General Home & Gardening Topics   Alstroemeria   Blooms of Bressingham   Delphinium   Lavendar   Penstemons   Main Care Sheets Page Lavender Planting & Care Lavender is the quintessential herb of English cottage gardens, where it has grown from time immemorial. The name originates from the Latin "lavandus," meaning "to be washed," since Roman bathers used Lavender oil to perfume their baths. EXPOSURE   Full sun is absolutely necessary for growing lavender. SOIL   A neutral to slightly alkaline, loose, fast draining soil is optimal and true "sandy loam" soil structure is ideal. For "heavy clay" soils, we recommend amending with Roger's Planting Mix. Dig a wide, deep hole reserving 1/3 to 1/2 of the soil. Mix with an ample mount of Roger's Planting Mix. WATERING AND FEEDING   Once established, some varieties are drought tolerant, however we recommend INFREQUENT, DEEP watering once a week during hot weather, once every 10-12 days in coldest weather.   Feed with Roger's Soil Activator once a month from March through early October. PRUNING   Prune any "old wood" stems back in spring to stimulate new growth. Snip back floppy and unruly branches during active growing season to keep plants shapely- and cut off spent blooms regularly.   Evergreen varieties such as L. dentata, multifida, pinnata and heterophylla may bloom nearly year-round and will need regular "dead-heading" to keep spent flowers off. Cut stem well below faded flowers, cutting off 2 or 3 sets of leaves to stimulate more blooming. WHEN PLANTS GET TOO LARGE   Many lavenders can spread to 6 feet wide. Once your plant reaches the fullness you desire, maintain it by pruning side branches down to where they originate. Those branches that now form the sides can be pruned in a tapered fashion to give a natural appearance. 8/98