No garden is complete without lavender. Instantly recognisable, its beautiful perfume and eye-catching flowers instantly elevate any garden scheme.
Lavender is a relatively low-maintenance plant, even in a heatwave. Growing lavender should be at the top of the list for anyone looking for drought-tolerant plants. However, while it is tolerant of hotter temperatures, there are a few garden jobs you should do in July to ensure your lavender thrives rather than just survives.
‘With sensible watering and a little shade at the peak of the day, lavender will not just survive the heatwave – it’ll keep sending you fragrant flowers for weeks,’ says Julian Palphramand, Head of Plants at British Garden Centres.
1. Water regularly but be cautious of overwatering
The advice for what to do with lavender in July is very similar to what you should do with lavender in June, though additional steps are needed during a heatwave.
As a Mediterranean garden plant, lavender is surprisingly heat-tolerant, meaning it really comes into its own in July. ‘Lavender handles heat far better than most of us, but in a July heatwave, the real danger isn’t drought – it’s overwatering,’ says Julian. ‘To avoid this common garden watering mistake, think like a Mediterranean gardener: give it full sun, really good drainage, and only water when the soil is genuinely dry.’
Richard Barker, horticultural expert and commercial director of LBS Horticulture, advises checking the soil before watering. ‘Mature plants only need to be deeply watered when the soil feels dry a few inches below the surface.’ A moisture meter, like this from Amazon, can also prove invaluable in this (and helps keep your hands clean).
For newly planted lavenders, a more regular watering schedule is advised, but still take a cautious approach. ‘If a lavender has consistently wet soil, this can cause root rot, weak growth or the plant may produce fewer flowers,’ says Richard.
Heatwaves often throw off our usual watering schedule, making it harder to know how often to water your garden in hot weather. Taking a moment to check the soil, rather than just going on instinct, can be the difference between your lavender plant making it through or not. ‘In a heatwave, check the soil in the morning and water early or late, so the plant can take up water before the worst of the heat hits,’ advises Julian.
2. Avoid fertilising lavender in July
Once the temperature starts to climb, it’s important to put down the fertiliser.
‘Avoid feeding lavender in July, especially with standard nitrogen-rich fertilisers. Lavender grown in nitrogen-rich soil can produce up to 40% fewer blossoms than plants grown in poor, free-draining soil, so lean conditions are often better for blooms,’ says Jo McGarry from Caragh Nurseries.
3. Deadhead for second blooms
A pair of deadheading snips – like these from Amazon – is essential when it comes to caring for a lavender in July. While there are some plants you should never deadhead, lavender isn’t one of them.
Regularly deadheading lavender blooms can prolong the flowering period by focusing the plant’s energy into more flowers rather than seed production.
‘Do not wait until an entire flower stem has finished blooming, and instead, cut off spent flower stems as they begin to fade,’ says Richard Barker, horticultural expert and commercial director of LBS Horticulture. ‘Cut just above the first set of leaves, but avoid the woody part of the stem. Try not to deadhead every flower spike, as it is a valuable nectar-producing plant.’ After all, it is these nectar-rich blooms that make lavender one of the best plants to attract butterflies to a garden and a great plant for bees.
Deadheading is, of course, quite different from pruning and knowing the difference between deadheading and pruning is key. Deadheading is simply removing the blooms, while pruning lavender involves cutting the stems to encourage new growth. ‘Lavender should not be pruned aggressively in July, as it will not respond well if you cut back into the older, woody stems,’ says Richard.
4. Check pots daily
In July, especially during a heatwave, it is vital to keep your eyes on lavender plants grown in pots. Potted plants are more vulnerable to heatwaves than plants in the borders, so make sure you know how to spot the signs your plants are suffering from heat stress.
Water regularly – always checking the soil to avoid overwatering – and move the pot into a shadier spot. Adding a layer of mulch is a great way to help the soil retain moisture and mitigate the effects of the heat.
Our senior digital editor, Jenny McFarlane, swears by using RocketGro Magic Mulch, which you can pick up for £14.68 from Amazon.
If you follow these simple guidelines, you should be treated to gorgeous blooms and beautiful scent all summer long.
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