Lavender is a fragrant and colourful perennial herb that is often used in gardens, landscaping, and for its essential oils. The blooming season for lavender varies depending on the specific variety and the climate it is grown in. In general, most lavender varieties will bloom in late spring to early summer, with some varieties blooming again in the fall.

Factors such as temperature, sunlight, and rainfall can also affect the blooming season. Understanding the blooming season of your specific lavender variety can help you plan your garden and ensure that you have blooms to enjoy throughout the growing season.

Contents

0.1 Lavender Varieties And Their Blooming Seasons

1 When Does Lavender Bloom?

Lavender Varieties And Their Blooming Seasons

There are many different varieties of lavender, each with its own unique blooming season. Here are a few examples:

English lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) is one of the most popular varieties and is known for its strong fragrance. It typically blooms in late spring to early summer.
French lavender (Lavandula stoechas) has a distinctive shape, with large, showy flowers and bracts. It typically blooms in late spring to early summer.
Spanish lavender (Lavandula stoechas) has similar characteristics to French lavender. It blooms later in the season, usually in summer.
Portuguese lavender (Lavandula latifolia) is known for its large, grey-green leaves and large, conical spikes of flowers. It typically blooms in late spring to early summer.
Lavandin (Lavandula x intermedia) is a hybrid of English and spike lavender. It typically blooms in late spring to early summer and again in the fall.

It’s important to note that the blooming time may vary depending on the region, climate, and the care provided. It’s always advisable to check with a local nursery or gardening expert to have a better idea about the blooming time of specific lavender varieties in your area.

When Does Lavender Bloom?

Lavender typically blooms in late spring to early summer. The exact blooming time can vary depending on the specific variety of lavender and the climate it is grown in. For example, English lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) and French lavender (Lavandula stoechas) are known to bloom in late spring to early summer, while Portuguese lavender (Lavandula latifolia) blooms in the same period. However, some varieties like Lavandin (Lavandula x intermedia) may bloom again in the fall. Factors such as temperature, sunlight, and rainfall can also affect the blooming season. It’s always advisable to check with a local nursery or gardening expert to have a better idea about the blooming time of specific lavender varieties in your area.

How Can I Keep My Lavender Blooming?

There are several ways to keep your lavender blooming:

Provide the right amount of sunlight: Most lavender varieties require full sun, at least six hours of direct sunlight per day. Placing them in a location that receives full sun will help promote blooming.
Proper pruning: Prune your lavender plants after blooming, cutting back the spent flowers and shaping the plant. This will encourage new growth and a second blooming in some varieties.
Fertilize: Use a fertilizer high in phosphorous in late winter or early spring to promote blooming.
Keep soil well-drained: Lavender prefers well-drained soil, so make sure the area you plant them in has good drainage.
Watering: Water your lavender regularly but avoid overwatering, as too much moisture can lead to root rot.
Deadheading: Removing spent flowers regularly will also encourage new blooms.
Avoiding pests and diseases: Regularly inspect your plants for pests or diseases, and take action if necessary.
Maintaining ideal temperature: Lavender prefers a Mediterranean climate, with warm days and cool nights. In places where the temperature falls below freezing, it’s best to bring potted lavender indoors or apply mulch to protect the roots.

It’s important to note that different varieties of lavender have different blooming seasons and different care requirements. It’s always best to consult with a local nursery or gardening expert to determine the best care for your specific lavender plants.

In What Month Do You Harvest Lavender?

The ideal time to harvest lavender depends on the variety and the intended use. For dried lavender flowers, it is best to harvest when the flowers are at peak bloom, usually when about two-thirds of the flowers on the stem have opened. This is typically in mid to late summer.

For culinary use, it is best to harvest the flowers just before they fully open, as they will have the most flavour and aroma at this stage. This is usually in late June to early July.

For essential oil production, it is best to harvest the flowers when they are in peak bloom, usually in mid to late summer. The ideal time of day to harvest is in the morning after the dew has dried but before the heat of the day.

It’s important to note that the best time to harvest may vary depending on the region, climate and growing condition of your lavender plants. It’s always advisable to check with a local nursery or gardening expert to have a better idea about the ideal harvesting time of specific lavender varieties in your area.

Extend the Flowering Time of Lavender

To extend the flowering time of lavender, there are a few things you can do:

Deadhead: Remove the spent flowers on a regular basis, this will encourage the plant to produce new blooms.
Proper pruning: Prune your lavender plants after the first blooming period, cutting back the spent flowers and shaping the plant. This will encourage new growth and a second blooming in some varieties.
Provide ideal growing conditions: Lavender prefers well-drained soil and full sun. Make sure to plant them in a location that receives at least six hours of direct sunlight per day and where the soil drains well.
Fertilize: Use a fertilizer high in phosphorous in late winter or early spring to promote blooming.
Watering: Water your lavender regularly but avoid overwatering, as too much moisture can lead to root rot.
Use specific varieties: Some varieties of lavender, like Lavandin (Lavandula x intermedia), are known to bloom twice a year, once in spring and again in fall.
Avoiding pests and diseases: Regularly inspect your plants for pests or diseases, and take action if necessary.

Long Flowering Lavender Varieties and Species

There are several varieties and species of lavender that are known for their long flowering period:

Lavandin (Lavandula x intermedia): is a hybrid of English and spike lavender. It typically blooms twice a year, once in spring and again in fall.
Lavandula angustifolia ‘Hidcote’: is a compact cultivar of English lavender, known for its deep purple flowers and long flowering period.
Lavandula angustifolia ‘Munstead’: is another cultivar of English lavender, known for its compact size, deep purple flowers and long flowering period.
Lavandula angustifolia ‘Royal Velvet’: is a cultivar of English lavender, known for its deep purple flowers, long flowering period and disease resistance.
Lavandula stoechas subsp. pedunculata: is a Spanish lavender subspecies known for its long flowering period and large, showy flowers.
Lavandula x intermedia ‘Grosso’: is a hybrid of English and spike lavender, known for its large, fragrant flowers and long flowering period.
Lavandula x intermedia ‘Provence’: is another hybrid of English and spike lavender, known for its long flowering period and large, fragrant flowers.

How Long Does a Lavender Plant Live?

Lavender is a perennial plant, which means it can live for several years. The lifespan of a lavender plant can vary depending on the variety and the conditions under which it is grown.

English lavender (Lavandula angustifolia), for example, is known to live for several years and can be considered a long-lived perennial.
French lavender (Lavandula stoechas) and Spanish lavender (Lavandula stoechas) have a similar lifespan.
Portuguese lavender (Lavandula latifolia) is known to be short-lived, with a lifespan of 2-3 years.
Lavandin (Lavandula x intermedia) can live up to 8-10 years.

Proper care and maintenance can help prolong the life of a lavender plant. This includes providing the right amount of sunlight, well-drained soil, proper pruning, and avoiding pests and diseases.

It’s important to note that lavender plants grown in containers may have a shorter lifespan than those planted in the ground. This is because they dry out faster than plants in the ground, and their roots may become pot-bound.

Should Lavender be Pruned?

Yes, lavender should be pruned to maintain its shape, promote healthy growth, and encourage blooming. Pruning also helps to prevent the plant from becoming too woody and overgrown.

It’s best to prune lavender after the first blooming period, usually in the late spring or early summer, cutting back the spent flowers and shaping the plant. This will encourage new growth and a second blooming in some varieties.

When pruning, it’s important to remove any dead, diseased, or damaged wood, as well as any wood that is thicker than a pencil. Cut back the main stem to about one-third of its original length, and remove any side shoots that are growing from the base of the plant.

It’s important to note that pruning may vary depending on the variety and the size of the plant. Some varieties, like English lavender, should be pruned more heavily than others, like Spanish lavender. It’s always best to consult with a local nursery or gardening expert to determine the best pruning method for your specific lavender plants.

It’s also important to note that pruning at the wrong time of the year (like before or after the blooming season) can reduce the blooming or even prevent the plant from blooming.

How Many Times a Year Does Lavender Bloom?

The blooming period of lavender varies depending on the specific variety and the climate it is grown in.

Most lavender varieties will bloom once a year, typically in late spring to early summer. During this time, the plant produces spikes of fragrant flowers in shades of purple, blue, pink, and white.

However, some varieties of lavender can bloom more than once a year, and these are called re-bloomers.

Lavandin (Lavandula x intermedia) is one of the best-known re-bloomer. It typically blooms twice a year, once in spring and again in fall.
Some cultivars of English lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) are also known to re-bloom, though it’s not as common as in Lavandin.
Spanish lavender (Lavandula stoechas) is not a re-bloomer; it blooms once a year.

Does Lavender Bloom All Summer?

Lavender typically blooms in late spring to early summer, with the peak blooming period lasting for several weeks. The exact duration of the blooming period can vary depending on the specific variety of lavender and the climate it is grown in.

Most lavender varieties will bloom once a year; during this period, the plant produces spikes of fragrant flowers in shades of purple, blue, pink, and white. However, the blooming period can be prolonged by deadheading, removing the spent flowers regularly, which will encourage new blooms.

It’s important to note that different varieties of lavender have different blooming seasons, and some may bloom for a shorter or longer period. It’s always best to consult with a local nursery or gardening expert to determine the best care and blooming duration for your specific lavender plants.

It’s also worth mentioning that although the blooming period is relatively short, a well-maintained lavender plant can provide fragrant foliage and an attractive appearance all summer long.

Conclusion

In conclusion, lavender is a fragrant and colourful perennial herb that is often used in gardens, landscaping, and for its essential oils. The blooming season for lavender varies depending on the specific variety and the climate it is grown in. In general, most lavender varieties will bloom in late spring to early summer, with the peak blooming period lasting for several weeks.

However, some varieties can bloom more than once a year, and these are called re-bloomers. Proper care and maintenance can help prolong the blooming period by deadheading, pruning, and providing ideal growing conditions. It’s always best to consult with a local nursery or gardening expert to determine the best care and blooming duration for your specific lavender plants.

When Does Lavender Bloom? [Blooming Seasons Explained]