Lavandula angustifolia | English lavender

Also known as ‘common lavender’, this small aromatic species is compact and bushy. The flowers can range from pale to deep purple and are contained in short, dense spikes upon long, unbranched stalks.

Lavender is the ideal plant for a sensory garden, thanks to its uniquely textured flowers and foliage and calming scent.


Lavandula angustifolia Varieties

Lavandula angustifolia ‘Hidcote’

Flowering timeSummer
Sun requirementsFull sun
SoilWell-drained soil
HardinessHardy in most of the UK
SizeGrows to approx. 50cm x 100cm spread

Lavandula angustifolia ‘Munstead’

Flowering timeSummer
Sun requirementsFull sun
SoilWell-drained soil
HardinessHardy in most of the UK
SizeGrows to approx. 50cm x 100cm spread

Lavandula angustifolia ‘Platinum Blonde’ (Momparler)

Flowering timeSummer
Sun requirementsFull sun
SoilWell-drained soil
HardinessHardy in most of the UK
SizeGrows to approx. 50cm x 100cm spread

Lavandula angustifolia ‘Imperial Gem’

Flowering timeSummer
Sun requirementsFull sun
SoilWell-drained soil
HardinessHardy in most of the UK
SizeGrows to approx. 50cm x 50cm spread

Lavandula angustifolia ‘Melissa Lilac’

Flowering timeSummer – autumn
Sun requirementsFull sun
SoilWell-drained soil
HardinessHardy in most of the UK
SizeGrows to approx. 100cm x 50cm spread

Lavandula angustifolia ‘Arctic Snow’

Flowering timeSummer
Sun requirementsFull sun
SoilWell-drained soil
HardinessHardy in most of the UK
SizeGrows to approx. 50cm x 50cm spread

Lavandula angustifolia ‘Loddon Pink

Flowering timeSummer
Sun requirementsFull sun
SoilWell-drained soil
Hardiness Hardy in most of the UK
SizeGrows to approx. 50cm x 50cm spread

Lavandula angustifolia ‘Loddon Blue

Flowering timeSummer
Sun requirementsFull sun
SoilWell-drained soil
Hardiness Hardy to – cold winter
SizeGrows to approx. 50cm x 50cm spread

Lavandula x intermedia Exceptional (hillav)

Flowering timeSummer
Sun requirementsFull sun
SoilWell-drained soil
HardinessHardy in most of the UK
SizeGrows to approx. 80cm x 80cm spread

Lavandula angustifolia Beezee White

Flowering timeSummer
Sun requirementsFull sun
SoilWell-drained soil
HardinessHardy in most of the UK
SizeGrows to approx. 50cm x 50cm

Lavandula angustifolia Beezee Pink

Flowering timeSummer
Sun requirementsFull sun
SoilWell-drained soil
HardinessHardy in most of the UK
SizeGrows to approx. 50cm x 50cm spread

Lavandula angustifolia Beezee Light Blue

Flowering timeSummer
Sun requirementsFull sun
SoilWell-drained soil
HardinessHardy in most of the UK
SizeGrows to approx. 50cm x 50cm

Lavandula angustifolia Beezee Dark Blue

Flowering timeSummer
Sun requirementsFull sun
SoilWell-drained soil
HardinessHardy in most of the UK
SizeGrows to approx. 50cm x 50cm spread

Growing Guide

Planting

Lavender is best planted in spring. This allows the plant to make the most of the soil as it is beginning to warm up. For the happiest lavenders, make sure that they are planted in free-draining, poor or moderately fertile, alkaline or chalky soil.

If you have heavier soil but are determined to have lavender in your garden, add some organic matter before you plant it to improve the drainage.

Pruning

It is important to prune lavender after flowering. Cut it back to just below the flower stem, but not so far as the bare wood. In order to maintain a compact shape, it must be pruned every year. Whilst lavender is easy to grow and maintain, once it gets old and woody, it is very difficult to rejuvenate, so it is best to replace.

If growing in pots, add some coarse grit for improved drainage.

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Planting Ideas

Lavender looks beautiful when planted in front of pink roses, with the colours and scents combining to a heady effect. It also suits being planted with herbaceous perennials such as echinacea or aster, to create a dramatically bold border. Lavender, of course, can also be added to a herb garden, complementing other woody herbs that can cope with drought, such as rosemary.


Lavandula angustifolia Fact

The scent of lavender deters mice, flies, mosquitoes and other pests from the surrounding area and 2500 years ago, it was even used in ancient Egypt during the mummification process!