Lavender was previously the characteristic plant of High Provence. Every year thousands of people make a pilgrimage to the southern French province and admire the lush, purple-flowering fields. There are also larger growing areas in other Mediterranean countries, even in India. It's hard to imagine that in a few years commercial cultivation will also be successful in German wine-growing regions.
No commercial cultivation in Germany yet
The climate is gradually changing. Some scoffers may dispute this; However, statistical analyzes of weather records have shown that the temperature has risen continuously in recent years - by up to one or two degrees Celsius, depending on the region. That may not seem like much at first glance, but for Mediterranean plants like lavender this means a chance to become native to Germany. So it is not surprising that there are already the first experimental plantings, especially in the Moselle area - after all, the hardy real lavender also grows wild from German gardens by sowing itself.
Real lavender especially feels good
Of all the lavender varieties, the true lavender, Lavandula angustifolia, as it is botanically correctly called, is the most robust. This type of lavender is hardy and thrives in many areas of Germany - provided the location is appropriate. Lavender needs a very sunny, warm location with sandy, well-drained soil. Nutrient-rich, humus-rich soil, peat soil or loamy soil, on the other hand, are less suitable, but can at least be worked accordingly in the home garden. The history of lavender shows that this Mediterranean plant has been with us since the Middle Ages - the abbess and healer Hildegart von Bingen described the medicinal herb.
Overwintering lavender
Only real lavender should overwinter outdoors - depending on the region and climate, with protection made of brushwood or frost protection mats. Other types of lavender, on the other hand, are sometimes winter-hardy, but are far from winter-hardy. In frosty temperatures under cold house conditions they belong in protected rooms or in an (unheated) greenhouse.
Tips & Tricks
Lavender is also very suitable for balcony planting. The balcony should be as sunny as possible (south or southwest orientation) and also offer protection from bad weather.
