Lavender (Lavandula stoechas 'avonview', lavandula dentata 'french'; lavandula pedunculata 'blueberry ruffles'/ 'fairy wings radiance'/ fairy wings spellbound'/ 'fairy wings whimsical'/ 'vanilla berry ruffles'/ 'the snow Princess'/ 'Purple reign'/ 'the Queen'/ 'The King'/ 'The Prince'/ 'The Princess') Lavender is a charming evergreen known for its delightful purple blooms and soft silvery-green leaves, which are covered in tiny, star-shaped hairs called trichomes. These hairs contain oil glands that produce the plant's fragrant essential oil that has calming properties. Hailing from the sunny Mediterranean, this fragrant plant has long been a favorite in soaps, perfumes, and soothing aromatherapy. Its name, inspired by the Latin word "lavare," meaning "to wash," hints at its classic role in refreshing baths throughout history. Lavenders are tough little plants, but they’re not fans of soggy or sticky weather. Too much humidity or wet soil can invite pesky fungal infections and root rot. So, in Australia, pick the sunniest, driest spot in your garden to keep your lavender happy and thriving! Light requirement: Lavender needs at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight per day. Water requirement: Lavender dislikes wet feet and prefers dry, sandy, or gravelly soil. Watering frequency: Water frequently to establish plant, then it only requires minimal drinks.Soil: Well-draining, fertilised soil. Add organic matter like compost or farm manure to improve drainage in heavy or clay soils. Skill level: Suits Beginner/moderate Green thumb. Growth rate: Moderate to fast growth. Suitable for container gardens: Yes, perfect for the balcony in a pot. Seasonality: Evergreen Drought Tolerant: YesFrost Tolerant: Frost-sensitive and thrives in warmer climates. Wind Tolerant: Protect from strong winds. ‘Avonview’ - Also known as Spanish lavender, can be grown in warm climates but check local regulations. Compact, aromatic Italian lavender. Mature Height: 80cmMature Width: 60cm Leaf colour: Narrow, grey-green foliage Size of leaf: Lavender leaves are typically simple, narrow, and elongated Flower Colour: Deep-purple flowers Flower Shape: The flowers are borne on long stems. They are topped with long, showy bracts that resemble a butterfly in flight. Flower Fragrance: Highly fragrant leaves.Flower Season: Spring through to Summer ‘French' - More tolerant of humid climates and can be grown as short-lived plants in warm temperate and subtropical climates. French lavender is commonly used in herb gardens, borders, ornamental plantings, and can also be used in sachets and potpourri. Mature Height: 1mMature Width: 1m Leaf colour: Grey-green Size of leaf: Toothed leaves Flower Colour: Pale lavender-purple flowers Flower Shape: These flowers are typically borne in clusters and are surrounded by papery bracts of a similar color.Flower Fragrance: Highly fragrant leavesFlower Season: : Late spring to mid-autumn. ‘Blueberry ruffles' - compact, neat lavender variety, with dome-like displays on the plant. Mature Height: 60cm Mature Width: 80cm Leaf colour: Grey/green Flower Colour: Vibrant purple/blue flowers with distinctive ruffled petalsFlower Fragrance: Has aromatic foliageFlower Season: Bloom from early to mid-spring ‘Fairy wings -Radiance' - ribbon-like flowers that appear to have "wings" extending from the flower head. Drought-tolerant, Mature Height: 70cm Mature Width: 70cm Leaf colour: Grey-green foliage that is compact and neat Flower Colour: The "radiance" in the name refers to the bright, radiant pink color of the flower petals and the "wings" that extend from the flower head, resembling those of a fairy. Flower Fragrance: Highly fragrant leavesFlower Season: bloom from early winter to spring ‘Fairy wings -Spellbound' - Mature Height: 70cmMature Width: 70cm Leaf colour: silvery green Flower Colour: deep lavender Flower Shape: distinctive "ribbon-like" appearance, with petals that appear to float above the greenFlower Fragrance: Highly fragrant leavesFlower Season: The flowers appear for an extended period, often from late winter into summer, with the main flowering flush in early winter to spring. 'Fairy wings -Whimsical' - Bred for Australian conditions and is relatively low maintenance. Mature Height: 70cmMature Width: 70cm Leaf colour: Shiny green Flower Colour: Blush pink Flower Shape: Ribbon-like petals that resemble wingsFlower Fragrance: Highly fragrant leavesFlower Season: Late winter through spring 'Vanilla berry ruffles' - This lavender is bred in Australia and is known for its improved disease resistance and ability to thrive in sunny gardens. Mature Height: 60cmMature Width: 60cm Leaf colour: Grey-green foliage Flower Colour: The flowers themselves are a soft lavender color, but the cream-colored bracts create a visually stunning contrast. Flower Shape: prolific, large, ruffled,Flower Fragrance: Sweet, vanilla-like fragrance. Flower Season: flush in spring and repeat flowering throughout the season. 'The snow Princess' - Compact, evergreen lavender known for its long-lasting blooms, which repeat after the initial spring flush. Mature Height: 60cmMature Width: 60cm Leaf colour: grey-green foliage Flower Colour: pure white Flower Shape: winged flower spikesFlower Fragrance: Highly fragrant leavesFlower Season: from spring through autumn 'Purple reign' - low-growing, compact, and rounded plant Mature Height: 60cmMature Width: 60cm Leaf colour: grey-green foliage Flower Colour: vibrant, deep purple flowers Flower Shape: They are borne on spikes that rise above the foliageFlower Fragrance: Strong, sweet and floral fragrance, with notes of evergreen and woodniess. It also has a subtle powdery or smoky quality, and some may detect a medicinal scent closer to rosemary. The fragrance is released from both the flowers and the aromatic foliage.Flower Season: It flowers earlier than many other lavender varieties, with peak flowering in early spring, followed by spot flowering throughout the warmer months. 'The Queen' - This variety is compact, hardy, and well-suited for various garden settings, including borders, pots, and mass plantings. Mature Height: 60-90cmMature Width: 60-90cm Leaf colour: Grey-green Flower Colour: The flower heads are two-toned, featuring deep burgundy or purple bases with lilac-colored bracts on top. These bracts age to a deeper pink. Flower Shape: The spikes have large, showy bracts at the tips, which are a distinctive feature of this lavender.Flower Fragrance: It is described as being similar to other lavenders, with a floral, herbal, and slightly woody scent, often with powdery or smokey undertones. This variety is also noted for its fragrant foliage, which contributes to the overall aromatic experience. Flower Season: Spring through summer 'The King' - Able to tolerate dry periods, moderate frost, and coastal conditions Mature Height: 60cmMature Width: 60cm Leaf colour: Grey-green leaves Flower Colour: Vibrant purple Flower Shape: Produces masses of striking flower spikes. Flower Fragrance: The fragrance is described as refreshing, clean, and soothing. The flowers, especially, emit a strong scent, which is due to the high concentration of oil glands.Flower Season: Spring through summer 'The Prince' - Hardy, drought-tolerant, and coastal tolerant. Rounded shrub, suitable for containers, low hedging, and mass planting. Mature Height: 50cmMature Width: 60cm Leaf colour: silvery-green. Flower Colour: Deep purple-blue, with a dense, long-lasting display Flower Shape: Produces masses of striking flower spikes.Flower Fragrance: Fragrant foliage and flowers.Flower Season: Spring with a repeat flowering after the first flush. 'The Princess' - This lavender variety is compact, fragrant, and well-suited for various garden settings, including pots, borders, and mass plantings. Mature Height: 60cm-1mMature Width: 60cm-1m Leaf colour: Silver-grey Flower Colour: Vibrant, hot pink bracts (modified leaves) above the deep pink flowers Flower Shape: Produces masses of striking flower spikes.Flower Fragrance: Fragrant foliage and flowers.Flower Season: It flowers early, from late winter into spring and early summer, with sporadic flowering continuing through summer and autumn.
