‘Lavender Phenomenal’ is a popular, resilient lavender variety, known for its strong fragrance, robust growth, and attractive appearance. This hybrid thrives in various climates, including those with higher humidity and colder winters than many other lavender types. Its ease of care makes it a favored choice for gardeners.
Understanding Lavender Phenomenal Needs
Lavender Phenomenal plants require specific environmental conditions to flourish. Optimal growth and abundant flowering depend significantly on adequate sunlight exposure. Therefore, a planting location that receives at least six to eight hours of direct sunlight each day is necessary to promote dense foliage and prevent leggy growth.
The proper soil composition and drainage are paramount for this lavender’s health. It thrives in well-draining soil, ideally sandy or gravelly, with a slightly alkaline pH, generally between 6.5 and 7.5. Good drainage is essential to prevent root rot, a common issue for lavender, and heavy clay soils often require amendments like sand or grit to improve their structure.
Watering needs change with maturity. Newly planted lavender requires regular watering to establish its root system, often every two to three days for the first week, then gradually reducing frequency. Once established, ‘Phenomenal’ lavender becomes drought-tolerant and prefers drier conditions. Signs of overwatering, such as yellowing leaves or drooping flowers, indicate the plant is receiving too much moisture.
Planting Your Lavender Phenomenal
Prepare the planting site by ensuring excellent drainage, amending heavy clay soils with sand, gravel, or compost as needed. A slightly mounded bed can further improve drainage.
When planting, space ‘Phenomenal’ lavender plants approximately 24 to 36 inches apart to ensure sufficient air circulation and room for growth. Dig a hole that is twice the width of the root ball but no deeper than its height, ensuring the plant’s crown sits level with or just above the soil surface. After placing the plant, backfill the hole with soil and water thoroughly to settle the surrounding earth around the roots.
Ongoing Care and Pruning
Once established, ‘Phenomenal’ lavender is drought-tolerant and requires infrequent, deep watering, allowing the soil to dry completely between applications. Overwatering can lead to root rot.
Pruning is important for maintaining the health and shape of ‘Phenomenal’ lavender, promoting bushy growth and encouraging new blooms while preventing the plant from becoming overly woody. An initial prune can occur after the first flush of blooms, typically in mid-summer, by removing spent flower stalks and shaping the plant. A more substantial pruning, cutting back about one-third of the plant, can be done in late summer or early fall, at least six weeks before the first frost, or in early spring as new growth begins. It is important to avoid cutting too deeply into the old, woody stems, as these often do not regrow.
‘Lavender Phenomenal’ generally requires minimal, if any, fertilization, thriving in lean to moderately fertile soils. Over-fertilizing, especially with high-nitrogen products, can lead to excessive foliage growth at the expense of flowering. If soil is particularly poor, a light application of a low-nitrogen, slow-release fertilizer or compost in early spring can provide a minor boost.
This lavender cultivar exhibits notable winter hardiness, reliably performing in USDA Zones 5 through 9, and can even survive in Zone 4 with proper protection. In colder regions, ensuring excellent drainage and potentially applying a light layer of gravel or pine needle mulch around the base can provide additional protection, but heavy organic mulches should be avoided as they can retain too much moisture.
Addressing Common Challenges
Many common issues with ‘Phenomenal’ lavender stem from improper care. Yellowing leaves often signal overwatering or poor drainage, which can lead to root rot; ensure the soil dries between waterings and the site has adequate drainage. A lack of blooms typically results from insufficient sunlight, over-fertilization, or incorrect pruning; provide ample sun, avoid high-nitrogen fertilizers, and prune correctly. Leggy growth indicates inadequate light or infrequent pruning; regular pruning helps maintain a compact, bushy form. While generally pest and disease resistant, root rot is the primary concern, directly linked to excessive moisture.