Kew Red Lavender offers a captivating addition to any garden with its distinctive appearance and aromatic qualities. Gardeners often choose this variety for its unique charm and straightforward care. Understanding its specific needs ensures a flourishing display, enhancing outdoor spaces.
Understanding Kew Red Lavender
Kew Red Lavender (Lavandula stoechas ‘Kew Red’) is a Spanish lavender variety. It features plump, deep crimson-pink flower heads crowned with delicate pale pink to nearly white bracts that fade as they mature. The main flower spikes are ruby red or red-violet, contrasting with the gray-green, aromatic foliage. It emits a pleasant, piney fragrance, characteristic of Spanish lavenders, but its scent is not typically favored for culinary uses compared to English varieties.
This lavender forms a bushy mound, reaching 18 to 36 inches (45 to 91 cm) in both height and width. Its blooming period is long, often occurring from mid-late spring through late summer. In favorable, mild climates, flowering can peak in late spring and fall, potentially offering blooms nearly year-round.
Cultivating Kew Red Lavender
Successful cultivation of Kew Red Lavender depends on providing conditions that mimic its native Mediterranean environment. Attention to light, soil, and watering practices is important for the plant’s health and prolific flowering.
Light
Kew Red Lavender performs best in full sun, requiring a minimum of six to eight hours of direct sunlight daily. This ample light exposure is important for robust growth and vibrant blooms. While the plant can tolerate some partial shade, reduced light may result in less vigorous growth and fewer flowers.
Soil
The ideal soil for Kew Red Lavender is well-aerated and drains quickly, as the plant does not tolerate standing water. It thrives in dry to medium, poor, light, and sandy soil. A soil pH ranging from 6.0 to 7.5, from slightly acidic to neutral or alkaline, is suitable. Incorporating materials like sand or perlite can improve drainage in heavier soils, helping to prevent waterlogging.
Water
Once established, Kew Red Lavender exhibits good drought tolerance. Young plants require consistent watering, once or twice per week, to help their root systems develop. For mature plants, water every two to three weeks until flower buds appear, then increase to once or twice weekly until harvest. Water the root zone directly and avoid overhead watering.
Pruning
Regular pruning promotes vigorous flowering and helps maintain a compact, healthy plant shape. The best time to prune Kew Red Lavender is in spring, after the last frost, by trimming back about one-third of the growth. Deadheading spent blooms throughout the summer can encourage additional flowering flushes. Avoiding pruning in the fall prevents new, tender growth that could be damaged by winter cold.
Temperature and Climate
Kew Red Lavender is hardy in USDA Zones 7 through 9, and can tolerate Zones 5 through 11. It withstands low temperatures but is not fully hardy in deeply freezing conditions, potentially needing winter protection in colder regions. In areas with very cold winters, growing it in containers that can be moved indoors is a practical solution. This Spanish lavender is also suited for warmer, more humid climates.
Fertilization
Kew Red Lavender does not require fertilization, as it thrives in nutrient-poor soils. Excessive nutrients, particularly nitrogen, can stimulate leaf growth at the expense of blooms and may reduce the plant’s winter hardiness. If fertilization is desired, a single application of compost (about 2.5 cm thick) or a slow-release organic fertilizer in early spring is sufficient. For container-grown plants, a light feeding in early summer may also be beneficial.
Landscape Uses and Benefits
Kew Red Lavender offers versatility in garden design, enhancing various landscape styles. Its striking appearance makes it a popular choice for ornamental purposes. The plant is well-suited for mass plantings, creating vibrant borders, or as an accent in rock gardens and herb gardens.
This lavender variety attracts pollinators like bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. It performs well in containers and pots, making it suitable for patios, balconies, or smaller garden spaces where its fragrance can be enjoyed. Its aromatic foliage and unique flowers can also be used in dried arrangements.
Troubleshooting Common Challenges
While low-maintenance, Kew Red Lavender can encounter issues primarily related to improper watering and drainage. Root rot is a frequent problem, often caused by overwatering or soil that retains too much moisture. To avoid this, ensure the plant is in well-drained soil and containers have adequate drainage holes, preventing water from pooling around the roots. Allow the soil to dry out between waterings, especially for potted plants.
Mulching with gravel instead of organic materials can help keep the base of the plant dry and deter moisture-related issues. A healthy plant grown in suitable conditions is more resilient to pests. Providing proper care, particularly regarding drainage and light, is the most effective preventative measure against common problems.