About
This tender, evergreen shrub about 75cm high and wide, and aromatic, serrated, silvery grey-green leaves, and branched flowering stems 30-60cm long topped by slender spikes 4-10cm long of large, aromatic, lavender-violet flowers with darker violet-blue calyces in summer, and intermittenly through the year.
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 hardinessH1C
Plant details
Plant typeShrubs, Conservatory Greenhouse
HabitBushy
FoliageEvergreen
Height0.5-1 metres
Spread0.5-1 metres
Time to full height2-5 years
Suggested usesPatio and container plants, Coastal, Mediterranean climate plants, Cottage and informal garden, City and courtyard gardens, Sub-tropical
FragranceFlower, Foliage
Care notes
CultivationIn frost-free climates, grow in full sun in well-drained soil; in frost-prone areas grow in containers outside during summer but move under glass and keep at above 5C in cold weather; 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)