Growing purple flowers in the shade may seem like a challenge, but it’s also an opportunity to experiment with different types of plants. Depending on your location and the amount of light available, growing lavender in the shade is possible with a few adjustments. However, you should be aware that some purple flowers require more sunlight than others. If you’re interested in adding purple flowering plants to your personal green space or garden, read on for information about growing lavender in the shade.
Can Lavender Grow In The Shade?
Yes, but it may not bloom as abundantly in the shade. Lavender loves the sun and requires at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day to flower well. However, it can be grown in part-sun/part-shade conditions. In fact, if grown in too much sun, it can become quite leggy. So give it a spot that gets some morning or afternoon sun but is shaded from the hottest part of the day.
Where To Grow Lavender In Shade
Lavender in the Shade
Lavender flowers thrive in the shade. If you live in a region with a hot and dry climate, it’s best to grow lavender in an area with full sun exposure. However, if you live somewhere that has cool summers, then you should consider planting lavender in partial shade. The best way to determine if your area has enough sunlight for lavender plants is to visit your local nursery or botanical garden and ask about the type of soil and the amount of sunlight available to each plant.
Lavender That Can Grow In Partial Shade
Lavandula ‘Atropurpurea’ is a great option for growing lavender plants under partial shade conditions. This variety can tolerate cooler temperatures than other types of lavenders, making it an excellent choice for shady gardens or patios where purple flowers are desired. ‘Atropurpurea’ can also handle hot summers because it’s drought-tolerant.
Purple Flowers That Can Grow in Partial Shade
Lavender ‘Purple Passion’ is a popular purple flowering plant that can be grown in partial shade. This variety naturally grows in partial shade, making it an excellent choice for gardeners who are looking for purple flowers to add to their landscape. Purple Passion is versatile and easy to maintain, making it an attractive option for home gardens and landscaping projects.
Purple Flowers That Can Grow In Full Sun
If you live in an area with full sun exposure, then you may decide to grow lavender plants that can handle the heat of summer without needing any extra care or attention during the growing season. Lavender ‘Lyndhurst’ is a popular variety that can handle full sun exposure without turning brown or wilting away due to hot temperatures.
How Much Sunlight Does Lavender Need?
- If you live in a sunny area, lavender will thrive in the full sun. It’s not uncommon for lavender to grow 3-4 feet tall with 2-3 feet of width. In a sunny location, the plant will produce large amounts of purple flowers and strong foliage.
- If you live in an area with little or no shade, lavender can be grown in containers or planted in a sunny location. The plant will grow between 1-2 feet tall and as wide as it is tall. You may need to stake the plant or provide some support for its growth if it grows too tall in your container.
- If you live in an area with full shade, your lavender will grow shorter than other plants that are exposed to more light and more intense sunlight. It can still produce purple flowers and strong foliage but will take longer to reach its full potential size than plants that are exposed to more sunlight and sunlight that is long-lasting throughout the day.
- If you live in an area with low light, your lavender will not grow as tall or produce as many flowers as other plants that are exposed to more sunlight. The plant will still grow taller than other plants that are exposed to more sunlight and have shorter days.
Care Of Growing Lavender In The Shade
Cold-Hardy Lavender
Cold-hardy lavender is a plant that thrives in cooler temperatures and can be grown in full shade. A cold-hardy lavender plant will survive in temperatures as low as 15 degrees Fahrenheit, but you should still give it some extra protection when the weather gets colder. Cold-Harding lavender plants produce more blooms and are more resistant to disease than their warm-season counterparts.
Warm-Season Lavender
Warm-season lavender should be planted in full sun or light shade with well-drained soil. If you live in a Mediterranean climate, choose an area with abundant sunlight and lots of air circulation throughout the year to ensure that your lavender flowers last longer.
Perennial Lavender
Perennial lavenders are plants that thrive in hot climates and require no soil preparation before planting them. These plants are tough and grow quickly, but they’re also very sensitive to frost.
Tips For Growing Lavender In The Shade
Check the light requirements of your chosen purple flowers
To determine if lavender can grow in the shade, it’s important to check the light requirements of your chosen flower. Most purple flowering plants prefer full sunlight, although some may tolerate partial shade. For example, many purple flowers will tolerate a bit of shade and even grow in places where there is little or no direct sunlight.
Add more soil to your growing area
If you want to grow lavender in the shade, it’s best to add more soil to your growing area. This will help create a moister environment that is better for root development and growth. You can also add peat moss or compost to increase moisture and improve drainage as well.
Use a trellis or fence as a support system for your lavender plant
A trellis or fence can be used as a support system for lavender plants that need more support than other types of plants. This can help your plant grow taller and more robust.
Remove the lavender plant from direct light
If you want to grow lavender in the shade, it’s best to remove the lavender plant from direct sunlight. If you do this too soon, it can decrease the number of blooms your plants produce.
Mulch to help control moisture and prevent weeds
To help control moisture and prevent weeds in your growing area, add mulch around your purple flowers. You can also use a soil-less potting mix or a peat moss potting mix to keep your plants moist without adding too much water each season.
Conclusion
Some plants thrive in the shade, while others don’t do as well under these conditions. When growing purple flowers in the shade, the main thing to remember is to be patient. You may need to start with young plants or seeds and wait a few years for them to reach their full potential. Keep in mind that growing purple flowers in the shade can be challenging. You’ll need to water lavender more frequently in these conditions, and you may need to supplement light with artificial light. When growing purple flowers in the shade, you’ll need to be patient with your plants and diligent with their care.
