Munstead is a type of lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) that was created by British horticulturalist and plantswoman Gertrude Jekyll. It was first introduced in 1916 and even today is one of the most widely grown varieties of lavender.
Munstead has deep, rich green foliage with highly aromatic, silvery-blue flowers blooming from June to August. It’s fast-growing, drought tolerant, and highly fragrant. It grows well in a wide range of soils and prefers full sun, although it can tolerate light shade.
This makes it well-suited for a range of garden styles, from formal herb gardens to cottage gardens. It’s also used for culinary and medical purposes, as well as for its beautiful fragrance.
Munstead lavender is a useful choice for gardeners looking for a low-maintenance, yet elegant, addition to their landscapes. Its striking foliage and sweetly scented flowers make it a delightful addition to any garden.
Is Lavandula angustifolia the same as lavender?
Yes, Lavandula angustifolia is the same as lavender. It is a species of flowering plant in the mint family, Lamiaceae, and is native to the Mediterranean region but can also be found in other parts of the world.
It is one of the most popular essential oils due to its many medicinal and therapeutic uses. It is also used in aromatherapy, as it has a sweet, soothing scent that is believed to help with relaxation and stress relief.
Lavender is known for its calming and sedative effects, making it a popular choice for calming and refreshing baths and even for relieving headaches and other physical discomforts. Lavandula angustifolia is also popular in the culinary world as it can be used to flavor foods, as well as for making herbal teas and jams.
What is the difference between English lavender and Munstead lavender?
English lavender and Munstead lavender are both common varieties of lavender, but they have some key differences. English lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) is an evergreen shrub with a long flowering period that blooms in shades of pink, purple, and white.
It is relatively low growing, reaching up to 2-3 feet tall and produces quite a bit of oil, making it a great choice for aromatherapy. Munstead lavender (Lavandula Angustifolia ‘Munstead’) is a darker-colored shrub that blooms later in the summer and has a less intense aroma than English lavender.
It can reach taller heights up to 3-4 feet and grows in a more upright manner than English lavender. Munstead lavender also has a longer flowering period and its flower heads are usually a more vivid shade of purple.
Lastly, Munstead lavender is a hardier variety of lavender that is more tolerant of cold temperatures and requires less maintenance compared to English lavender.
Which is the strongest smelling lavender?
The strongest smelling lavender is usually considered to be Lavandula angustifolia, also known as English lavender. This species is more pungent and full-bodied in fragrance compared to other lavender varieties, such as Lavandula x intermedia (lavandin) or Lavandula stoechas (Spanish lavender).
English lavender has a sweet, floral, and herbaceous scent, with powerful undertones of camphor and eucalyptus. Additionally, the herb has a woody, earthy, and balsamic flavor. The oil from this shrub is commonly used in aromatherapy, providing calming and relaxing effects for people.
Compared to other lavender types, English lavender has the strongest aroma and therapeutic properties.
What is the prettiest lavender?
The prettiest lavender depends on what you prefer. Some people like the true purple tones of English lavender (Lavandula angustifolia or Lavandula officinalis), while others prefer the deep violet hue of French lavender (Lavandula intermedia).
Spanish lavender (Lavandula stoechas) is also popular for its intense color, as well as its strong, sweet fragrance. Ultimately, it’s up to you to decide which type of lavender is the prettiest.
Which variety of lavender is best?
The best variety of lavender will depend on the desired use and growing conditions. The most popular variety of lavender is English lavender (Lavandula angustifolia), which is known to flower prolifically and produce an abundance of fragrant oil.
French lavender (Lavandula stoechas) is a popular garden variety, with showy, fragrant blooms and a higher oil content than English lavender. Spanish lavender or lavandin (Lavandula x intermedia) is a hybrid of English andFrench lavenders and is noted for its reliability and productivity, as well as its higher levels of fragrance oil.
In terms of growing conditions, most lavender varieties require well-drained soil and exposure to full sun. Despite its popularity, English Lavender is not considered to be the hardiest of varieties and may require more maintenance and protection from winter temperatures.
Spanish Lavender and French Lavender, on the other hand, are fairly hardy and require less maintenance.
Ultimately, the best lavender variety for a particular growing area and desired use will depend on the grower’s preferences, local climate, and available space.
Is Munstead lavender English or French?
Munstead Lavender is an English variety of Lavandula angustifolia (also known as English Lavender) that was bred by renowned garden designer Gertrude Jekyll at her home, Munstead Wood in Surrey, England.
It was developed by crossing a Lavender Hutchingsii with a lavender that was probably a form of Lavandula angustifolia ‘Hidcote’. Munstead Lavender is one of the most popular lavenders due to its late flowering period, small size, dense dark purple flowers and dark green foliage.
Its relatively compact and tidy form makes it a great choice for both flowerbeds and borders.
Which lavender blooms the longest?
English lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) is one of the most popular varieties of lavender, and it is known to be one of the varieties with the longest blooming period. During the spring and summer months, English lavender is known to produce blooms that last up to three months.
The blooms will start out as purple buds in the spring, and these buds will open up to form small, fragrant purple flowers that can blanket an entire garden or landscape. In addition to its long-lasting blooms, English lavender is known to be a low maintenance plant, requiring very little in terms of pruning or care.
It is also a drought tolerant plant that can survive in a variety of soil types, making it a great choice for those looking to create a beautiful, low-maintenance garden.
Should I cut back Munstead lavender?
The answer to this question really depends on the type of Munstead lavender you are trying to cut back. If you are talking about the English lavender variety, it is recommended to prune it in the late spring or early summer.
Generally speaking, you want to trim the plant lightly, being careful to not cut too much away. You should be focusing on dead or diseased stems or branches, and removing any that are overgrowing or becoming too heavy with blooms.
Additionally, you can snip off some of the block flower heads, which will promote future blooming.
Overall, it is important to practice caution when pruning. Lavender has a delicate flower and a loose and delficate form. When pruning, you should always use sharp pruning shears and be careful not to damage the plant by taking off too much.
The rule of thumb is to prune no more than one-third of the plant. Taking off too much could cause the plant to become stressed or even die.
Can Munstead lavender survive winter?
Yes, Munstead lavender (Lavandula angustifolia ‘Munstead’) can survive winter. But, you must take a few measures to ensure its success. First, ensure the site has good drainage as Munstead lavender is very sensitive to wet soil in winter months.
Also, make sure to mulch around the base of the plant to help protect the tender roots from cold temperatures. Because the plant can be prone to foliar damage if the winter is particularly harsh, it is best to prune it back after flowering to improve the plant’s overall resilience.
Lastly, protect the plant from strong winds and pol-ar cold air by planting with trees or shrubs, or by covering them with tarps or evergreen boughs in extreme temperatures. Taking these precautions can help ensure that your Munstead lavender survives the winter months and comes back stronger for the next growing season.
Will Munstead lavender bloom twice?
Yes, Munstead lavender will bloom twice in a year. It typically blooms in late spring and then again in early summer. This plant is resilient and relatively easy to care for, so it generally doesn’t have issues with blooming again in a season.
Proper pruning after the first bloom is important in encouraging a second bloom, though. Munstead lavender should be pruned right to the ground in late summer or early fall, ensuring that it has enough time to create new shoots before the cold winter months.
Additionally, it is essential to make sure the soil is rich in organic matter and that the plant is getting enough sun and water. With these factors in place, Munstead lavender should be able to bloom twice in a season.
How hardy is Munstead lavender?
Munstead lavender is very hardy and can tolerate a wide variety of climate conditions, making it an easy-to-care-for perennial plant. It is hardy to USDA zones 5-9, which translates to cold-hardiness down to -20° F.
Additionally, it is quite drought-tolerant and will require little irrigation once established. It is also tolerant of a wide range of soil pH levels, from acidic to alkaline. The flowers of Munstead lavender will usually begin to bloom from late spring to early summer, and plants can yield many flowers over the course of the summer.
As long as there is adequate sun and soil drainage, Munstead lavender can be a beautiful and low-maintenance addition to your garden.
Will lavender rebloom if you cut it back?
Yes, if you cut lavender back after it has finished blooming, it can rebloom. This is best done in late summer or early fall. To encourage reblooming, use tools like hand pruners or hedge shears to trim just one to two inches off the top of the plant, making sure to remove all of the flower stalks from the previous blooming.
This is also a good time to shape the plant if desired. Cut back the sides of the plant so that the top is the widest part, creating a rectangular shape. Water the lavender regularly and allow the soil to mostly dry out between waterings.
Lavender should begin to rebloom in time for the spring and early summer months.
How do I get my lavender plant to bloom again?
To get your lavender plant to bloom again, you will need to encourage the optimal environmental conditions for blooming. These conditions include plenty of direct sunlight and a dry, well-draining soil.
Ensure that your lavender plant is planted in a spot that receives at least 6 hours of direct sunlight each day. If your plant is planted in too much shade, it won’t be able to photosynthesize and use energy from the sun, making it difficult for it to bloom.
Make sure the soil your lavender is planted in is well-draining and dry. You can add sand or gravel to help with drainage if necessary. Lavender likes a soil with a slightly higher level of acidity than most plants, with a pH of 6-7.
If you need to, you can amend the soil with lime to raise its pH level.
Remember to only water your lavender plant when it is needed. If the top inch of soil feels moist, your plant likely doesn’t need more water. Keep in mind that overwatering can cause root rot, which will inhibit blooming.
Finally, feed your lavender twice a season with a balanced fertilizer. This will give your plant the nutrients it needs to bloom. Once your lavender reaches a good blooming size, prune or deadhead it to help stimulate more blooms.
If you follow these tips, your lavender should start blooming again soon.
How long does it take lavender to rebloom?
The length of time it takes for lavender to rebloom will depend on the type of lavender plant in question. For example, English lavender typically blooms in late June and continues to bloom through October.
At the end of the blooming period, this type of lavender will go through its dormancy period and should emerge in late March or early April to bloom again. Spanish lavender, on the other hand, blooms in May, and may not be done until August.
It will not enter dormancy until September or October, but it may re-flower in late winter or early spring when temperatures begin to rise. In mild climates, however, it may start blooming again as early as December.
The length of the dormancy period and subsequent bloom time will also vary based on the hardiness zone of the plant.
Can you deadhead lavender for more blooms?
Yes, deadheading lavender is a great way to encourage more blooms. Deadheading is the process of removing spent or dying flowers from a plant. If you remove the lavender flowers after they have bloomed and begun to fade, it can help the plant to put more energy and resources into producing new blooms.
Deadheading lavender is also beneficial as it helps to keep the plant looking neat and tidy and encourages a longer flowering season overall. To deadhead lavender, use scissors or pruning shears to snip off the faded flowers and stems down to the base.
Make sure to dispose of the dead flowers properly to reduce the risk of spreading disease and pests. With regular deadheading, your lavender plant should produce more blooms for a longer period of time.
Which lavender is for medicinal use?
The most commonly used lavender for medicinal purposes is known as Lavandula angustifolia, commonly referred to as English lavender. The flowers and leaves from English lavender are often used aromatically as well as topically to help with skin irritations and other ailments.
For instance, English lavender can be used to help reduce stress and anxiety and be used as a sleep aid for those who experience insomnia. The scent of English lavender can also be used to relieve headaches, nausea, and fatigue.
English lavender is known to be a gentle oil, making it suitable for even those with sensitive skin. However, it is important to be aware of the potential side effects if using lavender with certain medications and if applying lavender oil topically, diluting the oil with a carrier oil will ensure it is milder.
Which is English or French lavender?
English lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) and French lavender (Lavandula dentata) are two of the most popular varieties of lavender. The English lavender shrub has narrow and silvery-green foliage, along with slender stems that bear small, single, fragrant and deep-purple flowers.
Its flowers are usually twice as large and twice as fragrant as the French lavender variety. French lavender, on the other hand, has broader and more elliptical leaves, and the flowers are usually a paler purple color, with a milder scent.
French lavender is sometimes referred to as “sweet lavender” because its scent is less pungent than that of the English variety. French lavender is also less expensive, making it a popular choice for drying and using in potpourri, floral decorations, and as a pleasant and calming fragrance.
