English Lavender, True Lavender

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

Flowers: Pink, purple or blue flowers

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.

This is the lavender cultivated for the lavender essence used in perfumes, oils and soaps. The buds should be harvested just before they open.

Culture:
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.