Lavandula pedunculata subsp. pedunculata
French lavender ( syn. Lavandula Papillon )
- Position: full sun
- Soil: moderately fertile, well-drained soil
- Rate of growth: average
- Flowering period: June to July
- Hardiness: borderline hardy (may need winter protection)
From fat, round flowerheads, slender mauve petals emerge like butterfly wings, fluttering in the breeze among the aromatic, grey-green leaves. Like most French lavenders, it's earlier flowering than its English cousins, but when they are planted together, they will offer a prolonged season of interest. The flower-spikes are also a magnet for bees and other nectar-loving insects - and they look wonderful when planted en masse in a protected, sunny border where their heady fragrance can be enjoyed. In colder regions, grow it in a pot so it can easily be moved to a cool greenhouse or conservatory during the winter. - Garden care: Keep plants compact by cutting back the spent flower stalks after they have faded. Then, in April, trim back again, taking care not to cut into the old wood.
Goes well with...
-
Artemisia 'Powis Castle'
wormwood
9cm pot
-
Salvia × sylvestris 'Mainacht'
sage ( syn. Salvia May Night )
9cm pot
-
Perovskia 'Blue Spire'
Russian sage ( syn. Salvia Blue Spire )
2 litre pot
-
Lavandula angustifolia Melissa Lilac ('Dow4') (PBR)
lavender
2 litre pot
-
Cirsium rivulare 'Atropurpureum'
brook thistle
9cm pot