These later blooming lavender flowers typically begin flowering in July and can continue into August and even early September, depending on the climate and care.
Lavender (Lavandula) is celebrated for its soothing fragrance, beautiful flower spikes, and its many uses in gardens, landscaping, and home products. While some lavender varieties begin their blooming season in the spring, mid to late summer blooming lavenders offer an extended display of color and fragrance, making them essential for gardeners who want to enjoy lavender well into the warm months.
Lavender species and cultivars bloom at different times depending on their type, climate, and growing conditions. While early blooming lavenders bring the first signs of life to the garden in spring, mid to late summer blooming lavenders continue the floral display, ensuring the garden remains lively during the warmer months. These later blooming lavenders typically begin flowering in July and can continue into August and even early September, depending on the climate and care.
Lavandin is a hybrid variety resulting from the crossbreeding of English lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) and Portuguese lavender (Lavandula latifolia). It is known for its vigorous growth, taller flower spikes, and abundant blooms. Lavandin is a popular choice for mid to late summer flowering because of its extended bloom time and the size of its flowers.
Although French lavender is known for its early spring blooms, it also continues to flower intermittently throughout the summer, especially in warmer climates. In regions with mild winters, French lavender can bloom nearly year-round, making it a great option for gardeners looking for continuous color.
| Hardiness |
5 - 11 |
|---|---|
| Heat Zones |
5 - 8 |
| Climate Zones | 2, 2A, 2B, 3, 3A, 3B, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24 |
| Plant Type | Perennials, Shrubs |
| Plant Family | Lamiaceae |
| Genus | Lavandula |
| Exposure | Full Sun |
| Season of Interest | Summer (Mid, Late) |
| Soil Type | Chalk, Loam, Sand |
| Soil pH | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral |
| Soil Drainage | Well-Drained |
| Characteristics | Dried Arrangements, Cut Flowers, Fragrant, Showy, Evergreen |
| Tolerance | Drought, Deer, Rabbit, Dry Soil, Rocky Soil |
| Attracts | Bees, Butterflies |
| Landscaping Ideas | Beds And Borders, Hedges And Screens, Edging, Patio And Containers |
| Garden Styles | City and Courtyard, Coastal Garden, Gravel and Rock Garden, Informal and Cottage, Mediterranean Garden, Traditional Garden |
For gardeners who want to maximize the blooms of mid to late summer lavenders, it’s important to consider the right growing conditions, care, and maintenance. Here are some essential tips for ensuring your lavender thrives throughout the summer months:
Lavender requires full sun to thrive, so it’s essential to choose a location in your garden that receives at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight per day. Lavender also prefers well-drained soil, so avoid planting it in low-lying areas where water might collect. For gardeners in wetter climates, planting lavender in raised beds or containers can help improve drainage.
Although lavender is drought-tolerant, newly planted lavender requires regular watering until it is established. Once established, lavender prefers dry conditions and only needs occasional watering during prolonged dry spells. Overwatering can lead to root rot, so it’s essential to let the soil dry out between watering sessions.
Pruning lavender after it has finished blooming encourages new growth and helps maintain the plant’s shape. After the flowers have faded, trim the plant back by about one-third, making sure not to cut into the woody stems. This promotes bushier growth and may lead to a second flush of flowers later in the season.
Lavender prefers slightly alkaline soil, so if your soil is too acidic, consider adding lime to raise the pH level. Additionally, lavender grows best in sandy or gravelly soil, which provides excellent drainage. If you’re planting lavender in heavier clay soils, amend the soil with sand or grit to improve its drainage.
Lavender doesn’t require heavy fertilization, but adding a light layer of compost in the spring can help improve soil fertility and encourage healthy growth. Avoid using nitrogen-heavy fertilizers, as they can lead to excessive foliage growth at the expense of flowers.
Planting mid to late summer blooming lavenders offers several benefits beyond their beauty and fragrance. These lavenders:
Extend the Blooming Season: By choosing mid to late summer blooming varieties, you can enjoy lavender flowers well after early bloomers like Spanish lavender or French lavender and mid-season bloomers like English lavender have faded, ensuring your garden remains colorful and fragrant for a longer period.
Attract Pollinators: Lavender is a magnet for bees, butterflies, and other pollinators. By planting lavender that blooms in mid to late summer, you’ll provide a valuable food source for these beneficial insects during the warmer months when other flowers may not be as abundant.
Provide Year-Round Interest: Even after the flowers have faded, lavender plants offer attractive foliage and structure to the garden. Their gray-green leaves provide contrast to other plants, and their bushy, compact form adds texture to the landscape.
Versatility: Mid to late summer blooming lavenders are versatile plants that can be used in a variety of garden settings. Whether you’re planting them in a cottage garden, a Mediterranean-style landscape, or using them to create a fragrant border, lavender adds charm and elegance to any garden design.
lsantilli / 123RF Stock Photo
| Hardiness |
5 - 11 |
|---|---|
| Heat Zones |
5 - 8 |
| Climate Zones | 2, 2A, 2B, 3, 3A, 3B, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24 |
| Plant Type | Perennials, Shrubs |
| Plant Family | Lamiaceae |
| Genus | Lavandula |
| Exposure | Full Sun |
| Season of Interest | Summer (Mid, Late) |
| Soil Type | Chalk, Loam, Sand |
| Soil pH | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral |
| Soil Drainage | Well-Drained |
| Characteristics | Dried Arrangements, Cut Flowers, Fragrant, Showy, Evergreen |
| Tolerance | Drought, Deer, Rabbit, Dry Soil, Rocky Soil |
| Attracts | Bees, Butterflies |
| Landscaping Ideas | Beds And Borders, Hedges And Screens, Edging, Patio And Containers |
| Garden Styles | City and Courtyard, Coastal Garden, Gravel and Rock Garden, Informal and Cottage, Mediterranean Garden, Traditional Garden |
Create a membership account to save your garden designs and to view them on any device.
Becoming a contributing member of Gardenia is easy and can be done in just a few minutes. If you provide us with your name, email address and the payment of a modest $25 annual membership fee, you will become a full member, enabling you to design and save up to 25 of your garden design ideas.
Join now and start creating your dream garden!
Create a membership account to save your garden designs and to view them on any device.
Becoming a contributing member of Gardenia is easy and can be done in just a few minutes. If you provide us with your name, email address and the payment of a modest $25 annual membership fee, you will become a full member, enabling you to design and save up to 25 of your garden design ideas.
Join now and start creating your dream garden!
