Growing Lavender in Northern Wisconsin

Winter Hardiness

• Perhaps you dream of the fields of lavender found in Provence, in the south of France. Alas, extravagant French lavender (Lavandula dentata) is only hardy in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 8 through 9, making it completely inappropriate for northern Wisconsin, which lies in USDA zones 3 through 4a. However, English lavender is hardy in USDA zones 5 through 9. Although technically not quite hardy in northern Wisconsin, you might have luck growing it in a protected area, especially if you apply a winter mulch. English lavenders have been grown successfully in southern Wisconsin, so it might be worth a try, says University of Wisconsin Kenosha County Extension. "Munstead" (Lavandula angustifolia "Munstead") and "Hidcote" (Lavandula angustifolia "Hidcote") are among the most cold hardy.

Growing Conditions

• In addition to reasonably warm temperatures, lavender plants have specific growing requirements. They grow best in full sun and thrive in alkaline, slightly dry soil. They don't tolerate soggy soils and rot quickly, even in the winter. Another problem you might face in northern Wisconsin is humidity. In humid conditions, lavender suffers more disease and insect problems.

Growing Recommendations

• Growing lavender in northern Wisconsin is challenging, at best. Instead of growing lavender as a perennial, try growing it as an annual container plant. Fill a pot with a mixture that contains equal parts sand, topsoil and compost. Add a few pebbles or broken shards of pottery to the bottom of the pot to increase drainage. When growing lavender as an annual, you can grow a wider variety of plants, including French (Lavandula dentata) and Spanish (Lavandula stoechas) lavenders.

Harvesting Lavender

• If you're lucky enough to successfully grow lavender in northern Wisconsin, you'll want to enjoy the fruits of your labors all year long. To harvest lavender, cut it in the early morning when the oils are most concentrated. Cut lavender when at least 50 percent of the flowers are open, advises Colorado State University Extension. Wrap bunches of lavender with a rubber band and hang them in a cool, dry location until dry. The bunches can be used in wreaths, baking or potpourri.