On Thu, 18 Mar 2004 10:47:16 -0500, "John McGaw"
wrote:

I've got a new bed to fill between the front of my porch and a newly-laid
sidewalk. I've already decided against typical shrubs and am going to put in
perennials. The tallest plants will be a mixture of oriental lillys simply
because I like how they look and smell. The problem comes in deciding what
to plant with them to screen their bases. Lavender came to mind but I
realized that I know basically nothing about it. If you can help: does
lavender die back in winter? how closely can it be planted to allow for
growth and still present a solid appearance? recommended variety for lower
growth (18"-24") and good fragrance?

I guess that my USDA zone would be somewhere between 6-7 -- not really sure
that it matters in this case. The area in question receives at least 1/2 day
of sun but no more because there are so many tall trees on the property.

TIA

Lavender looks a little twiggy in the winter months, but stays green
longer than most plants. There are hundreds of varieties. I have
"True Lavender" which I raised from a packet of Burpee seeds. They
take a long time to germinate and require sun to sprout. Space plants
8-12" apart. They flower in summer, grow rapidly, then splay and fall
over. That's when I severely trim them back to a mound shape. They
like full sun, alkaline soil, no fertilizer, and kept on the dry side.
I got many compliments on my lavender plants (near the front door),
nice fragrance too. I have them growing next to a concrete slab which
helps neutralize any acidity. I'm in zone 7.