Overview
Lavandula 'Merle' is a bushy shrubs in the genus Lavandula, part of the Lamiaceae family, with evergreen foliage. Lavandula 'Merle' grows best in full sun, and tolerates most soils and any pH. Its UK hardiness is rated H7. Suggested uses include gravel garden, mediterranean climate plants, city and courtyard gardens, cottage and informal garden, patio and container plants, wildlife gardens, garden edging, banks and slopes and flower borders and beds.
About
Lavandula 'Merle' is a bushy evergreen shrub belonging to the genus Lavandula, known for its compact, aromatic nature and narrow simple leaves. This cultivar thrives in full sun and prefers sheltered positions with fertile, well-drained soil, including sandy, loamy, or clay types with a range of pH levels. Hardy to UK zone H7, it is suitable for various garden settings such as gravel gardens, courtyards, and wildlife gardens. 'Merle' is notable for its interest in spring and summer, producing small tubular flowers in dense spikes typical of lavender species.
Growing conditions
Best soil and position for Lavandula
- Sunlight
- Full sun
- Soil type
- Sandy, Loamy, Clay
- Soil pH
- Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
- Soil moisture
- Well-drained, Moist but well-drained
- Aspect
- South-facing, East-facing, West-facing
- Exposure
- Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H7
Plant details
Lavandula 'Merle' size, habit and characteristics
- Plant type
- Shrubs
- Habit
- Bushy
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Suggested uses
- Gravel garden, Mediterranean climate plants, City and courtyard gardens, Cottage and informal garden, Patio and container plants, Wildlife gardens, Garden edging, Banks and slopes, Flower borders and beds
Care notes
Pruning and caring for Lavandula 'Merle'
- Propagation
- Seed sown in a cold frame in spring, Semi-hardwood cuttings in summer
- Pest resistance
- Rosemary beetle, Cuckoo spit (froghoppers)
- Disease resistance
- Grey moulds (Botrytis), Honey fungus (rarely)
Frequently asked questions
Where is the best place to plant Lavandula 'Merle'?
Lavandula 'Merle' prefers full sun. It suits sheltered positions.
What soil does Lavandula 'Merle' need?
Lavandula 'Merle' is adaptable and grows happily in most soil types, including sandy, loamy and clay. It is happy in soil of any pH. Aim for soil that stays well-drained to moist but well-drained.
Is Lavandula 'Merle' hardy in the UK?
Lavandula 'Merle' has an RHS hardiness rating of H7, meaning it is fully hardy throughout the UK, tolerating temperatures below -20°C.
How do I propagate Lavandula 'Merle'?
Seed sown in a cold frame in spring, Semi-hardwood cuttings in summer.
More in the Lavandula genus
- Lavandulalavender
- Lavandula angustifolia 'Blue Mountain'English lavender 'Blue Mountain'
- Lavandula angustifolia 'Ellagance Ice' (Ellagance Series)English lavender 'Ellagance Ice'
- Lavandula angustifolia 'Felice Light Blue'PBREnglish lavender 'Felice Light Blue'
- Lavandula angustifolia 'Felice Purple'PBREnglish lavender 'Felice Purple'
- Lavandula angustifolia 'Lavender Haze'English lavender 'Lavender Haze'
- Lavandula angustifolia 'Nana Atropurpurea'English lavender 'Nana Atropurpurea'
- Lavandula angustifolia White Summer ('Florlavwh1'PBR)English lavender [White Summer]
![Lavandula angustifolia White Summer ('Florlavwh1'PBR) — English lavender [White Summer]](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/ef/%27Lavandula_angustifolia%27_Hidcote_cultivar_Henham_Essex_England.jpg/960px-%27Lavandula_angustifolia%27_Hidcote_cultivar_Henham_Essex_England.jpg)