Lavandula (lav-AN-dyou-luh) Common Name:  Lavender Light:  - Full sun to part sun Soil:  Average to rich, well-drained Moisture:  Average, drought tolerant, dry in winter Blooms:  Summer Zones:  5 - 9

Lavandula 'Hidcote' Lavandula 'Munstead'

Lavandula Description and Cultural Information

Lavandula angustifolia, lavender. 2 - 3'. Lavender is a woody ornamental with gray-green, fragrant, needle-like, evergreen foliage. Flowers appear in summer on long spikes. Lavender-purple is the typical color but different cultivars have been bred with white, pink, blue, and purple shades. 'Alba' has pinkish white flowers. 'Hidcote' has rich purple flowers. 'Munstead' has blue-lilac flowers. 'Jean Davis' has pale pink flowers.

How to Grow:  Lavender grows best in average to rich, well-drained soil in full sun. Plants will tolerate some light shade and established plants are very drought tolerant. They will rot in wet soil, especially over the winter. Since lavender is a woody plant you should never cut plants to the ground in the fall. Trim back any winter kill in the spring but then they should be shaped lightly right after flowering to keep them nicely mounded.

Landscape uses:  Lavender is a great ornamental and a very fragrant herb for potpourri. Plant them in the rock garden or the dry perennial garden with tall bearded iris, yarrow, Dianthus, and sedum, or use them as a foundation for roses and flowering shrubs.