Description
Description: Height, spread, bloom
French Lavender is distinguished by the two upright petals which tip each flower head. It is a perennial shrub, 24-30 cm high and 70-90 cm wide. Its leaves are more silvery than those of other species. The flowers may be from deep purple to pink. In areas with warm winters, it may be evergreen.
Propagation
It is propagated with cuttings with no flowers, which are cut where the new growth meets the old. Cuttings are placed in water until roots appear. Another way is to break a clump from the main bush and transplant it.
Season for planting:
Summer
Requirements:
location, soil, light, water, frost, warning, it needs at least six hours of full sun in gravely, well-drained, moist soil. It can withstand some drought but dies in water-logged conditions. It thrives in hot, dry conditions, but is sensitive to extreme cold. It grows well in a well-drained container.
Blooming season
It has a long blooming season from mid-spring to late summer
Diseases and other problems
It tends to develop root rot in very wet conditions. Too much nitrogen may result in yellow leaves, gangling plants and few flowers. It is sometimes attacked by the rosemary beetle and froghoppers.
Maintenance
It is easy to care for once it is established. It does not need fertilizer. Do not over-prune; just trim away one-third of the plant after flowering. Cut away dead flowerheads. Do not get the leaves wet when watering, but water at the soil level.
Benefits for bees
It is more attractive to bees than some other kinds of lavender, as it is very rich in nectar and pollen and its colour and fragrance add to the attraction as the honey produced, has a mild scent of lavender, without any acidity or bitterness.