Common name    

English Lavender

Genus

Lavandula

Species

angustifolia

Cultivar

‘Hidcote’

Family

Lamiaceae

History

Legend tells how a certain grey Mediterranean shrub was used as a clothes drier by the Virgin Mary to spread the infant Jesus’s washed clothes out to dry. After she had collected the tiny garments from the plant it was left with the most beautifully fragrant perfume as a reward. The Greeks & Romans used the oil from the leaves in their bathing rituals. It was also used for strewing on the floors of houses.

First introduction to England

Roman Britain

Introduced by

Probably the Romans

Native Origin

Mediterranean

Habitat

Hot & dry, rocky habitats

Habit

Bushy dwarf evergreen shrub

Flower colour

Description

Purple scented flowers

Foliage colour

Description

Grey/Silver aromatic

Growth Rate / Height / Spread

Slow/0.5m/1.0m

Design Features

Other Useful Species within Genus

Lavandula angustifolia ‘Loddon Pink’ – dusky pink flowers

Lavandula x intermedia ‘Alba’ – white flowers Lavandula stoechas supsp. pendunculata – French lavender

Landscape use

Banks and Slopes, , Coastal, , Drought Resistant, Flowers Borders and Beds, , Gravel Garden, , Patio/Container Plants,

Design purpose

Structural planting.

Scent, attracting wildlife, border edging

Suitability to garden style

City/Courtyard Gardens Rock Garden or Wildlife Gardens. Mediterranean Cottage/Informal Garden

Potential Drawbacks

Needs careful pruning to maintain shape and prevent from coming woody. Relatively short lived plant

Safety Considerations

None

Plant associations

Salvia x sylvestris 'Mainacht', Echinops ritro, Perovskia 'Blue Spire', Stachys byzantina, Artemisia 'Powis Castle', Eryngium giganteum

Companion plant for Rosa sp.

Soil type preference

Chalk, Clay, Loam or Sand.

Fertility

The best scent is gained by growing in relatively unfertile soils

Ph

Acid, Alkaline or Neutral

Drainage

Well-drained

Aspect/Positioning

East west or south facing. Sheltered

Hardiness

Fully hardy

Maintenance

Although very drought tolerant, lavender needs watering until established. Avoid high nitrogen feeds which encourages soft growth. Prune newly planted lavender hard to encourage bushy growth. The hardy lavenders (L. angustifolia) should be pruned every year to keep them compact. On established plants remove flower stalks and about 2.5cm (1in) of the current year's growth, making sure that some green growth remains. Lavender does not shoot readily from old wood and neglected specimens are best replaced. Established plants do not usually transplant and it is better to buy a replacement.

Propagation

Semi hardwood cuttings