Lavandula x intermedia ‘Provence’ (Lavender)

Many superlatives can be used to describe Lavandin ‘Provence’ (Lavandula x Intermedia) as it is one of the best lavenders for humid summers, one of the lavenders with the strongest fragrance, and one of the best lavenders for creating hedges. This prolific bloomer provides an abundant display of exceptionally large flower spikes featuring exquisite pale lavender highlights from mid to late summer. Commonly known as ‘Fat Lavender’, its flower heads can reach up to 3 in. long (8 cm).

• Evergreen in warm winter climates, this tall lavender grows 3 ft. tall (90 cm) in a tight and tidy mound of silver-green foliage that bears one of the most attractive foliage colors of all lavenders. Both foliage and flowers are extremely aromatic.
• Thrives in full sun and blooms from mid to late summer. It performs best in dry to medium, poor, light, sandy, alkaline, and well-drained soils. Excellent drainage and air circulation are essential, specifically in hot, humid climates. Lavender ‘Provence’ is one of the best lavenders for humid summers as it can withstand hotter and more humid temperatures than many other lavender varieties.
• Drought, deer, rabbit, and dry soil tolerant and a real magnet for bees and butterflies!
• It is a great candidate for herb gardens, borders, or rock gardens and provides a stunning effect in mass plantings. Individual plants also make good showy specimens in the garden, but leave some room around the plants to enable the flower stems to fully display their natural, glorious curves.
• Remove faded flowers to encourage further blooms. Prune to shape in spring after the new leaves appear.

Lavandin (Lavandula x Intermedia) is a popular hybrid lavender combining the cold-hardiness of the English lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) and the heat tolerance of the Portuguese lavender (Lavandula latifolia), therefore providing an answer to the gardeners’ worldwide quest for a Provencal atmosphere in their gardens. These Lavender plants are usually taller than the English Lavender and grow in shrubby compact mounds up to 36 in. tall (90 cm). They are adorned with long, loose spikes of highly fragrant flowers, ranging from dark violet to white from early to late summer. The cultivars of this group of Lavenders tend to be more tolerant of acidic conditions.