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Growth Rate
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Moderate. New Age Lavender typically grows 12–18 inches per year, reaching its mature size in about 3–4 years under optimal conditions. |
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Colorful leaves
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Flowering
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Yes |
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Bloom Color
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Disease resistant
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Yes |
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Cold Tolerant
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Yes |
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Heat Tolerant
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Yes |
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Drought Tolerant
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No |
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Deer Resistant
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Yes |
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Edible
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No |
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Wildlife Attraction
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- Pollinators: The flowers of New Age Lavender attract a variety of pollinators, including bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. These pollinators are drawn to the nectar-rich flowers, making this lilac a fantastic addition to any pollinator garden.
Birds: After blooming, the plant may produce small seed pods that can provide food for birds during the fall and winter months. The dense foliage also offers shelter for small birds.
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Self-pollinating
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Seasonality
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- Spring to Summer: New Age Lavender begins blooming in late spring, typically around May or June, producing abundant lavender-purple flowers that fill the air with a sweet fragrance. The blooms continue throughout early summer, providing long-lasting color and fragrance. The foliage remains healthy and vibrant, creating a lush backdrop for the flowers.
- Fall: In the fall, the leaves transition to yellow before dropping, providing additional seasonal color.
- Winter: During the winter, New Age Lavender enters dormancy, shedding its leaves and leaving behind a compact structure that adds form to the winter garden. While the shrub may be bare in winter, its clean, upright form can still add visual interest.
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Leaf Description
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- Leaves: The leaves of New Age Lavender are dark green, oval, and smooth, providing a lush backdrop to the vibrant blooms. The foliage maintains its rich color throughout the growing season, contributing to the plant's overall healthy appearance.
- Fall Color: In the fall, the leaves transition to shades of yellow before falling, offering an attractive color change as the plant prepares for dormancy.
- Texture: The leaves are smooth and slightly leathery, adding to the plant’s overall dense and polished look.
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Flower Description
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- Flower Description: The flowers of New Age Lavender are large, cone-shaped clusters that feature soft lavender-purple hues. These flowers are fragrant and dense, offering a strong, sweet scent that fills the garden. The vibrant lavender blooms create a striking contrast against the plant’s dark green leaves.
Flower Longevity: The flowers bloom for several weeks, with new clusters emerging as the older ones fade. Regular deadheading after flowering encourages more blooms and keeps the plant tidy.
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Planting Instructions
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- Best Time to Plant: The best time to plant New Age Lavender is in early spring, after the last frost, or fall, before the first frost. Planting during these seasons allows the plant to establish strong roots before the extreme temperatures of summer or winter set in.
- Planting Instructions: Choose a location with well-drained soil and full sun. New Age Lavender thrives in slightly alkaline, well-drained soil and prefers plenty of sunlight for optimal flowering. Dig a hole that is at least twice as wide as the root ball and just as deep. Place the plant in the hole, ensuring that the top of the root ball is level with the surrounding soil. Backfill with soil, firm it gently, and water thoroughly to settle the roots.
- Spacing: Space plants about 4–5 feet apart to allow for their mature size and to promote good air circulation, which helps prevent disease.
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Pruning & Maintenance
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- Pruning Time: Prune New Age Lavender in early spring, just before new growth begins. Remove any dead, damaged, or diseased stems and trim the plant to maintain its shape.
- Pruning Tips: Deadheading spent flowers will encourage the plant to produce more blooms and keep it looking tidy. Light pruning throughout the growing season will help maintain its dense, compact form.
Maintenance Pruning: New Age Lavender generally requires light pruning to maintain its shape. Avoid heavy pruning, as lilacs bloom on old wood, and excessive pruning may reduce the next season's flower production.
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Water Needs
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- Watering: New Age Lavender requires moderate watering, especially during dry spells. Water deeply once a week, ensuring the soil remains moist but not waterlogged. It prefers well-drained soil and cannot tolerate standing water.
- Drought Tolerance: Once established, New Age Lavender is somewhat drought-tolerant, but it performs best with consistent moisture, particularly during its flowering season.
- Watering Tip: Water at the base of the plant and avoid overhead watering, which can promote fungal diseases like powdery mildew.
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Light Needs
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- Light: New Age Lavender thrives in full sun but can tolerate partial shade. For optimal flowering, the plant should receive at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day. In regions with very hot summers, some afternoon shade will help protect the plant from excessive heat and preserve the vibrant blooms.
Shade Tolerance: While it can tolerate partial shade, the plant will bloom less prolifically and have a more open form in low-light conditions.
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Harvesting
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- Harvesting: New Age Lavender is perfect for use in floral arrangements due to its fragrant, large clusters of flowers. Cut stems with fully opened flowers and place them in water to enjoy their beauty indoors. The flowers will last for several days in water, providing an elegant touch to any room.
Seed Pods: After blooming, small seed pods may form, but lilacs are primarily grown for their flowers, not for seed production. These pods can be left for birds to enjoy in the fall or harvested for future propagation.
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Fertilizing
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- Fertilizing: Apply a balanced, slow-release fertilizer in early spring, just before new growth begins. This will support healthy new growth and vibrant flowers throughout the growing season.
- Fertilizer Tip: Avoid fertilizers with high nitrogen content, as they can promote excessive leaf growth at the expense of flowers. A balanced fertilizer with equal parts nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium will support both foliage and flower production.
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Pollination
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- New Age Lavender produces both male and female flowers and is self-pollinating, meaning it does not require another lilac for pollination. However, planting it near other lilacs or pollinator-friendly plants can enhance overall pollination and result in more prolific blooms.
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Companion Plants
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- Perennials: Pair with perennials like Echinacea, Coreopsis, or Daylilies for added contrast in color and texture.
- Shrubs: Combine with other flowering shrubs such as Weigela, Viburnum, or Spiraea for a layered, multi-textured garden.
Groundcovers: Low-growing groundcovers like Ajuga or Liriope will complement New Age Lavender and enhance its appearance.
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