Lavender comes in many different varieties. I have planted a selection that should appeal to everyone's tastes and needs! Lavender thrives in full sun and good drainage and there should be a spot in everyone's garden for this particular little plant.
Most varieties can be picked for fresh or dried use. Not many people realise how wonderful it is in water. Instead of cutting a few roses for your kitchen table, why not cut some of your lavender to put with it. It's as good as any cut flower!!
Everybody has their favourite lavender. Some visitors are quite surprised at the different textures and colours the garden has to offer. Not everybody likes the idea of a pink hedge, but when you see how many insects are drawn to it, one can only be encouraged that maybe by just having a few plants of that variety in their own garden, would help balance out the other bugs we don't like too much!
Imperial Gem - grows to about 18" high. Produces very dark purple blooms and an intense fragrance. This is the most popular and well-known lavender variety. Everybody loves this little gem. Very popular for use as hedging because of the strong colour. The foliage goes wonderfully silvery in winter.
Hidcote - grows to about 20" high. A sub-variety of English Lavender, Hidcote has superb dark blue blossoms, has a great fragrance and dries well for craft or culinary uses. Also popular in bouquets for weddings and is also suitable for hedging or can be enjoyed just as much in a pot or border.
Grosso - grows up to 24". Grown principally for oil and pot pourri. Grosso plants provide thick, medium-width leaves featuring one of the most delightful foliage colors - a deep purple bloom. Some find it too large for the garden paths as it is a little more reckless in its growth than the smaller varieties. However, you can still enjoy this wonderful plant by placing it in a tub or pot. This year, I planted 'Seal' which is very similar to Grosso, but has a slightly paler foliage. Wonderful strong stems with a large flower head. Excellent as a cut flower.
Hidcote Pink - Similar size to purple Hidcote, this sumptuous, candy floss pink gives off a deliciously citrussy scent. Its slightly later flowering than Miss Katherine below, but very popular with the butterflies.
Miss Katherine -Another sumptuous pink that would enhance any border. Again wonderfully pleasant fragrance and great for salads! Slightly greener foliage and a must for any back door. Always the very first to flower in my garden. The butterflies go wild for this lavender, as do the bees. Looks wonderful in brides bouquets, and in the flowers themselves, you can see a faint hint of soft lilac. Gorgeous!!
Grosso Alba - Tall and slender, this wonderful icicle-like plant is exquisite in both appearance and fragrance. Equally stunning either fresh or dried, this unusual lavender would add the final touch to any border. Don't be put off by the rumours - this white wonder is not difficult to grow!
Bowles Early - Similar to Hidcote in size, but is the most fabulous pale lilac. Unlike its name, it is one of the later lavenders to flower. Offers a wonderful lime green foliage during the winter months and if I was honest, its probably my favourite. Excellent for hedges and very pretty in bridal flowers especially when used to soften the more bolder colours of other lavender flowers.