Spike lavender is a fragrant Mediterranean perennial herb that grows natively in Portugal, Spain, southern France and northern Italy. Lavandula latifolia also goes by the common names Portuguese lavender, aspic lavender and broadleaved lavender.
The evergreen is quick to establish and the shrubby silver-green stems grow to 30-60 cm in height. The pale purple flowers are the prize of the plant, used for aromatherapy as well as culinary and medicinal applications. Provide plenty of sun for your spike lavender and you will be rewarded with aromatic flowers from June to September.
The perfume of spike lavender is known to be stronger than that of English lavender due to higher levels of essential oils. The oil from spike lavender is used to relieve headaches and other pains, aid concentration and focus, make natural household cleaning solutions and even as a bug repellant. Spike lavender effectively repels harmful pests from the garden while inviting in beneficial species of bees, butterflies and hummingbirds.
- Latin Name: Lavandula latifolia
- Life Cycle: Perrenial
- Canada Hardiness Zone: 8-9
- Days to Maturity: 90-120
- Planting Depth: 3-4 mm
- Plant Spacing: 30-45 cm
- Growth Habit: 30-60 cm tall
GROWING INSTRUCTIONS
With an amazing fragrance and undeniable health, medicinal and cleaning properties, the popularity and prevalence of lavender in home gardens is understood easily. Lavender is not easy to start from seed, but the patient gardener will certainly be rewarded by its abundance of beautiful and aromatic flowers.
Start seeds in flats or separate pots 12 weeks before the last frost date. Seeds should be barely covered. A light sprinkling of soil will do. Some light exposure is required for germination. Plant them about 3 cm apart and mist well. Keep the growing medium moist, but not too wet. Temperature should remain at 21 degrees or higher. It may take seedlings a month to sprout. When they do, be sure they receive at least 8 hours of light per day.
When young lavender plants have their first set of true leaves, they can be transplanted into a bigger container. Wait until they reach a height of 8 cm and the last spring frost has passed before transplanting outside. Harden off the young lavender by gradually exposing them to the elements. Select a location that has well-drained soil and receives full sun. Plant lavender 30-60 cm apart.
During the first year of growth, water the plants well and prune off any flowers to redirect energy to the roots. Prepare lavender for cold weather by mulching around the base of the plant. By following these steps, your lavender bushes should thrive and produce beautiful blooms for years to come!
QUICK FACTS
- Lavender was used in ancient Egypt Over 2500 years ago.
- The name Lavender comes from the Latin verb, "lavare," which means to wash.
- Back in the Elizabethan times, when baths weren't common practice, lavender was used to perfume clothes and bed linen.
- Lavender seeds will remain viable for 5 years if stored in a cool, dark place, ideally between 4 and 10⁰C. After that, the germination rate may start to go down.
