English Lavender

English Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) is Provence you can plant right under your window. The narrow grey-green leaves keep their silvery tone even in winter, and above them, on long leafless stems, sway dense purple spikes that fill the garden with a warm, resinous scent.

It flowers from June to August, so a drift at the front of a border, in a rock garden or along a path hums with bees for half the summer. The plant holds 0.6-0.9 m in height and 0.6-1.2 m across. There is one condition: full sun only, on light sandy, well-drained soil, as lavender never forgives standing water.

Key characteristics:

• What makes it special: The flower spikes carry a strong, calming scent, and the grey-green leaves release their aroma at the lightest touch, holding colour even in winter.
• Dimensions: 0.6-0.9 m tall and 0.6-1.2 m wide at maturity.
• Hardiness: Hardy to -29 °C (USDA zone 5).
• Flowering: From June to August the clump is covered with purple spike-like inflorescences.
• Light: Full sun only; in shade the plant grows leggy, flowers less freely and falls ill more often.
• Soil: Happiest on light sandy, lean, well-drained soil of neutral or alkaline reaction.
• Watering: Water sparingly - lavender is drought-tolerant, while overwatering and standing water bring root rot.
• Care: Cut off the spent flower spikes, shape the bush in spring once the new leaves appear, and rejuvenate it to 20 cm every 3 years.
• Landscape use: The front of a mixed border, a rockery, a herb and fragrance garden, a low edging and mass plantings.