re. speaking of lavenders

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Lavenders are a varied group, and its interesting to hear everyone's successes and failures with them in different regions.  Here in inland southern California, I've had good luck with Lavandula heterophylla in both semi-dry (with Toyon) and moderate (with roses) irrigation, although I've found it's best to reduce water when it gets really hot at the end of the summer.  I also have good luck with L. stoechas, which has even volunteered here and there, and L. multifida, which blooms continuously.  I'm trying L. dentata this year, which has been slow to establish, but as this is the lavender I see most often in commercial plantings, I figure it's probably indestructible.

I water the lavenders more then they need, but they don't seem to mind.  I've seen them growing in completely non-irrigated gardens, but they look quite subdued at this time of year.  As for pruning, I lightly trim them into a mound with hedge clippers, L. stoechas once a year in early summer, L. heterophylla once a year in early fall, and L. multifida whenever it looks more gray than purple.  This seems to keep them from falling open in the middle, at least most of the time.

-Ben Wiswall

Simi Valley, CA