Lavandula 'Grosso'

Lavandula x intermedia 'Grosso': A Lavender of Grand Proportions

Lavandula x intermedia 'Grosso', known as the Grosso Lavender, unfurls across the garden landscape with grand proportions, its towering spikes of deep violet flowers set against a backdrop of silvery-green foliage. Celebrated for its robust size, exceptionally fragrant blooms, and oil-rich composition, this hybrid lavender is a powerhouse of sensory delight, offering a bolder and more aromatic experience than its counterparts. Ideal for crafting sweeping lavender hedges, attracting a symphony of pollinators to wildlife gardens, or distilling into exquisite lavender oil, 'Grosso' stands as a monument to the versatility and enduring appeal of lavender in all its forms, inviting gardeners to indulge in its aromatic abundance and striking visual presence.

Product Characteristics:

• Height: 'Grosso' dominates the garden scene with a stately height of 60-80 cm, making it a splendid choice for adding vertical drama and aromatic allure to the landscape.
• Spread: With a vigorous spread of 60-80 cm, it forms expansive mounds that radiate beauty and fragrance, serving as a lush, living bouquet in the heart of the garden.
• Flower Colour: The blooms of 'Grosso' are a rich, deep violet, their intense color and abundant nectar stores a beacon for bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects, enhancing the garden's biodiversity.
• Flowering Period: Blooming from mid to late summer, 'Grosso' ensures the garden transitions into the height of the season with a flourish of color and fragrance, extending the joys of summer with its long-lasting display.
• Sunlight Requirements: Thriving in full sun, 'Grosso' basks in the glory of warm, sunny days, its blooms deepening in color and scent under the generous rays of the sun, embodying the vibrant heart of summer.
• Soil Requirements: It prefers well-drained, neutral to slightly alkaline soil, flourishing in conditions that echo its Mediterranean lineage, ensuring peak growth, blooming, and oil production.

Uses and Benefits: Beyond its ornamental grandeur, 'Grosso' is highly valued for its essential oil, considered among the finest in quality for both therapeutic and culinary uses. Its towering blooms and dense foliage make it an excellent choice for windbreaks, privacy screens, and as a natural insect repellent, enhancing both the beauty and utility of garden spaces.

Companion Plants: Pair 'Grosso' with plants that complement its stature and color, such as the golden hues of Rudbeckia, the soft silver of Stachys byzantina, or the structural elegance of grasses like Miscanthus. These companions underscore the majestic presence of 'Grosso', creating a landscape rich in texture, color, and fragrance.

Care Instructions: Lavandula x intermedia 'Grosso' is a testament to the robust nature of hybrid lavenders, requiring minimal care to thrive. It benefits from occasional watering during dry spells, a light application of lime in acidic soils, and annual pruning to maintain its shape and promote vigorous new growth. Its resilience to drought, deer, and common pests makes it an enduring addition to the garden.

History: 'Grosso' is a hybrid of Lavandula angustifolia and Lavandula latifolia, bred for its large size, potent fragrance, and high oil content. It has quickly become a favorite among gardeners and commercial growers alike for its versatility, beauty, and aromatic richness.

Final Thoughts: Lavandula x intermedia 'Grosso' is a lavender of grand proportions, offering a luxurious abundance of fragrance, color, and utility. Its ability to transform garden spaces into aromatic havens, attract a host of pollinators, and serve as a source of high-quality lavender oil makes it a magnificent choice for those seeking to elevate their garden experience to new heights. Whether gracing a formal hedge, enriching a wildlife garden, or providing the raw material for aromatic products, 'Grosso' promises to be a centerpiece of sensory delight and practical value, celebrating the multifaceted beauty of lavender in all its splendor.