Lavender in the Winter
Many people have been surprised to discover that lavender can grow in such a cold climate like Utah. Well, I'm here to tell you that not only does it grow here, but it thrives here.
Lavendoola Lavender Farm is located in the Wasatch Mountains of Northern Utah (elevation 5682 ft). We grow 2 varieties of lavender, namely lavandula angustifolia (AKA: True Lavender) and lavandula xinternedia ( AKA: Lavandins) both of which are hardy to zone 5. Our average annual snowfall is 75" and boy does it get cold. Already this year we have had -20 degrees with the windchill factor. So how can a Mediterranean plant such as lavender thrive here? Easily!
The snow that we accumulate during the winter months actually insulates
and protects the lavender from the freezing winds. Without the snow,
the lavender would die. In fact two years ago, we lost about 10% of our
lavender due to winds because we didn't get any snow to stay longer than
a day.
Some lavender, such as lavandula angustifolia 'Folgate', grow bigger flower heads based on the chill of the winter. The colder it is, the bigger the flower head in the spring.
Snow is not the problem with lavender. . . deer are. Although lavender is considered to be "deer resistant", when there is nothing else to eat, deer will eat anything (as you can see in the photo above). Granted, they really don't like it, and leave our lavender alone for the most part, every now and then they will sample some.
If you are thinking about planting lavender, be sure you get the right variety for your climate.
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