When to plant Cotton lavender?

Cotton lavender thrives in full sun and free-draining soil, making it ideal for gravel gardens, Mediterranean-style borders, and sunny banks. It tolerates sandy, loamy, and chalky soils but abhors waterlogging, so avoid heavy clay unless you improve drainage significantly. Choose a spot that receives at least six hours of direct sunlight daily; shade leads to leggy growth and poor flowering. Plant container-grown specimens in April, May, September, or October. Spring planting gives roots time to establish before summer heat, while autumn planting works well if your soil drains freely and winters are not excessively wet. Dig a hole the same depth as the root ball and twice as wide. Break up compacted soil at the base and, if drainage is questionable, work in horticultural grit or sharp sand. Cotton lavender needs no added organic matter—overly rich soil encourages soft growth that is prone to winter damage. Set plants 60 cm apart to allow for their mature spread of 60–90 cm. Position the root ball level with the surrounding soil; planting too deep can cause stem rot. Backfill, firm gently with your heel, and water in thoroughly to settle roots. After planting, apply a 3–5 cm mulch of gravel or grit around the base, keeping it clear of the stems. This suppresses weeds, reflects light, and maintains the dry conditions cotton lavender prefers. Avoid organic mulches like bark or compost, which retain moisture. Water sparingly during the first few weeks if weather is dry, but once established, cotton lavender tolerates drought exceptionally well.