FAQ: Growing Lavendar In Texas?

Does lavender grow well in Texas?

Not every type of lavender will grow in every Texas garden. It is winter-hardy in much of Texas but unfortunately is also more susceptible to fungal diseases brought on by our relatively high humidity. Gardeners in the Dallas area have had the most success with ‘Munstead’ and ‘Hidcote’ varieties.

What Lavender grows best in Texas?

English Lavenders (Lavandula angustifolia) are actually from the Mediterranean. They are called English Lavender because they are the variety that grows best in England’s climate (and in Central Texas, too)! They are quite cold-hardy and bloom in late spring/early summer in Central Texas.

How do you care for lavender in Texas?

Lavender needs a very well drained, gritty, alkaline soil (ph 6.5-7.5 or even higher). They do not tolerate heavy, wet, or poorly drained soils. To improve drainage, plant on raised mounds or beds to drain away excess water.

Does lavender come back every year?

Lavenders require an annual prune to increase longevity, stimulate new flowers and slow down the woody growth at the base. Lavenders are perennial sub shrubs which retain a woody base all year round. If you prune the lavender too harshly at the end of the Summer or in the Spring then the lavender may not come back.

Does Lavender need lots of sun?

Given a sunny, well-drained site, lavenders will thrive in dry, poor soil and even self-seed. This is a good time to add new lavender to the garden; planting is recommended no later than two months before the first hard frost, to let plants get settled in.

Does lavender keep bugs away?

Lavender repels moths, flies, fleas, and mosquitoes. Use it fresh or dry some of the flowers to hang around the house or put in with your clothing to keep bugs out.

Is Lavender easy to grow?

Growing lavender is easy and rewarding. Lavender can be grown in garden beds or in pots. To grow lavender successfully it needs well-drained soil and full sun. In arid climates lavender grows well as a perennial, but in humid climates it is often grown as an annual.

How often should lavender be watered?

How to Care for Lavender. Water once or twice a week after planting until plants are established. Water mature plants every two to three weeks until buds form, then once or twice weekly until harvest. In colder growing areas, plants may need extra winter protection.

Will deer eat lavender?

Deer also tend to turn their noses up at fragrant plants with strong scents. Herbs such as sages, ornamental salvias, and lavender, as well as flowers like peonies and bearded irises, are just “stinky” to deer. Neither do deer (unless they’re desperate). Plants such as lamb’s ear are not on their preferred menu.

How big does lavender get?

Lavender is a small shrub that usually grows 20 to 24 inches tall and wide. The height includes the flower stalks, so when not in bloom, the foliage may be only a foot tall. The plant does not spread as thyme, oregano, and other herbs tend to.

How fast does lavender grow?

Growth Rate From Seed

Seeds may take two weeks or more to germinate and several months to reach transplantable size, or about 3 inches tall. Once transplanted into the garden, lavender grows several inches per year, flowering in the second or third year after transplant.

What herbs grow well in Texas?

Those best adapted to pot culture are basil, chives, mint, parsley, rosemary, and sweet marjoram. Either start herbs from seeds indoors or dig up herbs from the garden toward the end of the growing season and place them in pots.

What happens if you don’t prune lavender?

However, lavender should not be pruned during the winter. Unlike many perennial plants and shrubs that can be pruned now, it is best to wait to prune lavender until after bloom in spring or in early fall before any danger of frost. Pruning now can cause dieback that may kill the plant.

Should I deadhead lavender?

Deadheading. Cut off spent blooms to encourage more to form. However, you can leave them in place towards the end of the flowering season as food for seed-eating birds such as goldfinches.

Is Lavender poisonous to dogs?

Lavender, the plant, does contain a small amount of a compound called linalool, which is toxic to both dogs and cats. The linalool is found in such small concentrations, however, that this is rarely an issue. Problems arise only if a dog ingests a very large quantity of lavender.