We have trouble up here with hardiness of lavenders too as it's cold, wet conditions they hate more than anything. They do like well drained soil so the more grit the better I'd say!
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
The RHS rates most of the English lavenders at H4 (a couple H3-H4), which means hardy throughout the UK, but not where you live, Obelixx. maybe Munstead is H4 and a bit!
I mix grit / sharp sand 50:50 with my lavenders in pots, and give a similar ratio in the planting hole for the rest. I was amazed to find that all my pot grown blue/purple lavenders have survived last winter, despite the -10C we had on quite a few nights (except a silver leaved one called Sawyers and a pink flowered one - forget the name, though I knew both of these were not as hardy as the rest)
Hi Goldilocks, My Hidcotes and Edelweiss lavenders regularly come thorugh -20 to -25C but, as I said, they are in a very well drained spot and get whatever winter sun there is. The Munstead has also been sheltered and well drained but heavier soil with more clay so if I do plant replacements, theer'll be some grit and compost going into the mix. Lavenders are lovely plants to have and great for beneficial insects.
Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
"The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
Theyv'e been doing a rethink after tha hard winters of 2009 and 2010 and have come up with a system that includes the extremes of Britain's climates, some of which are similar to continental Europe.
Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
"The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
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We have trouble up here with hardiness of lavenders too as it's cold, wet conditions they hate more than anything. They do like well drained soil so the more grit the better I'd say!
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Bookertoo, why shouldn't it happen?
The RHS rates most of the English lavenders at H4 (a couple H3-H4), which means hardy throughout the UK, but not where you live, Obelixx. maybe Munstead is H4 and a bit!
I mix grit / sharp sand 50:50 with my lavenders in pots, and give a similar ratio in the planting hole for the rest. I was amazed to find that all my pot grown blue/purple lavenders have survived last winter, despite the -10C we had on quite a few nights (except a silver leaved one called Sawyers and a pink flowered one - forget the name, though I knew both of these were not as hardy as the rest)
Hi Goldilocks, My Hidcotes and Edelweiss lavenders regularly come thorugh -20 to -25C but, as I said, they are in a very well drained spot and get whatever winter sun there is. The Munstead has also been sheltered and well drained but heavier soil with more clay so if I do plant replacements, theer'll be some grit and compost going into the mix. Lavenders are lovely plants to have and great for beneficial insects.
I'm new to all this H thing! I live in Harrogate, North Yorks, so which number H am I?!
This should be helpful in explaining the RHS H1 to h4 ratings.
http://www.rhs.org.uk/Plants/RHS-Publications/Journals/The-Garden/Past-Issues/2011-issues/July/Plant-hardiness-guidance
For a better guide to hardiness in different areas of the UK, this alternative site might answer your question.
http://www.trebrown.com/hrdzone.html
Here is the updated RHS hardiness ratings info -
http://www.rhs.org.uk/Plants/Plant-trials-and-awards/pdf/2012_RHS-Hardiness-Rating
Theyv'e been doing a rethink after tha hard winters of 2009 and 2010 and have come up with a system that includes the extremes of Britain's climates, some of which are similar to continental Europe.
I have Imperial Gem too and think it beats both Munstead and Hidcote.