Common Name: lavender
Type: Herbaceous perennial
Family: Lamiaceae
Zone: 5 to 8
Height: 1.50 to 2.00 feet
Spread: 1.50 to 2.00 feet
Bloom Time: July to August
Bloom Description: Purple
Sun: Full sun
Water: Dry to medium
Maintenance: Medium
Suggested Use: Herb
Flower: Showy, Fragrant
Leaf: Colorful, Fragrant
Attracts: Butterflies
Tolerate: Deer, Drought, Dry Soil, Shallow-Rocky Soil
Culture
Grow in average, dry to medium, well-drained, alkaline soil in full sun. Lavandin can be difficult to grow in the St. Louis area, primarily because of winter stresses and high summer humidity. Well-drained soils are required, particularly in winter. Root rot commonly attacks plants grown in poorly drained soils. Prefers a light, sandy soil with somewhat low fertility. Remove faded flowers to promote continued bloom. Prune to shape in spring after new leaves appear. Prune back to 8” every 3 years in spring to control plant size and to promote robust, new growth. High summer humidity in the St. Louis area is not appreciated. To combat high humidity, consider using rock instead of organic mulch. Not reliably winter hardy throughout USDA Zone 5 where it appreciates a sheltered location and winter protection.
Noteworthy Characteristics
Lavandin (L. angustifolia × L. latifolia) is a popular hybrid lavender for the herb garden. Although it is rarely used for culinary purposes, it is frequently used as an aromatic addition to sachets and potpourris. It is a semi-woody plant that typically grows in a shrubby mound to 2-4’ tall. Gray-green leaves (to 2 1/2” long and 1/4” wide) on square stems. Flowers appear in terminal spikes (to 4” long) in summer. Both foliage and flowers are highly aromatic. Leaves are evergreen in warm winter climates. Hybrid cultivars vary somewhat in habit, flower color, aromatic intensity and bloom time.
Genus name comes from the Latin word lavo meaning I wash in reference to a former use of the plant as an aromatic wash.
Hybrid designation means intermediate.
'Niko' is an upright, compact selection of lavandin that features clusters of fragrant, purple flowers on flowering stalks reaching up to 1' tall. The fragrant, silvery foliage is held on sturdy, upright branches. This cultivar exhibits a relatively fast growth rate and will reach up to 2' tall with an equal spread. Commonly found sold under the trade name PHENOMENAL. 'Niko' was discovered growing in a field of Lavandula × intermedia 'Grosso'. It is protected by patent number PP24193.
Problems
Susceptible to leaf spot and root rot. Plants may not survive in winter if soils are not well-drained and/or if temperatures dip below zero degrees without protective snow cover. Deer and rabbits tend to avoid this plant.
'Niko' offers increased resistance to Pythium infections, which can cause stem and root rot.
Uses
This is a versatile garden perennial that should be considered for a wide variety of uses and not just relegated to a corner of the herb garden. Flowers and gray-green leaves provide mid-summer color and contrast to the perennial border front, rock garden, herb garden or scented garden. Can be particularly effective when massed. Also effective as an edger.