only deal with it by mechanical collection.

Agalmatium two-bladed

Agalmatium is widespread in the south of Russia and specializes in essential oil crops. This insect, up to 6 mm long, lays pale yellow eggs in groups of 2-22 on lavender stems from the shady side. Sticky eggs become covered with dust, disguising themselves as lumps of earth. The larvae hatched from eggs feed on lavender leaves, forming dots and spots on them.

To protect against agalmatiums, plants are treated with insecticides.

Harvesting lavender

They begin to collect lavender when half of the flower stalks have blossomed. At this time, the aroma is strongest, and the color of the flowers is especially bright. This is usually the end of June.

The collection is carried out late in the morning, in dry weather. Better if the day is cool, then more essential oil will be retained. Use pruning shears or scissors to collect. The collected inflorescences are laid out on paper or tied in small bouquets and hung on a rope with the flowers down. The drying room must be protected from direct sunlight and well ventilated.

Lavender in landscape design

Lavender is an essential element of a Mediterranean style garden. Alpine slides, rockeries, pharmaceutical gardens, tubs on the patio, pots on the balcony - this elegant plant will be appropriate everywhere. Often lavender bushes line the paths in gardens and parks, allowing you to plunge into the cloud of their scent while walking.

Rose and lavender

The classic is the combination of lavender with rose bushes. Joint plantings with plants with yellow flowers are very effective. An ideal companion for young lavender bushes is Escholzia with its large bright carrot flowers. In a spice garden, lavender will be appropriate next to rosemary, catnip, oregano and sage.

Video

Lavender is a valuable plant with a delicious aroma and rich lilac flowers that has a number of beneficial properties. In the wild, it grows in North and East Africa, Arabia, Australia, India, the Canary Islands and southern Europe. As a habitat, lavender chooses rocks and mountain slopes, where the land is rocky and poor. French Provence is famous for its vast lavender fields. The plant belongs to the Lamb family. The ancient Greeks and Romans used the plant during washing and washing. Hence it got its name, which comes from the Latin "lava" and means the word "wash".

Description of the plant and useful properties

Lavender is a perennial plant.... The evergreen shrub has a fibrous root system that goes two hundred centimeters deep into the ground. The lignified stems at the bottom can grow up to sixty centimeters in height. Some varieties are up to a meter.

The straight leaves of a rich green color with a silvery sheen are opposite and slightly pubescent. In some varieties, the leaves are narrow and thin, while in others they are wide and rounded.

Small flowers form spike-shaped inflorescences, arranged in whorls of six to ten pieces. Inflorescences appear at the top of the shoots that do not have leaves. The classic color of lavender flowers is lilac with a blue tint, but there are flowers in other shades: snow-white, bluish, lilac and pink. The flowers give off a delicious spicy scent that spreads throughout the area. Due to this aroma, the plant is an excellent honey plant. Depending on the climate lavender bloom can be seen from June to August. Lavender seeds retain their germination ability for a long time if stored properly.

Lavender is especially prized for its precious essential oil. It is obtained most often from lavender broadleaf. Medicinal lavender is cultivated for medicinal purposes. The healing properties of the plant were known even during the existence of Ancient Greece. Lavender has been used to treat a wide variety of diseases.

Lavender contains essential oil, coumarins, flavonoids, tannins, resins, terpene alcohols, bitterness and other substances. Lavender soothes, relieves pain, disinfects, promotes tissue repair, expels worms, and also has a diuretic, antispasmodic and bactericidal effect. Lavender tidies up the nervous system, has a beneficial effect on sleep and improves mood. It is used for diseases of the bladder, disorders of the gastrointestinal tract, respiratory system and musculoskeletal system.

Characteristics of lavender varieties

Toothed lavender is a compact plant with large flowers. This variety can be successfully grown at home. This species is most often sold in gardening stores. He does not tolerate frost, but hibernates in a cool room with enough light.

• French lavender (broadleaf) is a plant with broad leaves and rich color. The buds are colored less brightly than other varieties, and the smell is sharper and more noticeable.
• Narrow-leaved lavender (English) is a shrub with narrow leaves. It reaches a meter in diameter. This variety perfectly tolerates the winter months, it is easy to care for it. Narrow-leaved lavender blooms in the middle of summer. Variety "Hidkot" is characterized by deep purple flowers and small silvery leaves. Fragrant Provence flowers are used in the production of oils and for culinary purposes. The variety called "Manstad" is distinguished by its blue flowers and high decorative qualities.
• Hybrid lavender is the result of a combination of narrow-leaved and broad-leaved varieties. It is quite common among gardeners.
• Stekhad lavender dissolves pink-purple flowers and blooms from March to June. The leaves reach a length of one to four centimeters and are grayish in color.
• Lavender woolly differs in tubular flowers of purple color, forming spike-shaped inflorescences. This variety is difficult to tolerate rainfall and excessive soil moisture, so it is well suited for growing indoors.

How to grow lavender from seeds (video)

Propagation of lavender in the garden by seeds, seedlings and cuttings

Before planting, lavender seeds must be stratified, which is carried out in February. Seeds are sown in a container filled with wet sand or peat, then covered with a film. For thirty to forty days, a bowl with seeds is left in a room with a temperature of plus three to minus five degrees. For these purposes, a basement, cellar or refrigerator with a specified temperature is suitable. The dish is regularly ventilated and disposed of condensation. After the specified period, the bowl is placed in a warm place with a temperature of fifteen to twenty degrees so that the seeds begin to germinate. A well-lit window sill is ideal for placement. Seedlings will not stretch if there is enough light.

When the planting material has four to six leaves, the seedlings are seated in separate pots - they dive. Pinch the top of each plant, counting five to six pairs of leaves, so that it bushes well. Seedlings are planted in the garden in Maywhen the frost is gone. Saturated lilac flowers will appear next year.

If it is not possible to grow seedlings, the seeds can be sown directly into the open ground. This is done in October.The seeds are sown to a depth of four millimeters and covered with sand on top. Then the soil is moistened, and in winter more snow is thrown on the place where the seeds are planted.

Lavender can be grown from cuttings, which is easier than seed propagation. In late June - early July, cuttings are cutusing the middle of the one year old shoots, which are only half lignified. Each stalk should be ten centimeters long. The leaves on the bottom are removed. For the cuttings, a greenhouse is prepared with a soil consisting of peat and sand in a one-to-one ratio. The tips of the cuttings are treated with a rapid root formation agent and planted. After a month, young plants will have roots. Lavender, propagated in this way, is planted in open ground until mid-August.

Features of transplanting a plant in the fall to a new place

Lavender is difficult to tolerate a transplant, but in some cases this procedure is necessary. The plant is transplanted if the bush has stopped growing, the plant needs to be transplanted to a more suitable place, or a large bush needs to be divided. The plant has a very strong root system, which can go three to four meters into the depths of the soil.

The shrub is dug out carefully, damaging the roots as little as possible. The preferred time for replanting lavender is autumn. Lavender needs at least two months to take root before frosts come. If it is necessary to divide a large bush, the root system is divided into several parts using a garden knife. Each part must remain rooted. Places of cuts are sprinkled with coal and each new plant is planted in a permanent place.

Planting lavender outdoors

Lavender seedlings are planted in open ground at the end of May. The plant is used to decorate alpine hills, flower beds. Lavender is planted near curbs and paths.

Soil selection

A suitable place for planting lavender is immediately chosen carefully, because the transplantation negatively affects the plant. Lavender can live comfortably in one place for twenty years. A sunny area located in the south or southwest of the garden is suitable for her. If the shade falls on the lavender, it will not bloom lush. In areas located in the lowlands and periodically flooded, flowers are not planted. If there is no suitable place for a plant in the garden, then artificially create beds forty centimeters high, be sure to organize drainage from expanded clay or crushed stone.

Lavender loves slightly alkaline or neutral, sandy or slightly rocky soils, in which moisture does not retain. Sand, lime and compost are added to clay soils, which are quite heavy. If the groundwater reaches a high level, drainage must be organized.

Breeding methods for lavender (video)

Planting process

Before planting, the soil is prepared by digging to a depth of twenty centimeters, and loosened by adding compost or peat.

Seedlings are planted in the garden, keeping a distance of eighty to ninety centimeters. If tall lavender is planted, the distance is increased to one hundred and twenty centimeters. The hole should accommodate the root system of the seedling and not constrain it. Before planting, the roots are shortened a little.... The bush is placed in a hole and covered with earth. The root collar is buried to a depth of four to six centimeters. The planted plants are well watered.

In places where a warm climate prevails in winter, the seeds of the plant are sown directly into the open ground. The process takes place in October. First, the soil is prepared, fine gravel or sand is introduced into the wet ground in order to increase the air and moisture permeability of the soil. Seeds are sown to a depth of three to four centimeters, then the soil is compacted and the crops are watered, if the autumn months are not generous with rains.

Secrets of proper care for lavender

Water the flower as the soil dries out, because excessive moisture saturation can cause rotting of the root system. It is also not recommended to allow the plants to dry out. During irrigation, a stream of water is directed under the root system, trying not to fall on the leaves. In the spring and autumn months, the bushes spud... The plant needs a haircut.

In the spring, the plant is fertilized using nitrogen fertilization. For ten liters of water add a tablespoon of urea or two tablespoons of "sodium humate". The resulting fertilizer is watered with lavender bushes, spending five to six liters per plant.

When lavender begins to bloom, it is fed with Agricola Fantasy. The solution is formed by adding two tablespoons of the product to ten liters of water. Three to four liters are spent on each bush. Stop fertilizing lavender starting in mid-summer. If you continue feeding in the second half of the summer period, lavender will actively grow foliage and will not be able to prepare well for the winter cold. Near the plants, the soil can be covered with compost.

Purpose and technology of pruning lavender

Lavender shrubs need periodic pruning. If this procedure is neglected, over the years it will lose its decorative properties due to the exposure of the lower part of the stems. Pruning the plant in autumnremoving one third of the shoots. After flowering, this should not be done. In the spring, they get rid of the inflorescences of the last year.

Preparing flowers for winter

During the severe winter months, when the temperature drops to minus twenty-five degrees, flowers can freeze if there is not enough snow. To avoid this the bushes are covered using a light cover that does not retain water. Spruce branches are perfect for this purpose. Do not use dry leaves or sawdust as a shelter: these materials cause the bushes to dry out.

How to grow lavender at a dacha in the Moscow region and the Leningrad region

In the Moscow region and the Leningrad region, English lavender is successfully cultivated - medicinal, or narrow-leaved. In these areas, the same principles of cultivation and subsequent care apply as in regions with a more benign climate. Seeds are sown in the ground after frosts - in May, and seedlings are placed in open ground, mainly in June. It is not recommended to sow planting material before winter. - it can freeze in a harsh winter.

How to cultivate lavender (video)

Lavender is a magical plant with rich flowers and divine scent. Not a single gardener will refuse the opportunity to decorate his site with a blooming fairy tale.

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