Lavender does have a lot going for it, I don't think you mentioned that it also survives in a drought. We've got one that's called Italian lavender and the flowers have little "flames" of petals sticking out of the top of the flowers - lovely!

Great point Val.

Can anyone tell me if lavender will grow in the Northern Territory (Katherine area) and if so when is best to plant it, and where can I buy some? I recently fell in love with the plant after seeing it in Italy and France!

B Heim - I don't see why it shouldn't. Their grey foliage should be able to cope with the heat and perspiration quite well. My only hesitation would be whether they would struggle with fungal diseases due to the tropical moisture. If this is possible then I would steer clear of the large shrubby varieties and choose your smaller compacts instead.

My mother in law wants to prune my lavender back - its the Italian variety. I haven't yet agreed as I thought you are meant to do this after flowering. It is only 12 months old and has had one flush of flowers. Should I let her attack it?

Stick to your guns Kath. It's much better to prune lavender after flowering although it won't hurt it if you do.

Thanks Stuart. I won't let her attack it just yet! Kath

Does lavender benefit from being cut down in the fall? I haven't done so in past years (even though I cut back most plants in this cold winter zone) but my lavender seems to be getting woodier -- less foliage -- and takes longer to fill out in the spring/summer.

My son sent me two lavender plants in pots for my Birthday and they are not doing very well! I may have over watered them...if I cut them back and wait until spring to put them in my garden will that hurt them? I know not to cut them much below the woody part!

I love Lavender and the smell is great. I even love the color. Keep up the good work and I'd like to know if there's crafts on Lavender. Thanks.

Can anyone tell me when I should the signs of new growth in the spring with lavender? As of right now I'm not seeing any signs of life.

I understand what your saying about being able to survive without watering for long periods BUT I live in a place where temp. gets up to 50C during the day with dry hot air. I have grown them in a big window box, still the no need to water them rule apply?? even with this heat??

Hey, My name is Pam and my husband and I planted a bed of Lavender last year. It's the first of June and the blooms are beautiful...bumble bees are loving it. My question: If I cut the flowers, will they continue to flower during the summer?

Is it possible to have a lavender in a apartment by the windowsill.?

Can these plants be planted in northern areas with frost and brought in for the winter and then be planted back in spring. I love these but am concerned they would not survive move in and out of a NY climate

This is a question for the original poster, and any other growers who use lavandula latifolia in the kitchen.

Are "Sumion" and/or "Dark Plum" suitable for culinary use?

I harvest and dry all my bloomed out flower stalks. When I cook, I strip the flower heads from one stem and grind them to a powder in a mortar with a pinch of salt. For sweet dishes lavender goes well with nutmeg, cinnamon, and anise seed; for savory dishes it is good with sweet fennel seed and black peppercorns.

Try it; you'll like it! I don't cook without it!

This is a question for the original poster, and any other growers who use lavandula latifolia in the kitchen.

Are "Sumion" and/or "Dark Plum" suitable for culinary use?

I harvest and dry all my bloomed out flower stalks. When I cook, I strip the flower heads from one stem and grind them to a powder in a mortar with a pinch of salt. For sweet dishes lavender goes well with nutmeg, cinnamon, and anise seed; for savory dishes it is good with sweet fennel seed and black peppercorns.

Try it; you'll like it! I don't cook without it!