Well-drained soil, winter mulch and a planting site near stone or concrete footing to create a heat sink should see it through all but the harshest winter. Lavender blooms midsummer to early fall.
Lavandula x intermedia ‘Grosso’ is a classic French hybrid grown for its fragrant dark blue flower spikes and vigorous growth habit. With nice wide gray-green foliage, ‘Grosso’ is a large grower and blooms heavily providing an ample harvest of flowers for lavender wands, sachets, and culinary use. Grows 24-30″ high and wide. Hardy to Zone 5.
Lavandula x intermedia ‘Provence Blue’ is tolerant of poor soils and is a true heat lover; it’s even known to withstand heavy doses of summertime humidity. One of the tallest and most fragrant varieties, ‘Provence’ grows to be 30-36” tall and makes a great aromatic hedge. Exceptionally long, mauve-purple spikes of flowers. Hardy to Zone 5.
Lavandula angustifolia ‘Munstead’ is a compact, early-flowering English lavender first introduced in 1916 and reportedly named for Munstead Woods in England where the plant was grown by garden designer Gertrude Jekyll. Grows 12-18″ high and wide. Hardy to Zone 5, ‘Munstead’ is rated as the hardiest lavender in plant trials by the Chicago Botanic Garden.
Lavender angustifolia ‘Hidcote Blue’, is a free-flowering dwarf lavender that produces deep purple flower spikes in late spring and summer. A great lavender plant for a dwarf hedge, edging, or for massing. This lavender scent is strongest in dry, sunny locations. Plant in well-drained soil in full sun. Grows 12-18″ tall and wide. Zone 4 cold hardiness.
Lavandula angustifolia ‘Sweet Romance’ is our newest cultivar and seems destined to become a favorite with earlier bloom time, typically in early summer and lasting into early fall. Grey-green foliage forms a compact mound topped with plump, rich violet purple flower wands that are perfect for cutting for fresh and dried bouquets. Clusters of tiny flowers appear at the nodes up the stem in addition to the terminal inflorescence, adding color down into the plant. Zone 5.
Lavandula x ginginsii ‘Goodwin Creek Gray’ is a French lavender. This variety was selected for its superior silvery-gray foliage and bright violet-blue flowers. The plant is more tolerant of heat and humidity than other varieties and has a longer bloom time. Cold hardy to Zone 7, this lavender can be grown as an annual or brought indoors to winter. See indoor care instruction on tab to the right.
Overwintering lavender indoors.
For best results a grow light set to provide 14-16 hours of light will make lavender happiest in winter. Nighttime temperature should not fall below 60°F. Like most silver-leaved plants, lavender is accustomed to growing in very dry, lean soil. Water only when the top inch of the potting mix is dry to the touch.
As flowers fade use scissors to cut off the spike close to where it attaches to the stem. Maintain the overall shape of your plant by pinching new shoots. Pinch each shoot between thumb and forefingers; do not shear!
Attracts beneficial insects including hoverflies and bees.
Foliage is heavenly scented and can be used fresh or dried. Essential oils can be extracted using grape oil. Wonderful used to add fragrance to stored clothing, baths and items like soap or lotions. Sometimes used for flavoring desserts.