Lavandula angustifolia or Common/English Lavender is a wonderful plant for its flowers and fragrant plant parts. It's lavender-purple flowers are a beautiful addition to the Wilson County Arboretum and Botanical Gardens at 1806 S. Goldsboro Street and gives it the distinction of Octobers Plant of the Month.

Lavender has evergreen gray-green foliage and typically grows 1-2 feet high and wide. The foliage is fine textured and aromatic. It is hardy from Zones 5 to 8b. Wilson is in Hardiness Zone 7b.

Lavender has a stately habit with a woody base that forms a broad cushion mound. It is a refined plant that must be from it's proper English heritage. It is considered a slow grower in the landscape.

Flowers are typically purple but selections have been made varying from white, pink, blue, violet, lilac and beyond. Flowers are borne on long spikes in June-August although still blooming in October in the Wilson Arboretum and Botanical Garden. Dried flowers can be used for sachets and other items. English lavender is the source of true lavender oil.

Lavender can be hard to perennialize in Eastern North Carolina. One reason is it demands a well-drained if not a dry soil with neutral to alkaline soils. A wet winter soil will do this plant in. Full sun is preferred. Lavender has no reported diseases or insects.

Lavender is essential in any herb garden. It can be used for a border or pruned into a small hedge. Best used in mass for foliage and flower effect. It can be used for a texture and colored contrast with evergreen shrubs.

Several cultivars are available including 'Hidcote' which was selected by Hidcote Gardens in 1950. I was forunate enough to visit Hidcote on my study tour of English gardens in 2001. It has rich purple flowers borne on 10-15 inch long stalks. Compact growth habit. 'Munstead' is associated with Gertrude Jekyll and the Munstead Garden. It gorws 16-18 inches tall with blue-lilac flowers.

Lavender can be grown from seed. Cuttings can also be rooted In August or September but success is limited due to excessive water inpropagation systems.

French lavender, Lavandula stoechas, may be better adapted to our climate. It has flwoers with bracts that looks like butterflies.

The Wilson County Arboretum and Botanical Garden, at 1806 S. Goldsboro Street and is open from dawn until dusk. Come visit the garden! Gardening questions can be answered, Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 1 until 3 PM by calling 237-0113.

Date Created: 7/11/03.