National Garden Bureau named 2020 the Year of the Lavender

The National Garden Bureau has named 2020 the Year of the Lavender.

English lavender (Lavendula angustifolia) is the hardiest type and best suited to our Midwestern gardens. Native to the Mediterranean, it is a tough, drought-tolerant perennial ideal for rock gardens, herb gardens and well-drained perennial borders.

Depending on the variety, most English lavenders grow from 1 to 3 feet tall and 2 to 3 feet wide. Their silvery foliage is a beautiful backdrop for their spikes of lavender, purple, pink or white flowers. In addition to their attractive flowers and foliage, lavenders also share their intoxicating perfume when they are stroked.

Plant lavenders in full sun in very well-drained soil amended with lots of compost. The only time they require supplemental water during dry conditions is their first season in the garden. In subsequent years, plants are very drought tolerant. If the foliage of a lavender starts to yellow, lift the plant and improve the drainage before replanting or move it to another spot. English lavenders will not survive in wet soil.

Lavenders require little fertilizer. Bone meal sprinkled around plants in the fall gives roots a boost before winter. Side dress with compost or lightly apply an all-purpose fertilizer as new growth begins in spring if plants indicate the need.

Proper pruning of lavenders is essential. Lightly prune to shape plants, encourage branching, and remove dead stems as they begin to grow in spring. Deadhead spent blooms to promote continuing flowering. But put the pruners away in late summer and do not cut plants back before winter.

After the ground freezes in winter, cover English lavenders with a layer of loose mulch or evergreen boughs to protect roots and to reduce damage from drying winter winds.

Lavenders are beautiful used as edging or planted in groupings in perennial borders. Suitable companions include perennials with coarse, dark green foliage like black-eyed Susan, coneflowers and Shasta daisies. They are also lovely planted beside perennial geraniums. Offering summerlong bloom, lavenders are also ideal candidates for containers.

There are number of cultivars commonly found at garden centers. Big Time Blue has very large purple spikes of flowers and blooms earlier than other English lavenders. It grows up to 15 inches tall and wide.

Blue Cushion is similar in size, but the foliage stays a bit more compact. Deep blue flowers fade to light blue creating a lovely two-toned effect.

Hidcote and Munstead are two of the most popular and hardiest varieties. Hidcote sports deep purple flowers; Munstead boasts lavender-blue flowers.

Phenomenal is aptly named. Phenomenal in both size and performance, it grows more than 2 feet tall and wide. Long stems of purple flower spikes are elegantly presented from June to September. It also displays exceptional winter hardiness.

• Diana Stoll is a horticulturist, garden writer and speaker. She blogs at gardenwithdiana.com.