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Products > Lavandula x intermedia 'Grosso'
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| Category: Shrub |
| Family: Lamiaceae (Labiatae) (Mints) |
| Origin: Mediterranean (Europe) |
| Evergreen: Yes |
| Flower Color: Blue Violet |
| Bloomtime: Summer/Fall |
| Synonyms: ['Dilly Dilly', 'Wilson's Giant' ] |
| Parentage: (L. angustifolia x latifolia) |
| Height: 1-2 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 'Grosso' (Purple Lavandin) - A selection of Lavandin (Lavandula x intermedia), the natural hybrid of Lavandula angustifolia and L. latifolia. This plant grows as a mound to about 2 feet tall by 3 feet wide with fragrant narrow leaves that when in active growth are green but age to gray-green. In summer rise the 12 to 18 inch long peduncles topped by a compact 3 to 4 inch long spike of sweet smelling dark purple flowers. This plant appreciates an open sunny location where it can grow well in poor alkaline soil. It 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 . It is 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. Some recommend replacing plants every 5 years or so but we have old lavender in our garden that are much older than this. Lavender are attractive to bees and butterflies but not particularly to browsing animals – deer tend to leave alone but rabbits sometimes nibble it. This lavender variety is the one most commonly used to extract lavender oil and is great in the garden and useful for fresh sachets, dried for potpourri and the edible flowers for salads or cooking. It was discovered in a deserted lavender field in Vaucluse District of France in 1972 by longtime lavender grower Pierre Grosso (1905-1989). Grosso took cuttings of the plant and resulting crops were more vigorous with higher yields than all other field varieties. By 1980 80% of the field grown lavandin was of this this variety. It has also been known by such names as 'Dilly Dilly', 'Wilson's Giant' and 'Wilson Grant'. Though its aroma is more camphorus than other varieties, this and its high yield made it useful by the detergent industry. Its long stems also make it very good for dried bouquets. We have grown this plant since 1993 in our nursery and also grow the other Lavandin cultivars Lavandula x intermedia 'Alba', Lavandula x intermedia 'Provence' and Lavandula x intermedia Phenomenal [Niko'].
The information about Lavandula x intermedia 'Grosso' displayed on this page is based on research conducted in our nursery library and from online sources we consider reliable. We will also relate those observations made of this plant as it grows in our nursery gardens and in other gardens that we have visited, as well how the crops have performed in containers in our nursery field. We will also incorporate comments we receive from others and welcome hearing from anyone who has additional information, particularly when they share cultural information that would aid others in growing it.
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