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| Category: Shrub |
| Family: Lamiaceae (Labiatae) (Mints) |
| Origin: Mediterranean (Europe) |
| Evergreen: Yes |
| Flower Color: Blue Violet |
| Bloomtime: Summer/Fall |
| Fragrant Flowers: Yes |
| Parentage: (L. angustifolia x latifolia) |
| Height: 2-3 feet |
| Width: 2-3 feet |
| Exposure: Full Sun |
| Summer Dry: Yes |
| Deer Tolerant: Yes |
| Irrigation (H2O Info): Low Water Needs |
| Winter Hardiness: 15-20° F |
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Lavandula x intermedia 'Super' (Super Lavandin) - A robust selection of Lavandin (Lavandula x intermedia), the natural hybrid of the English Lavender, Lavandula angustifolia and Spike Lavender, Lavandula latifolia, that grows as an evergreen mound to 2 to 3 feet tall by as wide with upwardly inclined branches holding fragrant narrow gray-green leaves. In late spring into early spring arise at varying lengths the very long 18 to 24 inch long peduncles topped by a compact 3 to 4 inch long spike of sweet smelling lavender colored flowers with violet green calyces - it is described as being lighter in color than the dark 'Grosso'. It has larger elongated flower spikes than other Lavandin varieties and they are held on longer stems with a flower fragrance that is light, flowery and lacking any scent of camphor, more like its English Lavender parent, Lavandula angustifolia, than other Lavandin selections. Plant in an open sunny location in a well-drained soil where it is quite drought tolerant and needs only be irrigated occasionally to infrequently once established – over watered plants are floppy and weaker and dislikes overly wet conditions. The lavandins are cold hardy to below 15 degrees F and can be long lived if pruned hard after flowering in late summer – cut back deep into the leafy stems above the hard wood but do not prune in late fall or winter. The Lavandin varieties of lavender are the most commonly lavenders used to extract lavender oil but besides their commercial use, they are great in the garden and useful for fresh sachets, dried for potpourri and the edible flowers for salads or cooking. As with most lavender they are quite attractive to bees and butterflies but not particularly to browsing animals – deer tend to leave alone but rabbits sometimes nibble it. The flowering stems of this plant are useful in floral arrangements and lavender wands, but it is a variety mostly used for it oil as it is considered by some as the Lavandin that produces the best quality essential oil, though it is also noted as not producing as much quantity as some other varieties.
This information about Lavandula intermedia 'Super' displayed is based on research conducted in our horticultural library and from reliable online resources. We also will relate observations made about it as it grows in our nursery gardens and other gardens we have visited, as well how the crops have performed in containers in our nursery field. We will also incorporate comments that we receive from others and we welcome hearing from anyone with additional information, particularly if they can share any cultural information that would aid others in growing it.
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