Three new lavenders come from a collaboration involving two award-winning Kentish nurseries
Phoenix Ornamentals (previously East Malling Ornamentals) have an enviable track record in developing fine new shrubs including
Sambucus Black Lace (‘Eva’) and
Black Beauty (‘Gerda’) and the British Butterfly Series of buddlejas including
Adonis Blue (‘Adokeep’) and
Peacock (‘Peakeep’).
Lavender specialists
Downderry Nursery have won countless medals at Chelsea and Hampton Court flower shows. Owner Steve Charlesworth is admired around the world as an authority on lavenders and grows over 400 lavenders at his Kent nursery.
Now the two have come together in a DEFRA funded project to create a new series of shorter, British-bred, oil-rich lavender varieties ideally suited to our climate.
Developed initially for the production of lavender oil by British growers, these three in the Heavenly Series are of course rich in fragrance. They’re also neater and more compact than many lavenders so are ideal in containers and in today’s smaller gardens. All three were entered for this year’s
Chelsea Plant Of The Year competition; ‘Heavenly Scent’ (right) made the final shortlist and finished just outside the top three.
All feature grey-green evergreen foliage, flower in July and August, and are happiest in well-drained soil and a sunny position. All are best pruned immediately after flowering.
‘Heavenly Scent’ has purple flowers and reaches 55cm in height, spreading to 70cm.
‘Heavenly Night’ has dark, violet blue flowers and reaches 55cm in height, spreading to 70cm.
‘Heavenly Angel’ (left) has white flowers, reaches 55cm but spreads more widely to 80cm.
You can find out more about Heavenly Lavenders at
HeavenlyLavender.com.
'Heavenly Night' and Heavenly Scent' are also available from the
Wisley Plant Centre.
** Please note the contents of this blog reflect the views of its author and are not necessarily those of the RHS **
