Felder Rushing
Family
Lamiaceae
Botanical Name
Lavandula x intermedia 'Provence'
Plant Common Name
Hedge Lavender, Hybrid Lavender
General Description
This famous cultivar sweeps across the flower fields of the Provence Region of France. It is considered among the best varieties for perfume and culinary use. 'Provence' is extra tall and blooms very heavily, so it is a fine landscape plant for dry climates as well as a great source for fragrant cutflowers, fresh or dried.
Hedge lavender is a hybrid between the popular English lavender (Lavandula angustifolia ) and spike lavender (Lavandula latifolia). It is less hardy than Lavandula angustifolia but very drought tolerant and resilient. This beautiful ornamental is technically a subshrub, which means it behaves like a perennial but develops woody stems over time. It develops a large, rounded, dense habit and has small, linear, gray-green leaves that are richly aromatic and turn steely gray in winter.
Hedge lavender blooms in summer, producing a wealth of slender, upright stems topped with dense clusters of lavender-blue flowers. The highly fragrant blooms are attractive to bees, butterflies and other insect pollinators. They are sterile, so they do not self-sow, unlike other lavenders. The blooms turn brown as they age and should be removed once spent to keep the plants looking tidy. This will also encourage continuous flowering, though the first flush of flowers is always the heaviest.
Growing success depends on light levels and soil drainage; full sun and sharply drained soil are essential. Moist winter weather is especially detrimental and can lead to root and stem rot and eventually plant death. Its stems become quite woody and coarse looking over time. If this should happen, it should be pruned back severely in spring. This will encourage a new flush of foliage, which will keep plants looking young and fresh.
The long-stemmed flowers of hedge lavender are excellent for cutting. They are favored for linen sachets and potpourris. If preparing the blooms for drying, cut them while fresh and hang them upside down to dry. In the garden, lavender can be planted in rows as a low hedge or in sunny dry spots where its fragrance and summer color can be appreciated. Containers are also ideal for this bee and butterfly magnet.
Characteristics
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AHS Heat Zone
9 - 6
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USDA Hardiness Zone
6 - 9
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Sunset Zone
4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
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Plant Type
Perennial
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Sun Exposure
Full Sun
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Height
3'-4' / 0.9m - 1.2m
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Width
2'-3' / 0.6m - 0.9m
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Bloom Time
Early Summer, Summer, Late Summer, Early Fall
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Native To
Hybrid Origin
Growing Conditions
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Soil pH
Neutral, Alkaline
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Soil Drainage
Well Drained
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Soil type
Loam, Sand
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Tolerances
Salt
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Growth Rate
Fast
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Water Requirements
Drought Tolerant, Average Water
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Habit
Oval/Rounded
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Seasonal Interest
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Ornamental Features
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Flower Interest
Showy
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Flower Color
Lavender, Blue Violet
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Fruit Color
Sandy Brown
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Foliage Color (Spring)
Light Green, Gray Green
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Foliage Color (Summer)
Light Green, Gray Green
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Foliage Color (Fall)
Light Green, Gray Green
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Foliage Color (Winter)
Gray Green, Silver, Gray
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Bark Color
Sandy Brown
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Fragrant Flowers
Yes
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Fragrant Fruit
Yes
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Fragrant Foliage
Yes
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Bark or Stem Fragrant
Yes
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Flower Petal Number
Single
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Repeat Bloomer
Yes
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Showy Fruit
No
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Edible Fruit
Yes
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Showy Foliage
Yes
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Foliage Texture
Fine
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Foliage Sheen
Matte
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Evergreen
Yes
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Showy Bark
No
Special Characteristics
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Usage
Container, Cutflower, Edging, Foundation, Hedges, Herb / Vegetable, Mixed Border
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Sharp or Has Thorns
No
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Invasive
No
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Attracts
Butterflies
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Self-Sowing
No
