English Lavender
"Lavandula stoechas"

*Perennial

Zones:              4-24
Plant Height:     Stocky plant 1-2 ft tall
Days to Germination: 10-28 (so be patient)
Planting Depth:  1/8 in deep
Plant Spacing:    18 in

Start seed indoors near a sunny window 6 weeks before transplanting to the garden or, sow in garden in full sun when frost danger is over and ground is warm. Does best in rows 2 ft apart.

All lavenders need full sun and good drainage; they are moderately drought tolerant. Lavenders like alkaline soil; you may want to test your soil, adding lime if found necessary. Heavy clay soils need the addition of sand for lavenders; Compost is the only fertilizer needed. Mulch lavenders with a 2" layer of sand or white pebbles, which will reflect the sunlight back into the plant and help prevent fungus diseases. Leaving adequate spacing between plants will also help air circulation. Lavenders benefit from a cover of evergreen branches in the winter and a pruning of not more than one-third of the plant in the spring. Deer do not appear to care for the taste of lavender; in fact, some gardeners plant lavender among other plants as a deterrent to deer.