“French Lavenders”: The Intermedia Group
Hi, I’m intermedia lavender and I’m a hybrid. The x in “Lavandula x intermedia” is botanical lingo for hybrid. I am a cross breed of English and Portuguese lavender. Much like a mule, I don’t have the ability to reproduce, my seeds are sterile. So yeah, I’m a clone. So what are you gonna do about it!? But understand, this makes me predictable and reliable as a cultivar.
I usually grow larger than my English Lavender neighbors and my fragrance is always stronger and longer lasting. Because of this, I usually don’t make a suitable food additive as my flavor is somewhat bitter. On the bright side, my scent has been known to repel some insects and is mildly germicidal.
My weaknesses are humidity and wet dirt (my roots will rot if they stay wet for more than a few days). I hate other plants and stagnant air. I love the wind and free draining soil! My ability to handle heat and dry soil out competes most other plants that grow in the Pacific Northwest. Wind keeps me feelin’ fresh and prevents fungal diseases from setting in. My triggers are clay soil, moist lawns, people that blink too much and bark mulch.
French Lavender: ‘Grosso’
Botanical Name: Lavandula x intermedia ‘Grosso’
Hi, my name is Grosso and I was discovered by Pierre Grosso in France in 1972 in an abandoned lavender field (tear). I can grow to be about 3’ tall by 3’ wide. My strength is my fragrance: I boast the strongest smell of all lavenders and I’m proud of it! And I produce more essential oil than most lavenders. I can also ward off bad juju from unruly humans.
French Lavender: “Super’
Botanical Name: Lavandula x intermedia ‘Super’
Hi! I’m Super and I think my name speaks for itself. I’m bigger than Grosso and I smell sweeter. My flowers aren’t as dark as the other intermedia, but I think that makes me appear trendier and wiser. I can grow up to 4’ wide by 4’ tall. I’m a fast grower and I can read your thoughts. But don’t worry, I’m a great listener and good at keeping secrets. I can also make a lot of essential oil if I’m in the right mindset.
French Lavender: ‘Gros Bleu’
Botanical Name: Lavandula x intermedia ‘Gros Bleu’
Try looking away from me. You just can’t. I’m the big beauty of the farm that the other lavenders envy. I can grow to be over 3’ by 3’. Sure, I don’t have the fragrance that some of the other lavenders boast about, but who needs to be smelly when you look as good as I do? My dark foliage compliments my deep violet gaze. Wink. I can produce a sporty scented essential oil, but only if I’m feeling challenged.
French Lavender: ‘Seal’
Botanical Name: Lavandula x intermedia ‘Seal’
Hi I’m Seal. I slipped into this farm masquerading as Grosso. Ha! I fooled them. Now I plan to take over the farm one plant at a time. Did I forget to mention that I'm the largest Lavender cultivar? Yeah, I am bigger than Super. You might notice me towering over the grosso. I can grow to over four feet tall! My scent is so spicy that gophers don’t even bother me. My flowers are a little lighter than Grosso, but that makes me stand out all the more!
French Lavender: ‘Provence’
Botanical Name: Lavandula x intermedia ‘Provence’
Provence, that’s my name and I answer to no-one. I’m famous for my appearance in the French lavender filled countryside. I’m unique because unlike other French lavenders, I am used for culinary purposes. I am the lavender used in the spice concoction “Herbs de Provence”, an essential component of French & Mediterranean cooking. I can grow to over 3’ by 3’ with long, elegant stems and a larger flower head. Also, you got humid air? Forget about it! I can handle high humidity better than any other lavender.
French Lavender: ‘Edelweiss’
Botanical Name: Lavandula x intermedia ‘Edelweiss’
Hi, I’m Edelweiss and I am the “pale rider” of the farm. In fact, I’m the palest of the intermedia group. I’m no apocalyptic horseman, but my flowers will always point you in the direction of your next adventure. Much like Brother Grosso, I can grow to be 3’ tall by 3’ wide, with long stems and a hefty flower. And don’t be mistaken by my white flowers: my color is light, but my fragrance is a heavyweight champion.
English Lavenders: The Angustifolia Group
Unlike my (air quotes) “French” brethren, I can reproduce from seed. And under just the right conditions, I may actually do it. The only downside is my seed grown children will be unpredictable and usually underperforming. Dare I say lazy? When grown from seed, I’m like a box of chocolates: you never know what your gonna get. However, when grown from cuttings (cloned) I am a top performer. I am true English lavender and proud of it.
And, I hate to point out the obvious, but my vibrant English lavender colors make “French” lavender look like shabby weeds. And did I forget to mention that I’m like, really cold tolerant? I can handle chills down to -20 F!
I usually grow smaller than my French Lavender neighbors and you might notice my stems are shorter. My fragrance is milder and I’m okay with that. Because of this, my flowers make a suitable food or tea additive as my flavor is somewhat sweeter and less perfumey. But my fragrance isn’t strong enough to ward off insects and lacks germicidal quality.
I cringe at high humidity and soggy soil. I prefer dry, fresh air and well-drained soil. I also despise other plants touching me and shady yards. I love the wind and full sun! My ability to handle cold temperatures and droughts makes me a great pick for ornamental worry-free gardens. My triggers are extreme heat waves, bark mulch, banjo music and humid lawns.
Royal Velvet
Botanical name: Lavandula angustifolia ‘Royal Velvet’
Hello, my friends. Yes, you can call me your highness. In fact, I expect it. My stems are longer than most other English lavenders, but that’s the royalty in me. I can grow to be about 2’ tall by 2’ wide, with a compact body and a hefty flower. My name says it all: velvety royal purple flowers with a scent that never fails to please. My likes are tight haircuts, summer windstorms and an occasional long drink. Dislikes are Elk (they smell bad and stomp all over me), bad jokes and whistling.
Folgate
Botanical Name Lavandula angustifolia ‘Folgate’
My name is Folgate and I’m a Capricorn. I work hard and produce some of the best tea in the lavender business. I can grow to almost 3’ tall by 3’ wide, with a tight form and an almost ultraviolet flower color. I like telling scary stories and spring rains. My dislikes are swallowtail butterflies (they are so smug!) and hailstorms.
Hidcote Blue
Botanical name Lavandula angustifolia ‘Hidcote Blue”
I am an English lavender and am one of the darkest lavenders on the farm. My stems are a little more leafy than my neighbors’, but that’s one aspect of my character that helps me to grow faster and more sturdy. I enjoy watching the ravens fly in and harass the bees, that’s my dark sense of wonder. I can grow to about 3’ tall by 3’ wide, with a formal shape and a deep violet gaze. I like watching crime dramas and warm spring rains. My dislikes are hailstorms and humid weather.
Maillette
Botanical name Lavandula angustifolia ‘Maillette”
My name is pronounced “May-ette” and I am an English lavender and my origin is from Valensole, France in the 1950’s. And speaking of France, I am the French favorite for producing essential oil. I can grow to almost 3’ tall by 3’ wide, with a freestyle shape and a warm violet flower hue. I like standup comedy and late spring frosts. My dislikes are lightning storms (they scare the heck outta me) and long heatwaves.