Phenomenal Lavender?

kilroyscarnival · November 19, 2019

I've been reading about this new hardier variety of lavender, "Phenomenal" - that has high disease, cold, and heat-humidity tolerance. Attractive to me as it can apparently grow in Central Florida. Then I started looking on various web sites, and some recommend it for Zones 5-10 while others say 5-8. I'm in 9B.

I'd love to try some, even if it means keeping it in a large tall pot with extra attention to drainage and perhaps moving it to an area where in the heat of the summer it only gets morning sun and partial coverage from our afternoon tropical rains.

Has anyone here had luck with it? I love the idea of having some by the south facing front door where the scent will greet us and guests. Even if I have to rotate it out.

-- Ann

KarenO · November 19, 2019

try it in a pot perhaps. Lavender needs good drainage.
KarenO

kilroyscarnival · November 20, 2019

That's the hope. I asked on a local gardening forum on Facebook and the woman who'd grown it had no luck, and she sounded like she knew what she was doing in terms of drainage. I'd probably do a tall pot with a medium full of perlite or vermiculite.

In fact, I sidetracked at lunch yesterday and was looking into DIY large containers. I'd kind of like to be able to use something vertical like a five gallon bucket, but have an outer container that looks classier. I stumbled onto hypertufa lightweight concrete, and I'm hoping once the veggie garden falls more into shape, we can look into trying our hand at that for some interesting front-yard large containers for growing ornamentals. My sweetie does have a degree in art sculpture he's not putting to use...

November 19, 2019	#1
kilroyscarnival Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Orlando, FL Posts: 614	Phenomenal Lavender? I've been reading about this new hardier variety of lavender, "Phenomenal" - that has high disease, cold, and heat-humidity tolerance. Attractive to me as it can apparently grow in Central Florida. Then I started looking on various web sites, and some recommend it for Zones 5-10 while others say 5-8. I'm in 9B. I'd love to try some, even if it means keeping it in a large tall pot with extra attention to drainage and perhaps moving it to an area where in the heat of the summer it only gets morning sun and partial coverage from our afternoon tropical rains. Has anyone here had luck with it? I love the idea of having some by the south facing front door where the scent will greet us and guests. Even if I have to rotate it out. -- Ann

November 19, 2019	#2
KarenO Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Vancouver Island Posts: 5,931	try it in a pot perhaps. Lavender needs good drainage. KarenO

November 20, 2019	#3
kilroyscarnival Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Orlando, FL Posts: 614	That's the hope. I asked on a local gardening forum on Facebook and the woman who'd grown it had no luck, and she sounded like she knew what she was doing in terms of drainage. I'd probably do a tall pot with a medium full of perlite or vermiculite. In fact, I sidetracked at lunch yesterday and was looking into DIY large containers. I'd kind of like to be able to use something vertical like a five gallon bucket, but have an outer container that looks classier. I stumbled onto hypertufa lightweight concrete, and I'm hoping once the veggie garden falls more into shape, we can look into trying our hand at that for some interesting front-yard large containers for growing ornamentals. My sweetie does have a degree in art sculpture he's not putting to use...