English Lavender Growing Zones in Zone 5 and Beyond

English lavender is a popular choice for gardeners in cooler climates, and it's no wonder why. English lavender can thrive in zones 5 and beyond, making it a great option for gardeners in these regions.

In zone 5, English lavender typically blooms in mid-to-late summer, producing a stunning display of purple flowers. This is due to the cooler temperatures and well-drained soil that this zone provides.

English lavender is hardy in zones 5-8, meaning it can tolerate temperatures as low as -20°F (-29°C) in zone 5. This hardiness makes it an excellent choice for gardeners in these zones who want to add a fragrant and beautiful element to their gardens.

In zones 5 and beyond, English lavender requires minimal maintenance and can thrive with full sun and well-drained soil. This makes it a great option for gardeners who want a low-maintenance addition to their gardens.

Consider reading: Gardening Zones Canada

English Lavender is the perfect choice for northern growers, as it's hardy and resilient, tolerating long periods of drought.

In zones 3 and 4, you can grow English Lavender, but you'll need to provide added frost protection or create a microclimate area to keep it alive.

English Lavender varieties like 'Munstead' and 'Phenomenal' are great options for cold climates, and can be planted in a border with other varieties like Hidcote and Superblue to attract butterflies and bees.

Here are some key characteristics of English Lavender varieties suitable for cold zones:

These varieties can be planted in a well-drained site in full sun, and will thrive with proper care, including pruning and protecting from harsh winter winds.

Growing English Lavender in Zone 5 requires careful consideration of the plant's hardiness and specific needs.

Lavandula augustifolia, the common English lavender, is a great choice for zone 5 gardens, with varieties like Hidcote, Munstead, and Twickle Purple offering extreme hardiness.

These plants will even provide two separate blooms in most areas of zone 5, making them a lovely addition to any garden.

A different take: English Lavender Hardiness Zone

In exposed areas or cold pockets, some winter kill may be experienced with the lavandins, so choose a site carefully to ensure protection from chilly winds and low boggy areas.

To thrive in zone 5, English lavender needs full sun and well-drained, slightly acidic soil composed of a good portion of sand or rock.

Established plants are drought-tolerant, but all forms will perform and bloom best with average water.

Here are some hardy lavender varieties for zone 5:

And for those who want to try their hand at growing lavandins, Grosso, Provence, and Fred Boutin are excellent choices.

However, keep in mind that these plants may experience some winter kill in exposed areas or cold pockets.

To give your lavender plant the best chance of success, plant it in the spring so it has time to establish during the summer.

After flowering, prune the last year's growth back to encourage new growth and promote blooming the following season.

Harvest flowers when they are just opening in the morning to get the most oil content and scent.

Growing English Lavender in Cold Zones can be a bit tricky, but it's definitely doable. English Lavenders are the best type for northern growers, and they can overwinter in zones 5 through 8.

They can tolerate long periods of drought, but in zones 3 and 4, most growers rely on added frost protection or a microclimate area to keep these semi-woody shrubs alive. If you're growing in containers, you'll need a dwarf variety like 'Munstead', which is a compact and hardy option.

The optimal range for English lavender is zone 5 to 8, where the plant is native and will thrive. This is because English lavender can withstand temperatures of -20 degrees Fahrenheit (-29 C.), making it a great choice for cold regions.

Some hardy English lavender varieties for cold climates include Hidcote, Munstead, and Twickle Purple. These plants can provide two separate blooms in most areas of zone 5, and will attract butterflies and bees to your garden.

Expand your knowledge: Is Lavender a Hardy Plant

To grow English lavender in cold zones, choose a well-drained site in full sun and space the plants 36 inches apart. Prune back the season's new growth by 2/3rds of the stem length in winter, and cover the plants with straw or dry leaves to protect from drying winds and harsh weather.

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If you're growing English lavender, you'll want to choose a variety that's hardy enough for your zone. English lavenders and Lavandin hybrids are the most cold-friendly categories.

In zones 3 and 4, you can plant four varieties that will attract butterflies and bees while repelling varmints: Phenomenal, Munstead, Superblue, and Hidcote. Plant them in a border around your vegetable garden for a beautiful and functional addition.

English lavenders are a great choice for zones 3 and 4 because they're more cold-hardy than French varieties, which are only hardy to zone 7.

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Lavandula angustifolia is a great choice for gardeners in certain regions, like Prescott Valley, Arizona, where it can grow outdoors.

This plant is a hardy option, but it's not suitable for areas with deep freezes.

Hidcote is a hardy English lavender that grows well in zones 4 to 9, and can even thrive in zone 3 with reliable snow cover or winter protection.

It has beautiful silver-grey foliage and produces richly scented flowers that are more purple than blue. Hidcote is a shorter plant than Munstead, reaching only 12 inches in height.

Grow Hidcote from seed, cuttings, or purchase plant starts from your local nursery. Richter’s Herbs also carries seeds and plants for Hidcote Lavender.

Don't confuse Hidcote Lavender with Hidcote Giant Lavender, as they are different varieties. Hidcote is an English lavender, while Hidcote Giant is a lavandin (L. x intermedia).

The flower spikes on Hidcote are not long enough for weaving lavender wands, but you can still harvest the 6-inch branches for drying and use the blossoms for potpourri, tea, or flavoring sugar and salt.

On a similar theme: Hidcote English Lavender

English Lavender is the best type for northern growers, being hardy and resilient, with a divine fragrance.

It can overwinter in zones 5 through 8 and tolerate long periods of drought, but in zones 3 and 4, growers rely on added frost protection or a microclimate area to keep it alive.

You can grow English Lavender in a cold climate if you're strategic with your herbal tending, and it can even thrive in a container that comes inside during the winter.

In hardiness zones 3 and 4, the softer parts of the plant will partially die back and go dormant while the woody core remains, with proper protection, the herb will re-sprout and continue growing in the spring.

English Lavender can grow up to 3 feet tall and 4 feet wide, making it unsuitable for containers unless you choose a dwarf cultivar like 'Munstead', which is a great option.

Planting English Lavender in your garden will attract butterflies and bees, while repelling varmints that you don’t want feeding in your garden, making it a great addition to your vegetable garden border.

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Lavender thrives in full sun with good air circulation, so choose a well-drained site for your English lavender.

English lavender can grow in zones 3 and 4, where you can plant varieties like "Phenomenal", "Munstead", "Superblue", and "Hidcote" to attract butterflies and bees while repelling varmints.

To prepare the soil, till it to a depth of 6 to 8 inches and work in some finished compost and potash for flower growth and root development.

Plant your English lavender in pots in April, then transplant them when the danger of frost has passed, and space them 36 inches apart for "Phenomenal" varieties, 18 inches apart for "Munstead" and "Superblue", and 12 inches apart for "Hidcote".

In winter, prune back the new growth by 2/3rds of the stem length, and cover the plants with straw or dry leaves and burlap to protect from drying winds and harsh weather.

Don't overwater your English lavender, as it thrives in drier conditions and needs good drainage and air circulation.

Related reading: Munstead English Lavender Plant Care

If you're growing English lavender in cold climates, you're in luck because they're the most cold-friendly category.

English lavenders and Lavandin hybrids are the way to go if you're looking for varieties that can withstand deep freezes.

For zones 3 and 4, you can plant four varieties that will not only add beauty to your garden but also attract butterflies and bees while repelling unwanted critters.

Superblue is a patented English Lavender from Holland. It's hardy in zones 4 to 9 and can overwinter in zone 3 with protection. Superblue has deep violet-blue flowers with a compact mounding habit. It grows 10 to 24 inches in height.

If you're looking for varieties that can withstand deep freezes, you'll want to choose English lavender and Lavandin hybrids. These categories are the most cold-friendly.

If you're growing in zones 3 and 4, you're in luck - you can plant a variety of lavender that will attract butterflies and bees, while repelling varmints. Planting "Phenomenal" at the back of the border, with Munstead and Superblue in the middle and Hidcote at the front, is a great way to take advantage of the various heights from these fragrant plants.

English lavenders and Lavandin hybrids are more suitable for cold climates than French varieties, which are only hardy to zone 7.