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
--
John McGaw
[Knoxville, TN, USA]
http://johnmcgaw.com

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.

I'm in zone 5 and have lots of english lavender. It stays silvery
green but a little twiggy all winter. I've tried Lavandula stoechas
in pots, it has a nice sinus clearing smell and gorgeous flowers. It
might not be hardy in your area though. If you're interested in other
varieties, look at:

http://www.richters.com/

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
I llike lavender but didnt' get a great result and I'm in your zone
6
I swiched to blood rood and liatris I like the purple and white flower
s of the liatris and the blood root is a pretty white flower with a
yellow center really fills in all the spots and my asian lilies stick
up their plossems over it and it is a really nice mix adn I have some
iris and day lilies in the back you will need some kind of evergreen
to make it look nice in the winter with some mulch to protect the
bulbs just make sure the asians are the type tha tare harty your
zone most are though from 4-8 and a couple I have
are from 2-7 or 8
I have a good mix of colors and shapes
Stargazers which are lovely
trigridia which goes well with the liatris it is burple with orangeish
center and lepard spots in the center and pestals and staimons I'm
happy well just some ideas
oh most of these are fine in full to partial sun so half a day should
do'em just fine
good luck and post some pictures so we can see
Michelle