Scientific Name
Lavandula latifolia Medik.
Common Name(s)
Spike Lavender, Broadleaved Lavender, Portuguese Lavender
Synonym(s)
Lavandula angustifolia, Lavandula cladophora, Lavandula decipiens, Lavandula erigens, Lavandula guinardii, Lavandula hybrida, Lavandula inclinans, Lavandula interrupta, Lavandula major, Lavandula ovata, Lavandula spica var. latifolia
Scientific Classification
Family: Lamiaceae
Subfamily: Nepetoideae
Tribe: Ocimeae
Genus: Lavandula
Flower
Color: Pale lilac
Bloom Time: June to September
Description
Lavandula latifolia is an intensely aromatic shrub that grows up to 2.6 feet (80 cm) tall. Leaves are evergreen, up to 2.4 inches (6 cm) long, and up to 0.3 inches (8 mm) wide. Flowers are pale lilac, produced on up to 2 inches (5 cm) long spikes at the top of slender, leafless, up to 20 inches (50) cm long stems. They appear from June to September, depending on the weather.
Hardiness
USDA hardiness zone 5a to 9a: from −20 °F (−28.9 °C) to 25 °F (−3.9 °C).
How to Grow and Care
As with most plants, your success in growing this coveted plant will depend on what kind of growing conditions you can provide and which varieties you select to grow. Lavender plants will tolerate many growing conditions but thrive in warm, well-drained soil and full sun.
Like many plants grown for their essential oils, lean soil will encourage a higher concentration of oils. Likewise, alkaline or especially chalky soil will enhance lavender's fragrance.
Although most Lavenders are labeled hardy in USDA Zones 5 – 9, while you can grow Lavender in USDA Hardiness Zone 5, you will unlikely have a Lavender hedge. More realistically, you can expect to have plants that will do well when the weather cooperates and experience the occasional loss of a plant or two after a severe winter or a wet, humid summer.
See more at How to Grow and Care for Lavender.
Origin
This species is native to the western Mediterranean region, from central Portugal to northern Italy through Spain and southern France.
Links
- Back to genus Lavandula
- Plantpedia: Browse flowering plants by Scientific Name, Common Name, Genus, Family, USDA Hardiness Zone, or Origin
Photo Gallery
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