The topic of our article (“Lavender: planting and leaving in the suburbs”) is of interest not only to those who are just starting to communicate with the world of flowers. Even experienced gardeners need information in order to properly behave in the process of communicating with a particular plant. Before planting lavender, you need to carefully study all the features of this procedure, as well as the basic requirements for caring for a flower. As a result, the whole process will be completed successfully, and you will receive a reward in the form of a beautiful flower bed for the envy of everyone around.
General Description
As for such a species as narrow-leaved lavender, planting and caring for this flower in the Moscow region do not differ from these processes in other regions of Russia. The principle of action is the same. But first, let's dwell on the general characteristics of the plant. Lavender has won a strong place for itself both in the field of landscape design and in light industry in the manufacture of perfumery water, fresheners, gel, etc. The plant came to us from the Mediterranean and has about 30 varieties. Plants such as mint, rosemary, thyme are its direct relatives. Delicate pleasant aroma will not leave anyone indifferent, and purple flowers delight the eye of everyone who sees them. The plant itself has a narrow trunk with narrow greenish-gray leaves. The buds are collected in an inflorescence that blooms from June to August. Interestingly, even when dried, the flowers retain their ability to scent, and they are highly valued for this ability.
Different types
Whether lavender grows in the suburbs or in another region, it needs proper care everywhere. Convenient is the fact that all plant varieties require the same set of measures. Despite the large number of species, only a few varieties of lavender are found in our gardens:
- "English lavender". A shrub with narrow leaves that grows up to a meter in diameter, tolerates winter well, has an unpretentious character, and blooms in mid-summer.
- "French lavender". In this species, the leaves have a bright shade and a wide shape. The buds are also a few tones lighter than the other species, and the smell is particularly pungent.
- "Dutch lavender". This plant is very similar to the previous two, but can reach two meters in height.
- "Jagged Lavender". Silver leaves and buds with a lilac tint distinguish it from relatives, besides, it mainly grows indoors, and not verytakes root in open ground.
Lavender: planting and care in the open field
Many of us have heard a song about this mountain flower. He loves mountains, which means he absolutely cannot stand high humidity. The peculiarity of its roots gives the flower the ability to absorb moisture deep from the ground. When choosing a place to plant your lavender, consider this point, as well as the fact that it prefers loose soil and plenty of sun. Shade will work too, but you won't be able to see the full bloom of the plant. If it so happens that you have very wet ground in your garden, and the site is in a lowland, make a small hill and plant a flower there. As for the quality of the soil, avoid planting lavender in an area with high acidity, and if there is no other way, then take care to neutralize the soil with a lime mortar.
Before planting, you need to add compost to the soil to loosen the soil and add fertility. It is recommended to plant a flower near the borders, where they will look very good. Plant bushes so that the distance between them is the same as the height of an adult plant. In this case, such a flower bed looks well-groomed, and it will be easier for you to look after each of them.
Reproduction
Information on how lavender is grown (planting and care in the Moscow region), photos and descriptions of the plant are needed in order to ensure proper care for it. One of the important points is reproduction. The fact is that the plant does not like transplants, and if youhad to resort to such a process, then you need to do it together with a huge lump of soil. This is done only if it is necessary to move the bush without fail. If you just want to propagate the plant, then there are several options:
- Dividing the bush. In the presence of an adult plant, it is necessary to pour the mother bush in the spring to separate the layering. Then, with the advent of autumn, they can be completely separated and planted in other places.
- The use of cuttings. Also in the spring, you need to cut the cuttings about ten centimeters long and place them in the ground under the film, creating the effect of a greenhouse. Regularly watering and airing, we wait for autumn, when the cuttings can already be planted in the chosen place in the flower bed.
- Using layering. With the arrival of spring, bend down the lavender shoot and sprinkle it with earth in one place. When autumn comes, roots will already grow in this place, and it can be separated and transplanted to a permanent place.
- Sowing seeds. This method can only be used by an experienced gardener. A couple of months before the intended planting, the seeds are placed in a container with sand, which is constantly moistened, and placed in a cool place. The temperature of the content should be from two degrees of heat to four degrees of frost. In early spring, seeds are sown in open ground. After planting, the soil is well trampled down and watered abundantly. But this method is only suitable for a mild climate, as in the suburbs. But in regions with a more severe climate, this breeding option is doomed to failure, and the seeds most likely will not sprout.
Modewatering
Don't forget about the specifics of watering that lavender requires. Planting and caring for this plant in the garden does not require much effort, but you need to know what this miracle of flora wants from you. Lavender should be watered only when the ground under the bush is completely dry. She prefers dry soil rather than waterlogging. If you notice that the leaves of the plant have begun to turn yellow, this means that you water it too often, and the root system has begun to rot. A very important factor in care is loosening the earth. Lavender needs air, so every time after watering or rain, you need to loosen the soil so that oxygen can freely get to the roots. To facilitate the work, you can apply mulching with peat or humus.
Utilization of fertilizers
It is impossible not to mention the use of fertilizers, discussing the topic "Lavender: planting and care." A photo of a plant during the flowering period suggests that such a luxurious look requires additional help in the form of top dressing. Of course, lavender can do without additional support, taking what is available from the ground, but if you want to see the flower in all its glory, then do not be too lazy to apply fertilizer with nitrogen in early spring. This will give the flower the strength to grow a lot of greenery. Further, fertilizers are applied only during the flowering period.
Shaping a bush
This procedure is optional. Even if you do not take part in the formation of the bush, it will still grow and bloom. If you want to have bushesbigger and fluffier you will need to resort to circumcision. To do this, first wait for the flowering period to end and all the flowers to dry. Before the cold period sets in, you need to cut each branch a couple of centimeters. Do not prune any more, otherwise the entire bush may die over the winter.
Possible problems
There are also difficulties in growing a flower like lavender. Planting and care in the Moscow region, reviews of gardeners about these processes - everything suggests that the flower takes root perfectly in this region and does not create any particular difficulties in care. It tolerates cold well and is rarely attacked by diseases or pests. But still there are times when the plant begins to suffer from some kind of ailment. In case of incorrect watering, rot attacks the lavender. The worst thing is that it cannot be cured, but you only need to destroy the flower, and quickly, until it infects nearby growing plants. All bushes affected by rot must be burned away from the flower bed. Also, lavender can attract insects such as the rainbow beetle. But it is rare and in small quantities, so it is easy to collect by hand.
How lavender prepares for winter
Planting and care in the suburbs of this plant includes preparation for the winter period. We have already said that the flower is resistant to frost. He can tolerate temperatures up to twenty-five degrees below zero, and this quality is very valuable for such beauty. But we still do not recommend taking risks, and recommendscover the bushes for the winter. Branches of coniferous trees will be an ideal shelter. They pass air well and do not allow snow to fill up the bushes. For this purpose, foliage that has fallen from trees or grapes is not suitable, since under them the flower will rot and, most likely, will die. If you live in a region with mild winters, you do not need to cover the bushes.
Plant Harmony
Sometimes people wonder what lavender pairs with. Planting and caring for this flower in the Moscow region often entails the need to plant another flower. This is done mainly for landscape design. Planting the plant along a border, path, or hedge allows it to be combined with flowers such as rose, hydrangea, or sage. Given the color scheme of lavender, it is recommended to use orange or red rose buds, and in the company of hydrangea, the flower will look perfect on an alpine hill. Lavender looks very beneficial in a flower pot. If you plant just one lavender in a large area, you can only enjoy the view of its beautiful purple bushes. It is with this purple carpet with a wonderful aroma that you can surprise your guests, and they will be able to see in all its glory how lavender can bloom. Planting and caring for this flower in the Moscow region is not too difficult.
Plant applications
As already mentioned, the flower has an incredible aroma, which makes it attractive in this particular area. Firstly, it is used to add to tea, drinks, spices for meat andvegetable dishes. Secondly, an excellent essential oil is made from lavender, and it is used both in cosmetology and in medicine. From a medical point of view, the flower has a calming effect, eliminates insomnia, relieves fatigue. For cosmetics, there are no limits to the use of this fragrance. We observe its presence in soaps, gels, perfumes, eau de toilette, fresheners and much more. This scent has won the hearts of both the female and male half of the world's population.
