Help the development of the site, sharing the article with friends!
Lavender is one of the most popular garden plants in our domestic beds and borders. The fragrant subshrub originally comes from the coastal regions of the Mediterranean. There he is used to dry, warm climate conditions and is therefore also considered to be particularly easy to care for. But can you overwinter the Mediterranean plant with us without any problems? Which types of lavender are suitable for year-round outdoor cultivation and what should be considered when overwintering?
types of lavender
There are around 30 different types of lavender. But not every variety of lavender is hardy and can survive the winter unprotected in our latitudes. While real lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) is considered hardy, other species are somewhat sensitive to frost. These must either be very well protected in winter or, ideally, put them straight into the cold house in order to survive the cool temperatures unscathed.
True lavender, English lavender (Lavandula angustifolia)
- hardy
- frost-resistant down to -15 degrees
Spike lavender, Great spike (Lavandula latifolia)
- conditionally hardy
French lavender, Spanish or Arabian lavender (Lavandula stoechas)
- not hardy
Provence lavender (Lavandula intermedia)
- conditionally hardy
Fernleaf Lavender, Oregano Lavender (Lavandula multifidi)
- only frost-resistant down to -5 degrees
Lavender in the garden bed
hardiness
When buying a lavender, pay close attention to the designations given regarding frost hardiness or winter hardiness. It is easy to confuse the terms “winterproof” and “hardy”. These two terms do not in any way mean the same thing. Plants that survive temperatures below freezing for a short period of time are considered hardy. During longer periods of frost or severe frost, these plants freeze to death even if they are in a sheltered location.
Frost-hardy or hardy varieties, on the other hand, are largely insensitive to fluctuating temperatures and permanent frosts. However, the term hardy is no guarantee that the lavender will survive the winter unscathed. It's also important to know that hardiness and winter hardiness are not the same thing. While frost-hardy plants can survive long periods of low temperatures, they are sensitive to strong temperature fluctuations.
cold zones
Germany alone is divided into seven different cold zones. And not every winter is the same. The minimum temperatures and the duration of the frost periods can vary quite a bit. While almost all types of lavender, with the exception of French lavender, can be left outdoors undamaged in a wine-growing region, they will hardly survive the strongly changing temperatures and permanent frosts in coastal or mountainous regions.
frost in the garden
Bedding plants overwinter
Basically, only plant hardy varieties such as real lavender in the garden soil. If a few simple rules are observed, hardy lavender species can easily overwinter outdoors. The following varieties of Lavandula angustifolia have proven themselves for outdoor planting.
- Hidcote Blue
- Munstead
- Imperial Gem
- Miss Katherine
Protection against frost
Even hardy varieties of lavender are not indefinitely resistant to freezing temperatures. The subshrub does not particularly like permanent frosts. From -15 degrees, the plant needs additional protection.
- only in warm winter regions without protection (wine-growing regions)
- sheltered from the wind
- Cover the root area with straw, mulch or brushwood
- Time: early October
- cut back in September
- protect against waterlogging
- water: only on frost-free, dry days
- below -15 degrees additionally cover with straw mat or fleece
protection against the sun
However, lavender does not only have to be protected from frost. Rather, it is the combination of sunshine and frost that causes problems for the Mediterranean flowering shrub. In summer, lavender prefers a location that is as sunny as possible. However, this can be his undoing in winter. When the sun shines, the water in the leaves evaporates faster. During frosts, however, the plant cannot absorb new water through the roots so quickly. This means there is a risk that the lavender will dry up - even in winter.
Blooming lavender in the garden bed
- full sun locations: cover the plant with brushwood
- unprotected, sunny locations: cover with fleece
- alternatively, attach a sun screen next to the plant
In windy locations, the lavender may need extra protection. If there is snow on the plants, do not remove it, because the snow cover also protects against the sun and cold temperatures.
Hardy lavender varieties in pots
If Lavandula angustifolia is cultivated in a bucket, it can remain outdoors in winter. However, the Mediterranean plant needs a sheltered location that is as dry as possible and not too sunny for the cold season. Ideally, the bucket is simply moved. A protected house wall is ideal for this. It stores heat during the day and releases it again at night. In addition, the place offers protection from icy winds.
- Place bucket on insulating mat, styrofoam or wooden blocks
- Terracotta pots are particularly suitable
- bind excess moisture (protects the roots from frostbite)
- In case of heavy frosts, additionally insulate the pot with straw mats
Species sensitive to frost
If you decide on lavender varieties that are sensitive to frost, it is best to plant them in a bucket right away, with which the plants can then easily move to their winter quarters.
Snow in the garden area
Cold-sensitive species include:
- French lavender
- spike lavender
- Lavandin (Provence lavender)
Protection against frost
Bringing the lavender from the warm apartment at the first frost is the wrong decision. Depending on the season, it is too dark and too warm for the plants here. The aromatic plants are better kept in a cool but frost-free place.
- dry
- Frost free
- cool
- Temperatures between 5 and 10 degrees are ideal
- basement, cellar
- garage
- Glasshouse
- unheated conservatory
Lavender with its purple flowers
Hibernation error
One of the most common mistakes made when overwintering lavender is choosing the wrong type of lavender. Since not all varieties are sufficiently frost-resistant, a large number of plants do not survive the winter. Added to this is excessive watering. Make sure buckets and pots have adequate drainage. Watering may only be done if the ground is not frozen and the water can seep well into the ground.
- wrong type of lavender
- waterlogging
- too windy location
- lack of insulation in potted plants
- Hibernation in heated rooms
- strong temperature fluctuations