Lavandula intermedia Grosso - Lavandin

The Lavandula intermedia 'Grosso', also known as lavandin, is an undershrub with a bushy habit, very compact, dense and bushy, with evergreen gray-green aromatic foliage. Crowned in summer with an exuberant flowering spike of blue-purple flowers, very fragrant, its rounded shape and silver-gray foliage will continue to beautify and perfume the garden even in the middle of winter.

Lavenders belong to the Lamiaceae family, they are native to the Mediterranean regions of southern Europe. The variety Lavandula x intermedia 'Grosso' reaches a height of 60/70 cm (24/28in) and a width of 60 cm (24in). Its very compact, dense and vigorous habit forms a well-rounded clump. Its numerous upright branches bear decorative evergreen foliage, composed of linear aromatic leaves, measuring up to 5 cm (2in) long and of a beautiful gray-green color. From June to July, this very floriferous lavender is adorned with a multitude of small tubular blue-purple flowers, with darker calyxes. Very fragrant and melliferous, they are borne on long cylindrical spikes, at the end of woody stems that can reach 20 cm (8in).

This hybrid lavender 'Grosso' requires, like most other lavenders, to be planted in full sun in ordinary (even dry and rocky) soil, very well drained. In a sunny and warm location, its silver foliage will be radiant and its mauve flowers will exhale an intense fragrance. An ornamental and Mediterranean young plant par excellence, this lavandin can be used in borders, as a standalone plant, in edging, rock gardens, pots, seaside gardens and especially for creating borders.

With its graphic appearance, the color of its foliage and its lilac flowers, there are endless possibilities for the gardener. It can be associated with grasses which, with their tousled habit, will contrast with its rounded shape. It will also work wonders at the base of climbing roses, associated with shrubs such as cistus, landscape roses, shrubby salvias; or mixed with German irises, daylilies, and poppies. You can also create beautiful pots to place on the terrace or balcony. It is also possible to combine several varieties of lavenders together, which will create a harmonious and elegant tableau, both in terms of the variety of flower and foliage colors, and the size and volume of the plants.

Properties: Lavender being a very melliferous plant, it contributes to the preservation of bees: the nectar of its flower attracts bees, making it one of the most renowned honeys.

Anecdote: In Roman times, women who wanted to secretly taste wine (a drink that was forbidden to them) chewed a few sprigs of lavender to perfume their breath and deceive the vigilance of their husbands.