I'm going to buy a few lavander plants to put in big pots in my front
(North facing) garden in Brixton. What sort of compost should I put
them in? On the one hand, I want to be nice to them. but on the other,
I associate them with pretty rough garrigue landscapes.

What's more, they'll have to surive several weeks in August without me
there to water them.

Lazarus

Lazarus Cooke wrote:
I'm going to buy a few lavander plants to put in big pots in my front
(North facing) garden in Brixton. What sort of compost should I put
them in? On the one hand, I want to be nice to them. but on the other,
I associate them with pretty rough garrigue landscapes.

What's more, they'll have to surive several weeks in August without me
there to water them.


Your compost should be free-draining, and preferably poor in nutrients. If
you have any old soil, mix it with some grit (about 2:1), and plant in that.
As to watering, they will survive a week or two without water (and should
recover when watered), but several weeks in August is pushing it a bit! You
could always add some water-retaining granules to the soil, but don't overdo
it - a half or third the amount recommended for hanging baskets will do.

However, your lavenders will not thank you for being in a north-facing site.
Remember they are plants of open habit from southern Europe - they are
adapted to hot Mediterranean-climate sun all day. Without that, they will
tend to grow tall and spindly.


--
Jeff
(cut "thetape" to reply)

Jeff Layman wrote:

However, your lavenders will not thank you for being in a north-facing site.
Remember they are plants of open habit from southern Europe - they are
adapted to hot Mediterranean-climate sun all day. Without that, they will
tend to grow tall and spindly.

When should one cut back and by how much?

In article , Jeff Layman
wrote:

As to watering, they will survive a week or two without water (and should
recover when watered), but several weeks in August is pushing it a bit!

My bay tree and sage have had to put up with the whole month of August
with no-one but god to wate3r their pots for many years. Both looking
fine still!

But last year three lavenders (admittedly in their first few months)
kicked the bucket under this treatment.

Many thanks for your help.

Lazarus

Saxman wrote:
Jeff Layman wrote:

However, your lavenders will not thank you for being in a
north-facing site. Remember they are plants of open habit from
southern Europe - they are adapted to hot Mediterranean-climate sun
all day. Without that, they will tend to grow tall and spindly.

When should one cut back and by how much?

If you have to cut back a lot - you are too late! In general, it is best to
cut back in spring when the plants have started to grow. Lavender is pretty
tough, but if it is a metre high, and you cut back to 10 cm, it won't like
it. Back to 25 cm is better.

It is always best to have an insurance policy, too, so take some cuttings.
Lavender usually strikes very easily (there are some species that are very
difficult, but unless you are a Lavender specialist, you are unlikely to
have those), and will do so in an equal mix of compost and sand. Once you
have rooted cuttings, give some to some friends. At least that way if all
yours die, you can tap them for a cutting or two!

--
Jeff
(cut "thetape" to reply)