Lavender x intermedia ‘grosso’
€15.00
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Description
Quick Facts
- Common Name: Grosso Lavender, Fat Spike Lavender
- Botanical Name: Lavandula x intermedia ‘Grosso’
- Plant Type: Evergreen perennial herb
- Mature Height: 60-90cm
- Mature Spread: 60-90cm
- Flowering Period: July to September
- Flower Colour: Deep violet-purple
- Foliage: Silver-grey, aromatic, linear leaves
- Hardiness: RHS H4 (hardy in most of UK)
- Soil Requirements: Well-drained, alkaline to neutral
- Aspect: Full sun
- Maintenance: Low
Description
Immerse yourself in the intoxicating world of Lavandula x intermedia ‘Grosso’, the crown jewel of lavenders that transforms Irish gardens into fragrant Mediterranean sanctuaries. This exceptional cultivar stands as the gold standard for lavender production, offering the most potent essential oils and the most magnificent flower spikes that dance in summer breezes like purple flames against silver foliage.
From midsummer through early autumn, ‘Grosso’ produces spectacular displays of deep violet-purple flower spikes that rise majestically above mounds of silvery-grey aromatic foliage. Each robust stem carries dense clusters of intensely fragrant blooms that release their heavenly perfume with every gentle touch, creating clouds of scent that drift through the garden on warm summer evenings.
Named for its impressively large flower spikes, ‘Grosso’ represents the perfect fusion of French and English lavender heritage, combining exceptional hardiness with unmatched fragrance intensity. This remarkable hybrid thrives in Irish conditions, tolerating our changeable weather whilst rewarding gardeners with months of continuous blooms and year-round aromatic foliage that brings structure and sensory delight to garden compositions.
Create stunning Mediterranean-style plantings by pairing this aromatic treasure with rosemary, santolina, and ornamental grasses, or plant in drifts alongside roses where its purple spikes provide perfect colour contrast. Magnificent as low hedging, in herb gardens, or massed for dramatic impact where its exceptional fragrance and wildlife-attracting blooms will transform your Irish garden into a buzzing haven of activity and scent.
Caragh Garden Notebook
Planting: Space plants 60-90cm apart in full sun with excellent drainage. Plant in spring after frost risk has passed. Dig holes twice the width of the root ball and incorporate horticultural grit in heavy soils. Avoid rich, fertile soils which can reduce flowering and fragrance intensity.
Soil Preparation: Requires very well-drained soil with pH 6.5-7.5. In clay soils, create raised beds or add substantial amounts of grit and sharp sand. Avoid waterlogged conditions which can cause root rot. Poor, stony soils often produce the most fragrant plants.
Container Growing: Excellent for containers using Mediterranean-style compost with added grit. Choose terracotta pots minimum 40cm diameter for good drainage and root development. Water sparingly – allow to dry between waterings. Protect from excessive winter wet rather than cold.
Seasonal Care: Prune annually in spring, cutting back by one-third but never into old wood. Harvest flower spikes just as buds begin to open for strongest fragrance. Deadhead spent flowers to encourage second flush. Avoid feeding – lean conditions promote better flowering and fragrance.
Propagation: Take semi-hardwood cuttings in late summer, avoiding flowering shoots. Root in sandy compost with good drainage. Alternatively, layer low-growing branches in spring. Seeds rarely come true to type, so vegetative propagation is preferred for maintaining cultivar characteristics.
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