Growing Lavender in Britain

by Liz Reed, First published in "DIG Sig"

Lavender was first introduced to Britain by the Romans, who used it in their bath water. The word is derived from the Latin 'lava' to wash. Lavender grows in most parts of the British Isles where there is a well-drained alkaline soil and plenty of sunshine. A soil with a high potassium content will promote flowering, although too rich a soil will result in limp, over-leafed plants. It is quite a tricky plant to grow from seed as it takes a long time to germinate and tends not to be true to species. The best method of propagation is to take 'heel cuttings' in spring or autumn. Spring cuttings are usually the quickest to root.

Plants can be grown singly or planted 12-18ins apart to make a hedge, as a border for the flower or vegetable plot. Harvest the flowers just as they open and dry by hanging in small bunches. The leaves, which are also aromatic, can be picked at any time to use fresh, or before flowering to use dried. Cut the plants well back to leaf level, after flowering, to maintain compact bushes. It is not recommended to prune lavender in the spring.

The only killer disease for lavender is 'shab' which has been known to wipe out whole fields in southern England. Most of the modern hybrids are resistant to shab. Lavender is grown throughout the world with some of the best oil being distilled in England, Tasmania, France, China and Eastern Europe.

National Lavender Collection

Norfolk Lavender Limited at Heacham, houses the National Collection of Lavenders. Over 150 varieties are gathered to protect species and act as a living dictionary. Heacham's harvest traditionally starts around the 10th July. They have their own distillery and the fascinating distilling process can be viewed with guided tours from May to September.

Companion planting

Lavender's good companions are cabbage, marjoram, potatoes and thyme. Its bad companions are lettuce, parsley and rue.