Our lavender has been winterized, and we've compiled our Lavender Hill test field and front of shed stats to reflect and plan for Spring 2023.
In Zone 7a, with limited snow and sub zero temperatures, there is not a lot to do to winterize lavender. The black weed cloth in winter months helps to heat up mounds during sunny days and insulate plants. We did add more pea gravel to the base to help to improve insulation and drainage.
Certain varieties in our test field may fair better than others in the winter. We did know that a few of these varieties could grow in our Zone but not necessarily thrive, but as mentioned in the previous July 4th weekend post, we wanted to test several varieties. Research for variety/type and cold tolerance:
Phenomenal Lavendula Intermedia: Exceptionally tolerant in cold weather
Grosso Lavendula Intermedia: Cold hardy and tolerates frost
Provence French Lavendula Intermedia: Cold hardy in our zone
Folgate English Lavendula Angustifolia: Cold hardy variety
Sachet English Lavendula Angustifolia: Cold hardy variety
Royal Velvet English Lavendula Angustifolia:Cold hardy up to -15 degrees
Hidcote Blue English Lavendula Angustifolia: Cold hardy up to -15 degrees
So what are stats to date? And how will this data affect our plan for the 1000+ plants in the Spring 2023? As of December 2nd, we have a total of 79 lavender plants in our test field, and 13 in front of our shed. Here's the data and percentages:
Due to shipping loss [all shipped except Phenomenal] and planting delays, 133 of 166 or 80% of total purchased were planted in July.
VARIETY | PLANTED TOTAL | %PLANTED |
Phenomenal | 46/46 | 100% |
Grosso | 20/24 | 83% |
Provence | 19/24 | 79% |
Folgate | 15/24 | 63% |
Sachet | 12/12 | 100% |
Royal Velvet | 12/12 | 100% |
Hidcote Blue | 9/24 | 38% |
TOTAL | 133/166 | 80% |
As of December 2nd, 92 or 69% planted [55% total purchased] are healthy and ready for winter.
VARIETY | NO. OF PLANTS TOTAL | %PLANTED %TOTAL |
Phenomenal | 38/46 | 83% | 83% |
Grosso | 20/24 | 100% | 83% |
Provence | 14/24 | 74% | 58% |
Folgate | 12/24 | 80% | 50% |
Sachet | 7/12 | 58% | 58% |
Royal Velvet | 1/12 | 8% | 8% |
Hidcote Blue | 0/24 | 0% | 0% |
TOTAL | 92/166 | 69% | 55% |
Our total stats at first glance seem disappointing. But it was a test field after all. And we did test varieties that didn't necessarily have the best survival rate for our heat and humidity. We also concluded that the drainage may have been compromised on the slope test field since we had difficulty post hole digging holes in our mounds despite tilling several times [drainage testing in failure holes seemed to support this speculation 66% of the time]. The front thirteen were significantly easier to till, mound, and post hole with much higher survival rate. So with data in hand, here's what we expect and have planned for next year.
For our 2023 Spring fields, we don't expect to loose 20% prior to planting since we will be planting in the Spring, and our fields [less rocky areas] will be prepped and ready for planting before plants arrive. We also will be acclimating plants for a few weeks in the shade with better weather conditions [temps/humidity] than the summer test. We will continue to treat with RootShield once acclimated to help prevent root rot [especially during the spring since our Zone 7a typically has several days of heavy rainfall]. And more importantly, we will improve our drainage by mixing 3/4" gravel throughout the soil of each hole instead of adding to the base.
Despite my love for true French and English varieties, we will plant 1000+ Lavandula Intermedias: 85% Phenomenal and 15% Grosso. Our top 2 varieties from our test at 83% of total survival, and expect to increase survival rate to 90% or more. Just know, we might test a few English Angustifolia varieties another year.
Phenomenal is the best variety for our zone due to it's heat, humidity and cold weather tolerance. Beautiful tall stems with purple blooms and gray-green foliage, and an excellent variety for fresh and dry bundles. Plants will be purchased and shipped from Peace Tree Farm in Kintnersville, PA who created and patented this variety.
Grosso also did well, and we love the shape of this variety as it grows. It's has deep lavender-purple flowers, and is a very fragrant high yielding variety. Used for dried bouquets, culinary and oil production. Plants will be purchased and shipped from Victor's Lavender in Sequim, WA.
Hoping for a mild winter with lots of sunshine. Happy Holidays!
note: Phenomenal and Grosso have significantly increased in size with Provence not far behind. Folgate, Sachet and Royal Velvet plants are smaller, and some may actually be a different variety since tags fell off during shipping. It appears now we may have more Sachet. Will update once our lavender blooms in the spring.
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