Grow Like a Pro no. 2: Lavender.

It’s been so long since we did one of these that a skeptic might think the ‘series’ had been forgotten. Shame on you skeptic; we don’t forget things, we were just giving you enough time to get your orchids into good shape. Now that they’re all green and budding and bursting from their pots it’s time to leave them be (they thrive on neglect, remember). Let’s turn our attention this week to one of my all time favourites; Lavender.

Lavender (‘Lavandula’ botanically) is one of Mint’s many cousins, and has 39 different species within its genus. By far the most common are Lavandula dentata (French/Italian Lavender) and Lavandula augustifolia (English Lavender); you rarely see any of the others growing around Sydney.

Popular with aromatherapists and naturopaths, Lavender’s medicinal potential is (extremely) old news; the ancient Greeks knew of its calming properties, and it was used extensively in hospitals during World War 1. Its flower spikes are incredibly versatile; they’re used in dried flower arrangements and potpourris, teas, baked goods, as cake decorations, even (apparently) as a substitute for confetti at weddings. Apiarists will tell you that the honey made by bees fed on Lavender nectar is some of the best in the world, and it sells for king’s ransom in Europe.

But forget all this – unless you’ve got a several-acre backyard you won’t be growing lavender for its skills. You’ll be after its outrageous good looks.

Lavender flowers like crazy almost all year round; soft purple spires rising from a mass of delicate grey foliage. It smells as good as it looks too, and it’s a sure-fire way to bring in the birds and bees (literally; this is a family blog).

So how do you grow it? There are really only two main things to consider; drainage and pruning.

Lavenders like a drink but their roots love to rot; if you’ve got even a trace of clay in your Lavender bed they’re done for. If planting them in the ground it’s best to dig down about 600-700 millimetres, then spread a layer of sand about 100 millimetres deep. Backfill the rest of the hole with really free-draining soil mix, loaded with organic matter. Four Seasons Nursery has all the sand and soil you’ll need, in bulk and in bags. We can also help you out if your garden bed is nothing but clay, with a variety of soil conditioners and a heap of smiley advice-giving staff to talk you through it.

Aside from moisture the only other way a Lavender will spoil is if it is left alone for too long. They are the polar opposites to orchids; they need attention, frequently, in the form of a stylish haircut. Trimming your Lavender by up to about a third of its size every few months will stop it from developing the gnarly wooden ‘trunks’ they get, and keep it a nice dense bush with scores of flowers. Once they go woody there’s no going back; they’ll never be as dense and there will never be as many flowers. It’s pretty much a write-off at this point, which is sad and expensive. So keep your shears sharp, clean and close, maybe under your pillow, so you never forget. Your Lavender will thank you and you’ll have a perfect excuse to get a new pillow every couple of weeks. How good are fresh pillows! Very good.

And that’s pretty much it. Keep them in your sunniest  spot, keep them well fed, and keep an eye out for the usual suspects; aphids, mealy bug and co (though Lavenders have pretty good pest-resistant levels). Plant them in groups of at least 5 for best effect; the more the merrier with Lavender. We at Four Seasons Nursery have scores of them for sale, in different sizes and cultivars. Come choose a few today!

Cheers,

Mike.

Don’t fight it, hide it!

There’s an old saying from Poland that, roughly translated, warns: “a guest sees more in an hour than the host in a year”. Now if you’re anything like me you would have zoned out after the words ‘old saying’, but seeing as it’s barbeque season this one might be worth paying attention to.

Let’s say it’s your turn to host this coming weekend. You’re famous for your skills with a set of tongs, and your partner’s a master at diffusing awkward silences. Everything’s going to be perfect; everyone’s going to be smiling, laughing, having the best time of their whole entire lives.

Pump your breaks my friend - before you go and order a ‘Host with the Most’ t-shirt with your face on it, maybe you should settle into one of the guest’s chairs and have a look around. Chances are you’ll see some things you normally wouldn’t have noticed; a mass of weeds bursting from a cracked paver, or a neglected courtyard corner filled with cobwebs and dog hair. These are the things the Polish of old were talking about, and these things will ruin everything.

We need to do something, but there’s no time for anything serious; it’s back to work tomorrow, and besides, your wallet is still recovering from Christmas. We need a quick fix, and a cost-effective one too.

We need a pot.

The art of hiding a tricky spot with a pot plant is one landscapers have been practicing for ever; it’s quick, easy, cheap, and if done properly looks fantastic. There are a couple of points you need to consider;

1. Size; make sure the pot will suit the spot, and that the plant you are sticking in it won’t be too small or grow to be too large.


2. Colour; look at the surrounding walls, floors and features, then work with what’s already there. Choosing a pot for ‘contrast’ is extremely difficult; far better to work with the existing theme.


3. Weight; especially important if you’re putting it on a balcony. We have many lightweight options for such situations.


4. Water; pots dry out. Fast. If it’s a sunny spot you should choose a drought-tolerant plant, and then spice up your potting mix with some water crystals.

The range of pots we have at Four Seasons Nursery is insane. All manner of size, shape and style is represented in our giant Pot Court, plus there are a whole host more available by order through our website - http://www.fourseasonsnursery.com.au/pots.html

We’ve also got a heap of potting mixes, water crystals, mulch and gravel in store, plus a whole host of pot-suitable plants to fit with any style of garden. Our staff are always more than happy to help you choose, plus we can deliver to anywhere in Sydney. Why not take a photo of your trouble-spot and bring it in? It saves time and ensures you’ll leave with the perfect pot.

Come see us anytime!

Cheers,

Mike.