Growing Lavender

Growing Lavender in Humid Climates We get a lot of inquiries from people from the Southeastern states that are hopeful lavender will grow in their yards. Lavender isn't fond of damp, still air, which makes the plant more susceptible to root rot and other maladies. This difficulty can be minimized by increasing the spaces between the plants so the air can move around them more easily. When you plant your lavender, make sure you are aware of how big the plant will be when it's mature AND with full blooms. Good air circulation and proper drainage are the keys to a better chance of success. A lady named Madelene Hill has trialed about 50 varieties of lavender at her central Texas farm. She recommends SERIOUS mulching with pea gravel, crushed granite or sand to cut down the probability of fungal diseases. Hill has large, healthy foliaged lavandins, but they have never bloomed. She thinks it's because they don't get a winter time to be dormant and recoup. However, one species that does do well for her is Spanish Lavender (L. stoechas). The Spanish Lavender also does well in a container.