No, these beautiful flowers that you see in this photo are not lavender. This plant is called Perovskia Atriplicifolia, commonly known as Russian Sage and occasionally Lavender of Afghanistan. Not only is its second name the same as our favorite flower, these two plants are part of the same family and look alike.
Does lavender go with sage?
Sage is another herb that thrives in conditions that lavender favors. No matter the variety, sage will thrive in hot climates, sandy, well-draining soil with little water or fuss. Sage grows best in Zones 5-11. Thyme, sage, and lavender make a great group for planting together, especially in pots or containers.
What does a flowering sage plant look like?
Common sage blooms in early summer. The camphor-scented, bluish-lavender to pink-lavender flowers are borne in whorls on short, upright flower spikes. Each flower has two lips. The flowers are attractive to bees and butterflies and occasionally to hummingbirds.
Is lavender a low maintenance plant?
Once established, lavender is very low-maintenance, but should be pruned annually. Plants that aren’t pruned have a tendency to get woody and sprawl, leaving a hole in the middle. In Zone 7 and colder, pruning should be done after flowering in the spring. In Zones 8 and above, prune back after summer flowering.
Are sage and lavender the same? – Related Questions
What are the disadvantages of lavender?
Lavender might cause sleepiness and slowed breathing. Some medications, called sedatives, can also cause sleepiness and slowed breathing. Taking lavender with sedative medications might cause breathing problems and/or too much sleepiness.
Where should I not plant lavender?
Because lavender loves full sun and dry conditions, it doesn’t do well with perennials or annuals that prefer shade. Plants such as some types of impatiens, hosta, camellias and fuschia are not as drought-resistant, so their need for water may drown out lavender.
Is lavender a good plant for beginners?
Not only is lavender popular for its beautiful appearance and calming aroma, it’s also super easy to grow, making it the perfect plant for beginners in the garden.
Does lavender like full sun or shade?
Lavenders demand full sun, although afternoon shade may be appreciated in the hottest climates. Plants are very drought resistant once established, but will flower better if not allowed to dry out.
Does lavender need a lot of water?
Immediately after planting the lavender, water the shrub well. To ensure that the roots develop well, keep the soil slightly moist for the first few days after planting. After that, however: Water it sparingly. Even in warm summer temperatures, Lavender needs to be watered only every few days.
How much care does a lavender plant need?
Given a sunny, well-drained site, lavenders will thrive in dry, poor soil and even self-seed. An annual top dressing of compost and occasional watering during very dry spells is welcome, but avoid overfeeding with high-nitrogen fertilizers or rich manures.
What is the secret to growing lavender?
What is the secret to growing lavender? Lavender needs full sun and good drainage. It is more likely to die from excess moisture than from cold in winter. A pot is an excellent way to provide drainage, though the plant will be more vulnerable to cold temperatures than it would be in the ground.
Do you cut back lavender every year?
An annual pruning is an important step for long-lasting lavender (Lavandula spp. and hybrids) plants. Without it they grow a large, lanky, woody base that can split open — it looks bad and shortens the plant’s lifespan.
Will lavender grow back every year?
If you have lavender plants that are hardy in your growing zone (see our Lavender 101 post for more information on this), it is likely that they will return year after year for a decade or two. But even the toughest perennials may still look quite grisly after their long winter dormancy.
Will lavender rebloom if you cut it back?
If it’s pruned lightly just after its first flowering, it will likely flower again in late summer. After this second flowering, a full pruning—typically in late August—will prepare it for winter and encourage more blooms in spring.
Should you cover lavender in winter?
Third, it is important to cover your Lavender plants (zone 5 and below) with winter protection. Being that Lavender is an evergreen shrub, these plants are susceptible to winter burn and have a hard time fighting the natural winter elements.
What is the best time to plant lavender?
When is the Best Time to Plant Lavender? The best time to plant Lavender is during the early spring during the months of April and May. This gives the plant time to establish so it can grow successfully during summer.
Does lavender grow better in pots or ground?
Pots naturally have more favorable drainage conditions then the soil in garden boarders, so they are a great way to grow lavenders, but in climates of higher rainfall or higher humidity the faster the drainage the better.
Does lavender spread quickly?
Lavender is a slow grower and may take one to three months to reach transplanting size. The greatest threat to lavender seeds and seedlings is fungus. Keep soil mix moist, but provide good air circulation to help reduce disease outbreaks.