Content
- Is lavender hardy? Hardy varieties for the garden
- Winter hardy, winter hardy or frost hardy?
- The climate zone is important
- Hardy varieties for the garden
- Which types of lavender are not hardy?
- Winter hard lavender really overwinter
- Do not prune lavender too late
- Beware of frost and sun
- Tips & Tricks
Is lavender hardy? Hardy varieties for the garden
Many a gardener wonders in the spring, which is why the supposedly hardy lavender has not survived the last winter and is frozen. In fact, one can do a great deal wrong over the wintering of this rather less robust plant - even though the contrary is said in some guidebooks. The most common mistakes include a wrong variety selection, a wrong location, a lack of winter protection or too frequent / wrong casting. In very cold but sunny winters, the lavender runs the risk of drying up.
Winter hardy, winter hardy or frost hardy?
First of all, when buying young lavender plants, pay close attention to the terms given in terms of hardiness or hardiness. Many an ignorant employee of a garden center also confused the terms "hardy" and "winter proof" and means that they would designate the same thing. However, this is wrong, because winter-resistant varieties are hardly suitable for hibernation in the garden. Winters are also referred to as plants that only withstand temperatures below freezing for a very short period of time - they freeze over longer periods of frost, even if they are well protected. Instead, you should prefer hardy or frost hardy varieties, which are much less susceptible to stress caused by permafrost and fluctuating temperatures.
The climate zone is important
However, the divisions "hardy" and "frost hardy" are no guarantees that your plants survive the winter unscathed. After all, "winter" does not mean the same in every part of Germany. Germany is divided into a total of seven cold zones, although the lowest temperatures can be quite different. So if a lavender plant in grape-growing areas can be safely left outdoors, it will hardly survive in many parts of Bavaria or on the coast the low or strongly changing temperatures. In this context, it is important to know that hardiness and hardiness also do not mean the same thing. Frost hardy plants survive even longer periods with lows quite well, but hardly fluctuating climates.
Hardy varieties for the garden
This is especially true for the hardy lavender, which may tolerate even lower temperatures, strong fluctuating but difficult. Lavender is used to a Mediterranean climate that contains more or less consistent climates than the drastic temperature drops and weather changes typical of parts of Germany. Therefore, you should also pay attention to a good insulation in winter hardy lavender to protect the plants. As hardy - and thus suitable for planting in the local garden - only the varieties of real lavender apply. This comes from mountainous areas between 600 and 1600 meters altitude and is therefore more robust. The following varieties have proven themselves in German gardens:
However, this lavender should be protected in winter on a protected, d. H. not draughty site, because the plants can not handle (strong) wind.
Which types of lavender are not hardy?
All other types of lavender are not hardy, although the Speiklavendel and the lavender at least partially as winter proof. However, these plants should winter better in a Kalthaus, as well as the winter hardy and winter-proof Schopflavendel. Also not suitable for hibernation in the open air are the wool lavender and the fern-leaved lavender.
Winter hard lavender really overwinter
From autumn - ergo in September / October - you should cover planted lavender with brushwood or foliage if possible. Also suitable are special insulating cold protection mats such as coconut or nonwoven mats. This is especially true for the more sensitive young plants, perennial lavender are more robust in this regard. The cover not only protects the plants from the cold, but also from too much moisture - even in winter, waterlogging for lavender is deadly. Therefore, you should only water if the ground is not frozen and the water can drain accordingly. If the lavender is covered with snow, you should not remove it - the snow cover protects plants from the cold.
Do not prune lavender too late
For many garden plants, autumnal pruning is a preparation for winter, not lavender. This may be trimmed for the last time at the latest in early August, as the withered stems provide a natural cold protection for the winter. In addition, a later cut robs the plant of unnecessary force, as many varieties start to bloom again afterwards.
Beware of frost and sun
Even the sun can be dangerous to the sun-hungry lavender in winter. Especially at temperatures around the freezing point, the moisture of leaves and soil evaporates faster on sunny days than the plant can absorb the water. In this case, the plant threatens to dry out, so you should check it regularly for signs and act accordingly. Even lavender does not like lavender and then needs good protection from plant mats - especially when there is no snow.
Tips & Tricks
Bucket lavender is always more susceptible than planted lavender, which is why rules apply to this one. If the pots are to be left outside (and possibly only brought back for a short time), you can wrap them with protective mats and cover the lavender with brushwood yourself.
IJA