Lavandula intermedia Sensational

Lavandula x intermedia Sensational !, known by its cultivar name 'Tesseract', is an exceptional variety of hybrid lavender. It has very large flowers with a seductive intense purple fragrance, on a tall plant with broad and thick, silver-grey leaves. It has a long flowering period on a well-branched, upright and compact clump, with healthy foliage that is not very susceptible to diseases. It should be planted in poor soil and full sun to enjoy its fragrance and beautiful silver foliage fully.

The Lavandula genus belongs to the lamiaceae family, like sage, rosemary, and thyme. Lavenders are obtained by cross-breeding L. angustifolia and L. latifolia. These two species are found in the wild in the same mountainous environment and naturally cross-breed. They have given rise to numerous cultivars, all easy to grow in the garden, tolerant to limestone and relatively hardy in well-drained soil. Lavandin has broader, less silver and less aromatic foliage than "true" lavender.

The Sensational! hybrid forms a large round cushion, with vigorous growth, reaching 60 to 90 cm in flower, 60 cm for the foliage, and a diameter of 60 to 90 cm. Its 6 cm long leaves are wider than those of true lavender (Lavandula angustifolia), remain evergreen in winter and stay grey even in humid climates. They become even more silver in dry soil and hot climates. However, in cooler climates, while the plant gains foliage and robustness, it loses intensity of colour and fragrance. Flowering occurs throughout the summer, from June-July to August-September, depending on the climate. Long, slender stems emerge from the massive foliage ball, bearing very large 11 cm spikes of intense purple, nectar-rich flowers.

Lavandins are jewels of the Mediterranean scrubland and thrive in arid environments, on rocky and well-drained soils, characteristic of these dry regions in summer. To grow these plants in areas with cooler and more humid climates, it is crucial to choose a sunny location, with poor, stony soil, including limestone, that does not retain water during winter. Rockeries prove to be the ideal habitat, where they coexist harmoniously with rockroses, rosemary, sunroses, mugworts, and thymes. You can integrate perennial plants adapted to dry soils, with vibrant or more subtle blooms, such as toadflaxes, sages, gaillardias, or the beautiful Convolvulus althaeoides, a charming climber from Provence. It is also possible to design large flower beds on well-drained slopes, combining various lavender species that offer a varied visual spectacle through their sizes, flowering periods, and foliage types.

Tips: Put dried flowers in a handkerchief and close it by tying its 4 corners to scent the laundry and repel moths. Create scented sugar by putting lavender leaves in brown sugar.