Anyone who has at least once contemplated the beauty of lavender and inhaled an incomparable aroma will never be able to forget it. The plant is a recognized decoration of gardens around the world. About 47 species of lavender can be found in the wild in Australia, eastern and northern Africa, the Canary Islands, India, Arabia and southern Europe.
The endless fragrant fields of Provence have long become a symbol of the region. Lavender is an important raw material in the perfume industry. In the rest of Europe, with a cooler climate, it is grown as an ornamental plant. However, lavender can be grown not only in the south, but also in central Russia, if you make an effort. If you have such a desire, then there are several ways to fulfill it. Later in the article we will talk about how to propagate lavender by dividing the bush, seeds, cuttings and layering. Each of these methods has its advantages and disadvantages.
Brief description of the plant
Lavender is an evergreen decorative shrub. Its narrow leaves have a characteristic silver hue. Spikelets of flowers can be painted in lilac, purple, lilac, pink, blue or white. The name "lavender" unites a whole genus of plants from the family Iasnatkovye, which includes about 47 species. The plant has a branched, lignified, densely scruffy root that penetrates the soil to a depth of 4 m. The aerial part, as a rule, grows to 60-80 cm in height. The leaves are sessile, linear, located opposite, the edges are solid and slightly bent outward. Bisexual flowers are collected in a spike-shaped inflorescence, consisting of 4-11 whorls.
Cultured species
In order to learn how to propagate lavender (by seeds, cuttings, layering or dividing the bush) most effectively, you should find out the species of the selected plant. In culture, several species are most prevalent:
- Lavender narrow-leaved or English (pictured above). It is a perennial shrub with a fibrous root and numerous shoots up to 60 cm high. The leaves have a silver-green color and a gentle drooping. The inflorescence consists of whorls, each with 6-10 flowers. Seeds remain viable for many years if stored in a sealed container. In England, quite a few varieties are bred, including with white (Alba), lilac-pink (Rosea), purple-blue (Hidcote Blue) flowers. It is easiest to propagate narrow-leaved lavender by cuttings. How to do this, read further in the article.
- Lavender hybrid or Dutch. This species is widespread in gardens. The plant is powerful and strong, has silvery narrow leaves and large flowers collected in whorls on a long peduncle. The following varieties are distinguished depending on their color: Alba (white), Arabian Night (dark purple), Richard Gray (dark purple), Sawyers (light purple), Grosso (purple purple).
- Lavender broadleaf or French. The view is characterized by very beautiful colors that can be painted in different shades of lilac, purple, violet, burgundy, pink, white and even green. They have a thick and rich aroma, but not as exquisite as that of English lavender and its hybrids. The most famous varieties are: Willow Vale, Regal Splendour, Helmsdale, Rocky Road, Tiara.
- Toothed lavender (pictured above). A characteristic feature of the plant is carved leaves of a silver-green hue. This species is most resistant to cold compared to the previous ones. In the culture, the Royal Crown variety with flowers of a rich purple hue, as well as Regal Splendour, Willow Vale, is widespread.
Growing lavender from seeds
The seed method of propagating lavender is the most troublesome. However, in the absence of the ability to obtain cuttings, layering or delenka from an adult bush, it is the only one. Considering the question of how to propagate lavender seeds, you should pay attention to such a concept as stratification. The term refers to the long-term exposure of plant seeds at a certain temperature to accelerate their germination. When growing lavender by seed, stratification is an important preparatory stage. In nature, mature seeds that have fallen to the ground remain in the winter. They are covered by grass, fallen leaves and snow. Thus, until spring, they are in conditions of low temperature, in a wet state and with air access. This fact is important to remember for everyone who wants seeds propagated lavender in the country. You can use a fridge as an alternative to outdoor conditions.
Seed stratification
Lavender seeds are quite small, about 2.5 mm long. They are smooth, dark brown in color with a glossy sheen. For stratification, they are mixed with sand or with peat chips, moss or sawdust. Then the container with seeds is kept at a temperature of + 3-5 º. You can use the bottom shelf of the refrigerator, cellar or basement. Experts recommend the use of peat, as it has good breathability and the ability to retain moisture for a long time. The duration of stratification is 1.5-2 months.
You can propagate lavender as purchased seeds, as well as obtained at home. The method is preferred for rare species and varieties, but not hybrids. The latter in the second generation give a splitting of characters. As a result, plants obtained from seeds with a high degree of probability will not possess the qualities inherent in the mother bush.
Sowing seeds
Sowing seeds is best in dishes with low sides. Depth of landing - 3 mm. Seeds practically remain on the surface. In this regard, the use of sand for stratification is preferable, since it will be much easier to distribute its soil surface than peat. You can not mix the seeds with sand or peat, but just put them in a cotton napkin or bag and put them in the prepared soil mixture.
The optimal time for landing is the end of February and the beginning of March. Germination of seeds occurs in the light at a temperature of + 15-21 º, it is better to cover the container from above with glass, thereby ensuring greenhouse conditions. After the seedlings form 2-3 pairs of real leaves, they are planted in separate pots. The plant is buried to the cotyledon leaves. After the formation of 5-6 pairs of true leaves, the crown of the seedlings is pinched to stimulate tillering.
Some gardeners recommend the use of gibberelin (phytohormone), it is believed that when treating seeds with the drug it will be easier to propagate lavender at home.
As soon as it becomes warm and the threat of frost passes, in most of the country this happens in May, young bushes are planted in open ground.
Vegetative propagation methods
Vegetative methods of propagating lavender (cuttings and digging of layering) are much simpler. Facilitates the task and the fact that in almost all major garden centers seedlings are now sold. It is enough to buy one bush, and then use it to get new young specimens. In addition, the propagation of lavender by cuttings at home can sometimes be the only possible option for some plant species. This applies to those species that bloom, but do not form seeds, or from them the offspring is not always similar to the mother.
How to propagate lavender cuttings at home?
For cuttings, choose only strong and healthy plants. The timing of the procedure depends on the type of lavender. So, narrow-leaved can be cut in spring and autumn, and broad-leaved is best in early autumn, when many short shoots are formed. Cut the stems early in the morning when the plant is saturated with nightly moisture.
Use the middle part of the shoot. Apical cuttings perfectly take root, but do not winter well. Lignified shoots (lower part) are poorly rooted. Annual stems that have not yet bloomed are the best option. When propagating lavender cuttings at home, use a sharp and clean knife. The lower cut is done at the kidney itself to avoid further decay.
Cuttings cut into a length of 7 cm, from the bottom should be removed all the leaves. If you have to use flowering shoots, then the flowers also need to be removed. For successful rooting, use special drugs that stimulate root growth (cornerost, heteroauxin, rootin, etc.). Dip the tip of the stem into powder and place it in a pre-prepared mixture (clean sand or with added peat in a ratio of 1: 1). From above, the container can be closed with a “cap” from a plastic bottle or foil. As the soil dries, the cuttings are watered.
The rate of root formation is highly dependent on temperature. In order to propagate lavender cuttings as quickly and efficiently as possible, certain conditions must be created. The air temperature should be slightly lower than the temperature of the soil. If everything is the other way around, the main forces of the plant will go to the development of the terrestrial part, and the growth of the roots will slow down. Rooting cuttings takes an average of four to five weeks. After that, young plants are transplanted into separate pots or nurseries, and next spring they are determined in a permanent place.
How to propagate lavender from the bush by layering?
The essence of this method of vegetative propagation is that the shoot or branch is not separated from the mother plant until it is thoroughly rooted. The procedure is simple, effective, but takes time. In the spring, 2-3 shoots are bent off at the lavender bush and gently stacked in a groove 3-5 cm deep, then they are pinned and covered with soil. It is best to use good compost or humus. During the summer, the soil in this place is maintained in a constantly moistened state. As a rule, when lavender propagates by layering in a year (next spring), a new bush may already exist independently and is separated from the mother plant.
Reproduction by dividing the bush
It will take about a year to get young plants from the mother bush by dividing it. In the fall, plant shoots are shortened to 8-10 cm and spud with earth. In this case, the space between the stems must be carefully filled. In the spring, after the snow melts, the bush is again sprinkled. During the summer, numerous shoots develop, which are perfectly rooted. In the fall, the mother bush is dug up and divided.
Now you know how to propagate lavender not only by seeds, but also by vegetative methods. Each of them is good in a certain sense. When choosing reproduction by layering, cuttings or dividing the bush, you should take into account the climatic features of your region.
The right place to land
The key to successful growing lavender in the garden is choosing the right place to plant it. Preference should be given to open and well-lit sunny areas. The bush will grow in the shade, but this will lose its decorative effect (flowering will be short-term and not plentiful).
Lavender roots are sensitive to excess moisture in the soil. It is worthwhile to refrain from planting plants in swampy areas, poorly ventilated areas, as well as in places where groundwater passes high. A slight excess of moisture in the soil can be eliminated with the help of a drainage layer, the construction of hills (ridges).
Choosing the soil for the plant
It doesn’t matter how lavender is propagated (by seeds, cuttings or cuttings), in any case, young plants require high-quality soil in structure and composition. It is best if it is a sandy soil with a pH in the range of 6.5-8. If you doubt the quality of the soil, it will not be superfluous to add lime or wood ash to it before planting. They are effective deoxidants. In order to make the soil light and let water and air pass, regularly compost on the bed with lavender.
The plant does not respond well to transplantation; therefore, it is recommended to choose a permanent place immediately.
Basic care rules
Lavender does not like excess moisture. However, in an arid and very hot summer, it must be abundantly watered. In the climatic conditions of central Russia, a shrub for the winter will need reliable shelter. For this purpose, pine needles or spruce branches can be used. If frost does damage the aboveground part, it should be cut off. As a rule, the plant is restored during the season. It is important not to overdo it, you can not cut the shoots too much, to stiffened stems, otherwise lavender will die.
The use of lavender in garden design
With knowledge on how to propagate lavender at no extra cost, you can create a small corner of Provence in your garden in just a couple of years. The plant will look harmoniously near terraces, along paths or in the form of bright spots on the lawn.
Remember that the beauty of lavender flowers with a deep blue or purple hue is best emphasized by the "partners" with yellow flowers. In the garden, various varieties of fragrant santolina with spherical yellow flowers are considered her traditional partner in the garden. It is also popularly known as "cotton lavender." In addition, in the neighbor to the fragrant plant, you can choose roses, as well as shrubs and shrubs that prefer dry soils.
If the climate in your area does not allow you to grow lavender in the open ground, try cultivating it like a pot plant. In the summer, the pots with bushes can be taken out onto the terrace or patio, and in the winter they can be cleaned into the house.
Collect fragrant lavender flowers immediately after they are fully opened. At this time, their smell and color are most intense. Lavender is dried in a well-ventilated and shaded area.