Lavandula angustifolia Melissa Lilac ('Dow4'PBR)
English lavender [Melissa Lilac]
A hardy shrub, that reaches around 60cm in height, with grey-green foliage and scented flower spikes from mid summer until autumn. Flowers are dark purple in bud, opening to a much lighter mauve, giving a two-tone effect
Size
Ultimate height
0.5–1 metresTime to ultimate height
2–5 yearsUltimate spread
0.1–0.5 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Well–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Grey Silver Green | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Purple | Grey Silver Green | ||
| Autumn | Purple | Grey Silver Green | ||
| Winter | Grey Silver Green |
Position
- Full sun
Aspect
South–facing or West–facing or East–facing
Exposure
ShelteredDrought resistance
Yes Hardiness
H5Botanical details
- Family
- Lamiaceae
- Native to the UK
- No
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Habit
- Bushy
- Genus
Lavandula are small aromatic evergreen shrubs with usually narrow, simple, entire, toothed or lobed leaves and small tubular flowers in dense spikes in summer
- Name status
Trade
How to grow
Cultivation
Plant in a sunny spot with free-draining soil. See lavender cultivation for further advice
Propagation
Propagate by semi-ripe cuttings in summer
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- Patio and container plants
- Wildlife gardens
- Mediterranean climate plants
- City and courtyard gardens
- Coastal
- Cottage and informal garden
- Gravel garden
- Rock garden
- Banks and slopes
- Flower borders and beds
- Garden edging
Pruning
Prune after flowering to stop it becoming woody and leggy
Pests
May be susceptible to rosemary beetle and cuckoo spit (froghoppers)
Diseases
May be susceptible to grey moulds (Botrytis) and honey fungus (rarely)
Get involved
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