What spacing and plant care does lavender need and how many years does it yield?

Lavender is a hardy perennial shrub for cool temperate areas, planted in rows with enough spacing between plants and rows for the bushes to spread and for airflow, since crowding and damp invite root and crown rot. It needs a well drained soil, it strongly dislikes waterlogging, and a sunny cool location, so slopes with good drainage suit it. Once established it yields flowering spikes for several years, often a good number of years before the bushes need replacing, with the first year mostly for establishment and lower yield. Light pruning after flowering keeps the bushes shapely and productive. The flowers are harvested for oil distillation and dried product. For the exact spacing, pruning and care for your variety and hill conditions, confirm with your KVK or the aroma mission centre, because drainage and spacing are the make or break factors.