Novice Gardener - Unhappy Lavender

Hello,

I am a beginner gardener who knows very little about caring for plants. We recently dug out an overgrown flower bed by our patio, mixed in some compost and planted lavender with the hope that it would one day grow big and cover the whole bed.

They've been in for a few weeks and they don't look very happy. I've been trying to water them the correct amount but feel like I'm probably getting it wrong. I have read that lavender doesn't need a lot of water but young/new plants need a bit more, so as it's been very hot I've been watering them most days. I'll usually dig down 2 or 3 inches to see how wet the soil is and if it's more or less dry I've watered them. We have a couple in pots that didn't fit in to the bed and they actually seem much healthier, greener leaves, less dry.

Any advice would be appreciated. Have I killed them? Or are they not beyond rescue yet? Here are some pictures:











This is one in a pot which seems healthier to me:

 

Kiss....stop the watering!!!

Lavendar needs as much sun as possible, as light a soil as possible and very little water. Dont feed either

I planted a lavendar hedge back in early spring....it was watered once and then not at all. Despite this heat and hardly a drop of rain, I will not be tempted to water it. It is flowering, looking healthy and thriving.

For me, your plants are showing classic signs of over watering

 

Hi,

Have also been planting a row of lavenders and they can be difficult to grow if you do not know their needs, so will be easing back on my watering as @Verdun mentions

Seems young plants can also be prone to various diseases which can kill them off quickly.

I was in need a of few replacements and found that The Range had some 6 packs of good looking Lavenders for about £5 in case you need to restock.

 

Thanks both for your replies. Right, I'll stop watering them and see if they perk up at all. Do you think they're beyond repair and I should just replace them now or might I expect to see an improvement? I might check out The Range thanks, I didn't even know they did plants!

 

They might perk up. We live and learn Kiss.

 

I didn't see any in the Range the other day but then again I wasn't looking For them. How big are they? I bought some plug plants in the spring but I was unable to keep them going. I wasn't going to worry until the Autumn or next spring but I now have a place I can use them until I'm ready to plant them permanently

G.

 

I am so glad I read this thread.

I also planted lavender a few weeks back in the hope they will fill a gap in the border. They were young plants, but healthy. As the weeks have gone by large parts of the plants have dried up and died. I water them as I water other plants, which is were I have gone wrong

I bought 3 new lavender today from the market for £1 each. I think I'll replace the 3 worst plants.

 

@Verdun should I replace all of these plants or just the three at the front?

 

Kazzawazza,
Dig up the front 3. Difficult to say from your picture, but space them 30 to 40 cm apart. Dont crowd them by planting too near overpowering plants.
Dont fuss over them, dont water, dont feed and if they are in the sun they should respond well

 

WATER WATER WATER OFTEN OFTEN OFTEN.....You will see the difference quickly....

 

Hello @Kiss_The_Alderman to the forum and nice to have you with us

I totally agree with @Verdun having 4 lavender plants from young which I used to keep in round balls...they thrive well without water and as you can see they're flowering.

Mine was only young like yours and turned this size in no time but the 3 on the back garden was removed and I still have the one on the front which I've left to grow wild under hubbies instructions but all these was small.

​

 

Thanks @Gail_68 , I can only dream of lavenders as fine as yours. One day maybe!

 

I found the lavender in the Range. 6 for £5.99. There were several in flower but most of the packs included at least one that was dead looking. I plumped for a different variety. It was smaller but very healthy looking.




When the time comes I will be using to plant a low hedge along the path. For now I have a pot that needs utilising and 6 plants that need a home.

G.

 

Oh no!!! I don't often post on here ....as need advice rather than have knowledge to impart....but learn lots - more overwatered lavender here I fear, I thought I was being kind. No more...

 

While I don't wish dead lavender on anybody I do feel a bit better knowing it's not only me who's done it.