Lavandula 'Grosso'

Lavandula 'Grosso': Big Bundles of French Perfume

Deep violet spikes on long, slender stems with a fragrance strong enough to knock out a hockey bag. 'Grosso' is the heavy hitter of the lavender world and TURNS THE WHOLE YARD INTO A SACHET.

Plant Characteristics:

• Botanical Name: Lavandula x intermedia 'Grosso'
• Common Name: Lavandin, Lavender
• Height: 60–75 cm (24–30 in)
• Spread: 45–60 cm (18–24 in)
• Flowers: Deep violet-purple spikes on long, slender stems. Very fragrant.
• Bloom Time: Midsummer, often repeating into early fall (July to September)
• Foliage: Narrow, silvery grey-green and aromatic
• Features: Excellent for drying

Where to Plant: Plant it in a row along a sunny walk, mass it on a dry slope, or give it a hot spot near the patio where you'll brush the stems. The long stems make it one of the easiest lavenders to bundle for drying, sachets and wreaths.

Companion Plants: Use 'Grosso' in a sunny, dry bed with blue rock cress, compact Russian sage and pink beardtongue. Aubrieta 'Rock On Blue' carpets the front at 10 to 15 cm with blue-purple flowers from April to June. Perovskia 'CrazyBlue' adds compact violet-blue spires at 40 to 45 cm from July to September. Penstemon 'Dark Towers' brings soft pink tubes on dark stems at 85 to 90 cm from June to August. Panicum 'Blood Brothers' stands behind at 120 to 150 cm with red-tipped blades.

Plant Care: Full sun and sharp drainage are the whole recipe. Sandy or gravelly soil suits it best. Clay that stays wet in winter is what kills lavender in our climate, so plant on a slope or in a raised bed if your soil is heavy. Water regularly the first season, then sparingly. Don't cut it back in fall. Wait until spring, when new growth appears, then trim off the old flower stems and shape the mound lightly, staying above the woody base. Harvest stems for drying just as the first flowers on each spike open.

History: 'Grosso' is a hybrid between English lavender (L. angustifolia) and spike lavender (L. latifolia), introduced by Pierre Grosso in Goult, in the south of France, in 1972. It went on to become one of the most widely grown lavandins for lavender oil.

Final Thoughts: Deer resistant, drought tolerant once established and perfect for drying. Plant it, cut it, hang it in the closet. YOUR SOCK DRAWER WILL THANK YOU.