High Elevation Gardening Web Log "Blog"

Gardeners are especially fortunate in Flagstaff because lavenders are well suited to our alkaline soil and arid conditions. They have the added benefit of drought tolerance and resist browsing deer, elk and rabbits. Although they prefer the same fast draining soil as do grape vines, they can be grown in Flagstaff’s clay as long as care is taken to make sure the roots are not allowed to be constantly wet.

Too much moisture from the snow can make it difficult for some lavenders to survive the winter. They can be given a helping hand by planting them on a hill to allow for better drainage or by adding sand or coarse gravel around the base of the plant to keep the crown drier. A lavender that is more tolerant of wet soils is Lavandula intermedia ‘Provence,’ which is grown commercially in France for its oil and flowers. The flowers are very fragrant and are a favorite for dried potpourri.

Lavenders bloom in the late spring and summer and for the most part bloom only once a year. Plant propagators have been successful in developing two English lavenders that will bloom twice a year if promptly deadheaded after the first bloom of flowers. These varieties are called ‘Sharon Roberts’ and ‘Buena Vista English Lavender’.

There is also a white lavender, Lavandula intermedia ‘alba,’ which blooms once a year and is spectacular when interspersed with the more traditional purple lavenders. The blooming time can by extended by planting both English and French varieties, the English lavender blooming in late spring and French lavender in early summer.

Lavenders are considered shrubs and can range in size from a foot high and wide for dwarf varieties to up to three feet for the larger varieties. Lavenders love full sun and won’t do well without it. They will tolerate some fertilizer, but if they get too much, it could cause root problems and a decrease in flowering. An organic fertilizer that improves the health of the soil is the best if applied sparingly and in the fall.

In spring when the plant begins to show new growth, cut back the stems by no more than a third of their original length. This helps to encourage new flower growth. Harvesting the flowers every year also helps to encourage growth of new flowers the following year. When flowers are harvested and dried, they can be used for potpourri, scented oils, or anywhere the heady aroma of fresh lavender can be enjoyed.

Good companion plants for lavenders would be anything that helps showcase their exquisitely colored flowers and also enjoys the same sun, soil, and water requirements. Many penstemons such as rocky mountain, pineleaf, or desert beardtongue work well as companion plants. Any of the hummingbird mints would be spectacular with their orange, red and sometimes bright pink flowers. Yarrow is also a good companion plant, especially colored yarrows such as “moonshine” yarrow with its sunny yellow blossoms. Another yellow blooming plant that works well is dwarf sundrops with the added benefit of producing blossoms all summer long.

All of the varieties of lavender are appealing and will thrive in our occasional harsh and unforgiving conditions. Lavenders will reward the gardener after year after year with beautiful and fragrant blossoms.

Cindy Wilder is a Master Gardener volunteer. Dana Prom Smith, a Master Gardener volunteer and coordinating editor of the Master Gardener Column, can be contacted at stpauls@npgcable.com. For gardening questions, call the Master Gardener Hotline, 774-1868, x19, or check MG Web site: highelevationgardening.arizona.edu..