Choosing & Growing Lavender in Colorado
Choosing and Growing Lavender
Lavender and Salvia May Night together with some of my roses
"I have struggled to grow lavender in my flower garden. I’ve tried different kinds with no luck. Not only will they not flower, they usually don’t survive the summer.
I love lavender and really want to grow it! Are there varieties that grow better in my area? How do I help them thrive??"
Brooke | Colorado | Zone 6
Note: This post is a response to a reader question from my Substack community. Join us there for gardening and so much more!
Brooke, this is a great question! Lavender is a fabulous plant that is gorgeous in a garden, and beloved by bees. It's also a great choice at dry elevations here in Colorado. As a Mediterranean plant, Lavender evolved liking dry, sandy soil and lots and lots of sunshine. We have a lot of sunshine here in Colorado, but we have heavy clay soils. So it can take a bit of work to get Lavender to thrive. That said, it's totally worth it!
The ancient Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans loved Lavender as much as we do, adding it to their baths and using it in creams and infused oils for skin care. They weren't the first to discover Lavender's cosmetic and medicinal properties. It has been used for millennia from the Mediterranean region across Asia where it has been dried and oils have been extracted for a wide range of uses.
My Tips for Growing Lavender
Choose the right variety for your climate and location.
Choose the right Location.
Prepare the soil.
Don't overwater!
Choosing the Right Varieties
Lavenders are divided into four primary groups:
Lavandula angustifolia (English Lavenders)
English lavenders are the hardiest and do best in colder climates. They are also raised for their oils commercially. They are often smaller which may give them an advantage over the cold.
Lavandula x. intermedia/Lavandins (Hybrids)
These hybrids are newer crosses and have often been bred to grow in common garden soils. But they are not as cold hardy as English Lavenders, in general.
Lavandula stoechas (Spanish Lavenders)
Spanish lavenders bloom earlier in the season which is a disadvantage in climates that have late frosts (like Colorado) as the buds can be frozen in a late storm.
Lavandula dentata (French Lavender )
French lavenders can be the tallest and biggest of the lavender plants – up to 3 feet tall! They bloom the longest and have serrated leaves.
For varieties that thrive in Colorado, English Lavenders tend to do best with our wild weather changes. Personally, I have several Phenomenal® Lavender (Lavandula x intermedia Phenomenal® PP#24193) in with some of my roses, and they are, indeed, phenomenal!
I know that local flower farmer, Blossom and Branch Farm, also grows Phenomenal on a much larger scale. And I often look to flower farmers for variety recommendations because they have to grow plants at a large scale with as little work as possible. She Grows Flowers is another local flower farmer, and she grows lavender for a range of purposes including harvesting oils. Her fields include Edelweiss Lavender (Lavandula x intermedia 'Edelweiss') and Royal Velvet English Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia 'Royal Velvet') amongst others.
I will be honest: having grown lavender in California as well as here in Colorado, I often see lavenders for sale in garden centers that will not last the winters. They are being treated as annuals – put them in a pot for the season and then toss them. But as a slow-growing perennial that is majestic in the right place in a garden, you can do so much better.
If you can't find any of these recommended lavenders at your local garden center, you may do better to order specific varieties. I have linked to High Country Gardens. They partnered with me on my Wildlife Garden, but I have such good luck with their plants, and I never hesitate to recommend them as a source.
Choose the Right Location
Full Sun: Lavender plants need at least 6 hours of full sun. And honestly, they can't have too much sun! So put them in a good sunny spot. I have some planted in with roses that also like the same soil and watering conditions.
Prepare the Soil
Well-draining Soil: this is critical! Lavender hates "wet feet" and the heavy, clay soils of Colorado can be problematic as they don't drain as well (by design). So amending your soil may be the answer if you have heavy clay soil.
Prepare your planting site by working small bark chips into the soil to improve drainage in a hole about 12" deep and 12" wide. The bark will create air pockets and will help to drain water away from the roots of the plant in a timely manner. Plant each plant in a mound so that water drains down and away and doesn't pool around the plant. And mulching around your plants with gravel can also help.
Don't Over-Water
As for watering: avoid over-watering. Plant away from sprinklers and irrigation systems. Overwatering is the biggest issue for Lavender plants! For the first few months after planting, water 1-2 times per week. But then cut back to every 2-3 weeks. Here in Colorado, because of our low humidity, watering from overhead is just fine, but if you live in a more humid climate, only water at the roots.
I hope this helps, Brooke! Let us know how it goes this spring!
Happy Gardening!
Angela