Narrow-leaved lavender: plant and fall in love

When we talk about lavender, we mean narrow-leaved lavender (it’s also English and true).

The cultivation and care of this plant will be discussed in the article.

Description

Evergreen lavender narrow-leaved, the planting and care of which we consider in the article, inconspicuous in appearance, with narrow leaves and lilac spikelets of flowers has become a constant and popular inhabitant of gardens and flower beds. It is appreciated for its fragrance and extraordinary beauty during flowering.

Reaches in height of one meter, sprawling. Leaves narrow gray-green color. The flowers are rather narrow, elongated upwards in the shape of an ear, have different shades of purple, blue, pink. Because of its flavor has a high decorative value. Other qualities - an antiseptic effect, is also a honey plant, so lavender is also grown commercially.

Flowering occurs in the summer (June-July). Due to its cold resistance it can perfectly survive in our latitudes. But it requires some knowledge and conditions. This will be discussed further.

Location selection

Planting begins with the selection of a place for cultivation. And although growing lavender in the open field is not difficult, you need to know some rules.

Lighting

The plant comes from the Mediterranean. So the sun and heat need a lot. Choose open areas at higher elevations.

But well tolerated drought. The plant tolerates urban conditions, so that you can grow it even near the house in a flower bed.

Growing soil

Growing soil should be light and well drained. Heavy loam and high moisture soils are not suitable for successful growth.Therefore, take care of the drainage in advance and ensure high alkali content. There are no other special requirements for the land.

Planting rules for a herbaceous plant

Place selected. Now we will think how to plant. Let us consider the existing options.

Cuttings

Green cuttings are applicable in cool weather conditions. In the spring or summer cuttings are cut in length of about 10 cm. Cuttings are planted in closed soil or in pots.

The filler in the first stage of growth can be:

• a mixture of land and peat;
• sand with peat;
• turfy ground with wood shavings.

Watering is done by spraying from a spray bottle. Dew is formed on the leaves, which makes it possible to nourish the plants, but not to moisten the substrate. This way you can avoid rotting seedlings. Winter shanks better in the greenhouse. If the plant began to grow in pots, then it should be quickly landed in the ground. If you linger with a transplant, the plant can freeze. Therefore, it is necessary to conduct cuttings as early as possible. After wintering, in spring, plants can be planted at a permanent place of growth.

Layering

Reproduction by layering, perhaps, the easiest way.To do this, bend a branch of a bush and place it horizontally into a prepared groove, 3-5 cm deep. Sprinkle it with a layer of earth on top and press it with a load (stone, brick). Until rooting, it is necessary to maintain the humidity of the earth near the cuttings. If the bush grows in a very sunny place, it is necessary to provide shading of the place of withdrawal. After a few months in such conditions, the branch will take root, it can be separated from the mother bush and landed in a new place.

Seeds

The most difficult way to grow lavender is reproduction from seeds, then we will tell you how to grow a plant by this method. Seeds need to provide a period of stratification (aging at low temperatures). Mix the seeds with sand and leave in the refrigerator for 30 days. Periodically do not forget to moisten from a spray. Now everything is ready for sowing in a box or a bed. At room temperature shoots appear within a month. In the phase of 2-3 leaves of the plant can be dive.

After wintering the seedlings can be planted in open ground. Flowering from such plants can be expected for 2-3 years. Now you know the breeding methods for narrow-leaved lavender - cutting, cutting and growing from seed. Next, touch the rules of care for this plant.

Proper care for narrow-leaved lavender

For all its simplicity, lavender care is necessary. Below we tell about the rules of care.

Watering

Watering is vital for young plants. The older the bush becomes, the less moisture it requires. But the drought does not benefit any plant. Therefore, watering adult specimens should be carried out when the soil dries. Waterlogging will cause decay.

Top dressing

Top dressing is also necessary for young bushes. You can make potash at the beginning of flowering. Use manure and humates with care.

For lavender, most of the mineral mixtures used (for example, Agricola-Fantasia) will be very concentrated. Dilute 100 g per bucket of water.

Weeding and soil care

Before planting the soil must be carefully prepared. Clear weeds, make drainage.In the future, there is a need for interrow weeding, hilling. These procedures should be regular. Mulching contributes to the growth of young shoots. Mulch is best done in the spring and winter. But you should not mulch near the base of the bush - this will prevent the plants from rotting.

Pruning

Pruning allows you to extend the life of the bush. In addition to this procedure, you will form beautiful bushes. Despite the fact that lavender grows slowly, pruning allows you to remove escapes from the general system. It is carried out immediately after flowering and for the winter one more. Cannot be cut to stiff stalks. Be sure to leave 4-5 young escape.

How to protect the plant from diseases and pests

Lavender rarely affects diseases or pests. Occasionally, gray mold or pennits occur.

You can get rid of gray rot by destroying diseased leaves.

Larvae pennits harm lavender does not cause. But their protective foam spoils the look of the plant. Okat water from a hose, you can easily remove these parasites.

Shelter for the winter

Young plants and seedlings for the winter is better to cover the film. Old bushes do not need special shelter. Frost they tolerate well. The main problem is the sweating under the snow or the weathering of moisture. Drainage is needed to prevent decay. You can also cover the plants with branches for snow retention.

For the termination of drainage - pruning in autumn of green leaves. As you can see, lavender can safely take a seat in your garden to please the eye and smell. Caring for a plant is simple and it does not deliver difficulties.