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English Lavender, True Lavender
Scientific Name: Lavandula angustifolia P. Mill.
Synonym: Lavandula officinalis, Lavandula spica, Lavandula vera
Family: Lamiaceae

Show Larger Picture Lavandula angustifolia ssp. angustifolia at the Paris's Jardin des Plantes in June

Recommended Temperature Zone: sunset: 4-24 USDA: 5-9 Heat Tolerance: Resists summer heat in low deserts when established Sun Exposure: Full sun Origin: Western Mediterranean basin, in rocky, calcareous areas Growth Habits: Evergreen shrub, 2 to 4 feet tall (0.6-1.2 m), and wide; narrow grey leaves, with smooth margins, up to 1.6 inches long (4 cm), woolly when juvenile Watering Needs: Moderate water, well drained soil Propagation: Softwood cuttings in spring, side shoot cuttings taken in the fall and kept in a cold frame, layering, division, since the seeds are not always germinating very well and don't come true to the varieties.

Cultural Practices:
Plant in full sun, 12 inches apart (30 cm). Lavender do fine in somewhat infertile soils. They can be clipped to make low hedges.

Propagation:
The English Lavender has purplish blue flowers in summer, up to 0.5 inch long, on non branching stems. Some cultivars are pink or pinkish white.