- When does lavender bloom?
- Extend the flowering time of lavender
- Long flowering lavender varieties and species
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Lavender impresses with its lush purple flowers. You can find out how to keep this flower for as long as possible and how to extend the flowering period here.
The heyday of lavender (Lavandula) is in the summer months from July to August. While lavender opens its flowers in its original home, the warm Mediterranean region, as early as May, we unfortunately usually have to wait a little longer. However, some lavender varieties then bloom into autumn and enrich the garden with a fragrant sea of flowers. You can even prolong the flowering of your lavender with suitable care measures. In this article, we will explain what you need to be aware of.
When does lavender bloom?
The flowering time of lavender depends primarily on the species. There are early flowering and late flowering types and varieties. French lavender (Lavandula stoechas) grows mainly in its homeland, the coastal regions of the Mediterranean. It opens its flowers as early as May and is therefore one of the early bloomers of the Lavandula genus. The lavender with the pretty flowers is characterized above all by its long flowering period until August or even September. However, the French lavender is only partially hardy in our latitudes and therefore needs special protective measures in the cold months of the year.
Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia), on the other hand, can be found in higher mountain regions. It does not open its flowers until the beginning of June, but is extremely robust due to its origin. You may have to be patient at the beginning, because depending on the variety and growing conditions, lavender flowers only in the second year. On the other hand, it can also be overwintered outside without any problems. Shortly after the common lavender, the spike lavender (Lavandula latifolia) begins to bloom as the last in the group.
Most lavender types and varieties do not flower until the end of June or beginning of July under our climatic conditions. The flowering time not only depends on the species and variety, but also on the weathersoil conditions and maintenance. Under optimal conditions, your lavender will bloom profusely in the warm summer months and spread its scent throughout the garden. Lavender loves the sun and the following rule of thumb applies in many growing regions: the more sunshine, the higher the yield.
Extend the flowering time of lavender
You can hardly influence the weather. However, the site conditions and the care measures also make a decisive contribution to the well-being of your lavender. You can already ensure optimal growth conditions when planting. The Mediterranean subshrub prefers warm and sunny locations with calcareous, well-drained soil. A heavy garden soil can also be improved by working in sand. A drainage layer of pebbles is also a good way to avoid waterlogging - as much as possible.
Since lavender plants grow on poor, stony soil in their homeland, their nutrient requirements are not particularly high. Rather the opposite is the case, because too much fertilization can have a negative effect on winter hardiness. A small annual fertilizer application at the beginning of the growth phase (March/April) is therefore completely sufficient. It is best to use fertilizers with an organic long-term effect - such as our Plantura organic universal fertilizer. These also provide your lavender with sufficient nutrients in the long term. Above all, the phosphorus it contains and enough potassium are important for rich flowering. With lavender in pot culture, you should also change the substrate once a year and, depending on the growth of the plant, replace the pot with a larger planter.
Another measure to extend the flowering period is summer pruning. This should be done at the beginning of August at the latest so as not to negatively affect winter hardiness. The withered stems are cut off to stimulate a second flowering. This allows the plant to invest all of its strength in the new flowers. For more information on cutting lavender, click here.
Long flowering lavender varieties and species
Since the flowering time is very dependent on the species and variety, you should already keep an eye on the properties of the individual species when buying lavender. So that you can benefit from the fragrant flowers for as long as possible, we would like to introduce you to some long-flowering lavender varieties below.
Long flowering French lavender:
- 'Marshwood': Popular variety with lush flowers in shades of pink and purple; flowers from May to September
- , Anouk': variety with dark purple flowers; long flowering period from May to August; bushy growth; intense, pleasant fragrance
Long-flowering Common Lavender:
- ,Folgate': Particularly early flowering lavender (from June) with compact foliage, tall spikes and sapphire-blue flowers; very well suited as a low hedge or border for beds
- , Munstead': Especially early flowering variety (from June); uncomplicated in care; midnight blue flowers and attractive silver-grey foliage; spreads intense fragrance; compact growth
- 'Irene Doyle': Also known as 'Two Seasons'; blooms twice a year from mid to late June and September/October
- ,Blue Mountain White': medium-tall true lavender; white flowers from early June to late September
You can find a comprehensive collection of different types and varieties of lavender here.