We planted hope in the form of 40 feet of lavender.
After a year of research, we finally put plants in the ground. Not just any plants—five carefully chosen varieties that might survive Missouri winters. This is our experiment, our test row, our beginning.
The Contenders:
🌿 English Lavenders (the cold-hardy optimists):
- Superblue – Compact with deep blue-purple blooms
- Forever Blue – Extra cold hardy with vibrant color
🌿 French/Lavandin Hybrids (the fragrant risk-takers):
- Grosso – High oil content, intense fragrance
- Provence Blue – Classic long stems for drying
- Phenomenal – Bred for disease resistance
Missouri Clay vs. Lavender Dreams
Our biggest challenge? Clay soil. Here’s how we tackled it:
- Tilled the row thoroughly
- Mixed equal parts: garden soil, sand, and compost
- Added 4 lbs of fast-acting gypsum to the entire 40′ row
- Created the well-draining environment lavender craves
No pesticides. No shortcuts. Just good soil prep and crossed fingers.
Which varieties will survive their first Missouri winter? Follow along as we find out together.