LAVANDULA
LAVANDULA
Commonly known as lavender
Timeless favourites which bring to mind the perfect cottage garden, butterflies and bees, and summery clumps of purple lavender.
"English lavender" is generally used to describe L. angustifolia, the hardiest species. The name is shared with the hybrid L. angustifolia x L. latifolia (spike lavender).
L. stoechas (French lavender), pedunculata cultivars and other hybrids are less hardy and can suffer in hard winters.
Genus of about 23 species of aromatic, evergreen shrubs and subshrubs from dry, sunny, exposed rocky habitats from the Canary Islands, the Mediterranean (English lavender) and northeastern Africa to southwestern Asia and India.
Leaves and flower heads, when harvested before fully open, are dried and used in pot-pourri.
Many species have a very high nectar content making them particularly attractive to bees.
All are suitable for containers where the environment can be controlled to suit less hardy varieties.
Full Plant Details - Sun/Soil & other attributes
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Floweringlocal_floristJanlocal_floristFeblocal_floristMarlocal_floristAprlocal_floristMaylocal_floristJunlocal_floristJullocal_floristAuglocal_floristSeplocal_floristOctlocal_floristNovlocal_floristDec
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Good to know
Trim back in April. Do not cut into old wood. Wildlife plant - insects -
Pests & Diseases
Froghoppers, grey mould -
Place of origin
Garden origin. David Christie, Jersey Lavender -
Resistant to honey fungusThese plants have little or few problems with honey fungus.
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EvergreenInversely lance-shaped, silver-grey leaves to 5cm (2in) long
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Purple
Shades of purple/mauve/lilac/violetDark purple -
SpikesDense spikes 8-10cm (3-4in) long
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Tubular
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Coastal / windsweptSuitable for open site, slightly back from the sea
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Patio / pot plants
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Suitable for small gardens
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Frost hardy (down to -5)
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Entire
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Oblanceolate
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Height
70cm (28in) -
Spread
70cm (28in)
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Dwarf shrubTypically only grows to a maximum of one or two feet in height but there will be some exceptions.Compact, bushy shrub with long, unbranched stalks
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Pruning group 7
Suitable for: Evergreen shrubs that flower on previous year's growth in Spring, or current year's growth in late Summer/Autumn.
Action: Cut back flowered shoots to within 1 inch of previous year's growth.
When: Annually after flowering or in Spring if flowering on current year's growth.
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Hardy - average winter
Hardy through most of the UK apart from inland valleys, at altitude and central/northerly locations. May suffer foliage damage and stem dieback in harsh winters in cold gardens. Plant can withstand temperatures down to -10°C (14°F) -
Scented flowers
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Scented foliage
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Summer Seasonal Interest
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Fertile well drained soilModerately fertile
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Full sun
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Bee friendly
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Butterfly friendly
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Mature Size70cm (28in)
70cm (28in)
