I don't know anything but I have some growing great. I picked up a little lavender plant at WalMart last year, think it's called Provence? I stuck it in a tire filled with dirt outside and ignored the heck out of it. It's up again this year and threatening to take over the yard.

Seems like I read somewhere that if you prune Lavender too much - like where the stems get woody and there are no leaves, it can kill it. Here's a link with ALL kinds of info on lavender - all you would ever want to know about all the varieties. It also includes some info on growing them in pots. I hope you have success this time!

Here is a link that might be useful: Growing Lavender

Nice site! Makes me want to see if I can actualy get this stuff to grow. I've killed three different varities so far, but my Norman buddy has a Hidcote that returns each year. She has it planted in clay soil with lots of compost and grit and mulches it with compost every year for mulch.

I have lavendar growing in a very well drained flowerbed. It is thriving there.

I'm attaching a link to Lavender Hill Farm here in Oklahoma. The following advice came from them:

Growing Lavender in Oklahoma
Always keeping in mind your particular growing conditions, here are some tips for successful growing in our region:

Adequate sunlight - all day is good, but at least 6 hours/day is necessary.

Soil - loose and well drained. Lavender does not like wet feet. Try to mound the soil and adding lime is good.

Fertilizer - I use fish emulsion one time/year. No manure please.

Mulch - Pea gravel is very good. It helps drain and keeps the plant clean.

Irrigation - Think dry. When you water, drip irrigation is best. Try not to plant where there is overhead sprinkling. The biggest cause of plant failure is overwatering.

Pruning - Do prune back every year. I prune in early fall and cut back by one third. If you get too far into the woody center you may kill your plant.

Choose varieties that grow well in our climate. I like Grosso, Provence and Hidcote.

For more information on lavender, check out these websites:

www.foreverlavender.com
www.norfolklavender.com
www.museedelalavende.com

Lisa

Here is a link that might be useful: Lavender Hill Farm

I tried for the 3rd time last year, and finally got one to winter over. It's the cultivar 'Provence' (Diane mentioned she has one, too). I had tried about 6 different plants before, including Hidcote, but could not, could not, get it to tolerate the winter. This time I put it in absolutely full sun, at the top of a slope that drains very well, in porous soil. I planted a 2" pot last year, and this year it is about 3' tall and 3' wide; very vigorous grower. I'd like to grow one with the darker blooms, but will have to look around.

Susan

Getting lavender to survive has been a challenge but I keep trying. Have been harvesting from 2 existing plants for several years. I have tried several kinds. This year I managed to find Provence, Hidcote, Munstead, Grosso, and Vera. I have studied both of the links provided above and am hoping for better success. EP