About
A shrub up to about 75cm high, with an erect but rather sprawling habit, evergreen, aromatic, linear, grey-green leaves up to 5.5cm long, becoming greener with age, and flowering stems up to 40cm long topped by loose spikes up to 10cm long of very aromatic, vibrant violet flowers in late summer.
About the genus
Lavandula are small aromatic evergreen shrubs with usually narrow, simple, entire, toothed or lobed leaves and small tubular flowers in dense spikes in summer
Growing conditions
SunlightFull sun
Soil typeSand, Chalk, Loam
Soil pHNeutral, Alkaline, Acid
Soil moistureWell-drained
AspectSouth-facing, West-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH5
Plant details
Plant typeShrubs
HabitBushy
FoliageEvergreen
Height0.5-1 metres
Spread0.5-1 metres
Time to full height2-5 years
Suggested usesWildlife gardens, Gravel garden, Coastal, Mediterranean climate plants, Cottage and informal garden, City and courtyard gardens
FragranceFlower, Foliage
Care notes
CultivationGrow in full sun in well-drained soil; for more advice, see lavender cultivation
PruningPruning group 10; deadhead after flowering. Trimming in late summer prevents plants from becoming straggly, but you can leave plants for a season to benefit wildlife with seeds or as shelter if you prefer. Avoid pruning in autumn in wet or cold regions as this may leave plants vulnerable to winter damage. Avoid cutting back into old wood
PropagationPropagate by semi-ripe cuttings in late summer, or by softwood cuttings of new growth in early summer. See our video How to take lavender cuttings for more advice
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to rosemary beetle, and to cuckoo spit (froghopper or spittle bug nymphs)
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to grey moulds (Botrytis) and honey fungus (rarely)