Species

Lavandula angustifoliaEnglish Lavender

24 other cultivars

perennial

English Lavender

Lavandula angustifolia 'Essence Purple'

The Story

Plant Bio

Lavandula angustifolia, commonly known as English lavender, is a woody-based perennial subshrub native to the dry, rocky Mediterranean region of southern Europe. It produces highly aromatic, narrow, blue-green to silvery gray-green evergreen foliage and upright spikes of whorled flowers.

'Essence Purple' is distinguished by its exceptionally uniform, compact, rounded ball-shaped growth habit and deep blueberry-purple flower spikes. This cultivar begins blooming up to ten days earlier than standard selections, maintaining a dense canopy of color from early to late summer.

Uses & Benefits:

Provides a highly uniform, rounded form with dense, silvery-gray foliage and vibrant purple flower spikes.

Highly aromatic foliage and flowers are excellent for dried arrangements, potpourri, and essential oil extraction.

Attracts and supports a wide range of beneficial insect pollinators, including honeybees, bumblebees, and butterflies.

SpeciesLavandula angustifoliaEnglish Lavender

Essentials

At a Glance

Plant Type

Perennial

Height

24"

Width

24"

Light

Full Sun

Zones

5, 6, 7, 8, 9

Water

Low

Humidity

Low to Moderate

Lifespan

Perennial

Native To

Mediterranean Europe

Toxicity

Toxic to Pets

Bloom period

Early summer – Late summer

In flower about 3 months of the year

Planting

How to Grow

Select a planting site that receives at least six hours of direct, unobstructed sunlight daily.
Amend heavy soils with coarse sand, gravel, or grit to ensure rapid, sharp drainage.
Dig a hole twice the width of the root ball and plant so the crown sits slightly above the surrounding soil level.
Water sparingly during the first growing season to establish the root system, then reduce watering to xeric levels.

Pro Tip

Plant in lean, gritty, mineral-rich soil with sharp drainage and full sun; overwatering or planting in rich, organic loam inevitably triggers fatal root rot.

Keep It Thriving

Care Guide

Do

Plant in low-fertility, gritty, or sandy mineral soils with a neutral to alkaline pH.
Prune lightly in early spring to shape the plant and stimulate fresh growth from the base.
Shear off spent flower spikes immediately after the primary bloom flush to encourage secondary re-blooming.

Don't

Do not plant in heavy, rich organic soils or wet, compacted clays.
Do not prune hard into old, leafless, woody stems, as the plant fails to resprout from dead wood.
Do not overwater or apply heavy fertilizers, which cause weak, leggy growth and root rot.

Seasonal Care Calendar

Task	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Deadhead
Pest Check
Propagate
Prune

Watch Out For

Pests & Diseases

Common Pests

Common Diseases

In the Garden

Landscape Uses & Companions

Landscape Uses

Border EdgingRock GardensLow HedgesMass PlantingsContainer Specimens

Companion Plants

Rosmarinus officinalis Salvia officinalis Thymus vulgaris Artemisia Achillea

Multiply

Propagation Methods

Good to Know

Common Questions

English Lavender questions

What zones can English Lavender grow in?

English Lavender is hardy in USDA Zones 5–9. Inside that range it survives winter in the ground; outside it, grow it as an annual or a container plant you protect.

Is English Lavender deer resistant?

Yes — English Lavender is rated deer-resistant. Deer typically pass it over, though extreme hunger can override any plant's defenses.

When does English Lavender bloom?

English Lavender typically blooms in early summer through late summer. Exact timing shifts a week or two with your zone — Sow's bloom calendar maps it to your garden.

Does English Lavender need full sun?

English Lavender does best in full sun (6+ hours).

Is English Lavender drought tolerant?

Yes — once established (usually after the first full season), English Lavender handles dry spells with minimal watering. Water deeply its first year to build the root system that makes that possible.