English lavender

RHS Genus Guide

English lavender is a favourite in cottage gardens and herb beds. It also suits contemporary garden styles and makes an aromatic border edging around vegetable or herb plots. It is the hardiest lavender (cultivars of Lavandula angustifolia and L. × intermedia) and is very attractive to bees and butterflies.

Appearance

L. angustifolia is a bushy shrub with strongly aromatic silvery or grey-green leaves and dense flower spikes of fragrant flowers. Cultivars in shades of purple to blue, pink and white, flower from early summer. It grows from 30-90cm (1-3ft) tall. L. × intermedia is slightly later flowering.

Preferences

Lavender is a sun-lover and ideal for Mediterranean-style and contemporary planting. It must have free-draining soils and thrives in poor, sandy or chalky soil.

Dislikes

Lavender hates heavy wet soils particularly in winter and it also dislikes shade. Even though English lavender is generally hardy throughout the UK, avoid planting in cold spots. Don’t prune it hard into old, bare wood as it will not regenerate well.

Did you know?

These plants have long been grown for their oils that are used in perfumes. Fields of purple are a common sight in many parts of the Mediterranean and a few sites in the UK. Leaves and flowers can be dried to make lavender bags, pot pourri and even used in baking.

RHS Growing Guide