
In our front garden, we have a a kind of mini-hedge of Lavender and Rosemary plants that we planted, as well as two large, now quite leggy, lavender shrubs that we inherited when we moved in.
I often say that I’d like to replace the large, leggy plants but my wife always stops me.
And she is right to do so, because every summer the combination of all these plants creates a fantastic aromatic spectacle that throbs and hums with hundreds of bees feeding on the flowers.
Just brushing past the plants, which we have to do since they sprawl across the path, releases the heady scent of lavender – known for its relaxing qualities.
So, if you have a warm sunny spot in your garden, in my view, it is always worth making some room to grow lavender.
Lavender thrives in sunny locations and well-drained soil, making it perfect for borders, herb gardens, and rockeries. Lavender goes well with all sorts of plants and fits in with all sorts of styles of plants. You can match it with roses, catmint or Echinacea, for example, to add both visual and olfactory appeal to any garden.
This article is about English Lavender – Lavandula angustifolia.
Read our separate article on the different types of Lavender species and varieties you can grow.

All about English Lavender
Lavender boasts some unique characteristics, such as its drought tolerance and ability to attract pollinators like bees and butterflies.
Its compact growth habit and evergreen foliage make it a year-round asset in the garden.
Key Lavender facts
- Scientific name and any synonyms: Lavandula angustifolia; also known as Lavandula officinalis
- Meaning of scientific plant name: Derived from the Latin word ‘lavare’, meaning ‘to wash’, reflecting its historical use in baths and laundry.
- Common names: English lavender, common lavender, true lavender
- Plant family: Lamiaceae
- Place of origin of the plant: Mediterranean region
- Type of plant: Perennial shrub
- Size: Typically grows 1-3 feet tall and wide
- Foliage: Narrow, grey-green aromatic leaves that are evergreen in mild climates
- Flower: Spikes of fragrant, purple-blue flowers blooming from late spring to early summer
- Seeds: Produces small, nut-like seeds in the autumn
- Toxicity: Generally non-toxic to pets and humans; however, ingestion of large amounts can cause nausea in pets

Lavender angustfolia care requirements
Requirement | Details |
---|---|
Light requirements: | Full sun (at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily) |
Water and humidity requirements: | Low; prefers dry conditions and well-drained soil |
Temperature requirements: | Thrives in temperatures between 70-85°F (21-29°C); Hardy in USDA zones 5-9 and RHS zones H4-H5 |
Soil requirements: | Well-drained, sandy or gravelly soil with a pH of 6.5-7.5 |
Feeding requirements: | Low; occasional feeding with a balanced, slow-release fertiliser |
Propagation: | By seeds, cuttings, or layering |
Pruning: | Prune annually after flowering to maintain shape and encourage new growth |
Best English Lavender cultivars
Munstead

‘Munstead’ is a classic English lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) variety, developed in the early 20th century by Gertrude Jekyll at her Munstead Wood garden in Surrey, England. This compact cultivar is known for its hardiness and is often favored in cooler climates.
The plant typically grows to about 18 inches tall and wide, forming a neat, rounded bush. Its foliage is characterized by narrow, grey-green leaves that provide an attractive backdrop to the flowers. The deep purple flower spikes are highly aromatic and bloom profusely from late spring to mid-summer.
‘Munstead’ is a long-lived perennial, often surviving for 10-15 years with proper care. It’s prized for its versatility in the garden, suitable for borders, rock gardens, and even low hedges. This variety is also known for its culinary uses and is frequently used in potpourris and sachets.
Hidcote

‘Hidcote’ is another popular English lavender variety, named after Hidcote Manor Garden in Gloucestershire, England, where it was developed by Major Lawrence Johnston in the 1920s. This compact cultivar is renowned for its intense violet-blue flowers and dense growth habit.
Growing to a height of 12-18 inches, ‘Hidcote’ forms a tidy, mounded shape. Its foliage is composed of slender, silvery-grey leaves that contrast beautifully with the deep-colored flowers. The flower spikes are shorter and more compact than some other varieties, contributing to its neat appearance.
‘Hidcote’ is a long-lived variety, often thriving for 15-20 years in ideal conditions. It’s highly valued for its cold hardiness and drought tolerance once established. The intense color and compact size make it an excellent choice for formal gardens, knot gardens, and container plantings.
Silver Mist
‘Silver Mist’ is a distinctive cultivar of English lavender (Lavandula angustifolia), notable for its striking silvery foliage. This variety was developed for its unique appearance, adding a different dimension to the lavender palette.
Growing to about 24 inches tall and wide, ‘Silver Mist’ forms a compact, rounded bush. Its foliage is exceptionally silvery, almost white, providing year-round interest even when the plant is not in bloom. The flowers are a soft, light lavender color, creating a beautiful contrast with the silver leaves.
‘Silver Mist’ is a relatively long-lived variety, often lasting 10-15 years with proper care. Its unique coloring makes it an excellent choice for adding visual interest to gardens, particularly effective when planted in groups or paired with darker foliaged plants.
Thumbelina Leigh

‘Thumbelina Leigh’ is a dwarf variety of English lavender (Lavandula angustifolia), bred for its compact size and suitability for container growing. This cultivar was developed in New Zealand and introduced in the early 2000s.
Growing to only about 12 inches tall and wide, ‘Thumbelina Leigh’ is one of the smallest lavender varieties available. Its foliage is grey-green and forms a tight, neat mound. Despite its small size, it produces an abundance of deep blue flowers, creating a charming display.
As a true English lavender, ‘Thumbelina Leigh’ can be quite long-lived, potentially lasting 15-20 years with proper care. Its compact size makes it ideal for small gardens, rock gardens, and container plantings. It’s also well-suited for edging paths or borders in larger garden designs.
How to grow Lavender
Soil and Feeding
Lavender prefers well-drained soil, ideally sandy or gravelly, with a neutral to slightly alkaline pH (6.5-7.5). Adding organic matter can improve soil structure. Feeding requirements are minimal; a slow-release, balanced fertiliser applied in spring can support growth.
Watering
Lavender is drought-tolerant and prefers dry conditions. Water deeply but infrequently, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings. Overwatering or poor drainage can lead to root rot.
Pruning
Pruning lavender encourages bushy growth and prevents the plant from becoming woody.
Prune annually after flowering, cutting back about one-third of the plant. I often leave the spent flowers on until late winter the following year. This is partly to keep some structure but also because the seed-heads keep the lovely lavender scent.
There are also usually some later flowers well into Autumn, so I always think it is worth leaving your pruning as long as there are flowers on the plant and bees on the flowers.
The most important point to remember when pruning lavender is that you should avoid cutting into old wood, as this may not regrow.
I cut back to the bottom of the flower stalks, but you can cut back harder, as long as you are still cutting into the soft foliage, rather than the woody stems.
Propagation
Lavender can be propagated through seeds, cuttings, or layering. For cuttings:
- Take a 3-4 inch cutting from non-flowering stems in early summer.
- Remove the lower leaves and dip the cut end in rooting hormone.
- Plant in a pot with well-draining soil mix.
- Keep moist and in a shaded area until roots develop.
Common problems and solutions
- Root rot: Ensure well-draining soil and avoid overwatering.
- Fungal diseases: Improve air circulation and avoid overhead watering.
- Aphids: Spray with a strong jet of water or use insecticidal soap.
- Yellowing leaves: Check for overwatering or nutrient deficiencies.

Martin Cole has been an avid plant lover and gardener for more than 20 years and loves to talk and write about gardening. In 2006 he was a finalist in the BBC Gardener of the Year competition. He is a member of the National dahlia Society.
He previously lived in London and Sydney, Australia, where he took a diploma course in Horticultural studies and is now based in North Berwick in Scotland. He founded GardeningStepbyStep.com in 2012. The website is aimed at everybody who loves plants or has been bitten by the gardening bug and wants to know more.
Gardening Step by Step has been cited by Thompson and Morgan, the UK’s largest mail order plant retailer, as a website that publishes expert gardening content.