Lavandula × intermedia
A naturally occurring hybrid (of L. angustifolia and L. latifolia) also known as lavandin and sometimes as French lavender. L. × intermedia are generally large, robust plants with large, abundant flower spikes and long stems. Flower colors range from light blue to dark violet and there are several white-flowered cultivars as well. They produce the highest yield of essential oil but the quality is considered lesser than that of L. angustifolia due to its higher camphor content. They are also favored for landscaping and hedges as well as crafts and bouquets.
Our Selection
Lavandula × intermedia 'Abrialii'
Description: evergreen shrub; also known as 'Abrialis.' A French field cultivar introduced sometime prior to 1930. From 1930-1960 it dominated lavandin production in France and at one point accounted for 80% of the market. In the 1970s, more disease-resistant cultivars were required for monoculture farming and 'Super' and 'Grosso' gained popularity. Dense, silver-gray foliage and upward sweeping branches with wide-spreading growth. Very fragrant dark violet flower spikes on long stems.
Height: to 3 ft. Spread: to 4 ft.
Lavandula × intermedia 'Alba'
Description: evergreen shrub; the oldest of the white-flowered lavandins currently in cultivation though its origin is uncertain. Vigorous, upswept growth and fragrant, white flower spikes on long stems. Ideal as a specimen plant or in a hedge. Young calyces have green, green-pink, or yellow tips which differentiates it from 'Edelweiss' in addition to its growth habit, grayer foliage, and cylindrical flower spikes.
Height: to 3 ft. Spread: to 4 ft.
Lavandula × intermedia ANNIVERSARY BOUQUET 'Dowannibouq'
Description: evergreen shrub; a splendid 2016 introduction by Downderry Nursery of England that was bred to have tapered flower spikes that are both large, and uniform. Vigorous growth and sturdy stems. A favorite for bouquets both fresh and dried and stunning in a hedge or mass planting. Fragrant dark violet flower spikes on long stems.
Height: to 3 ft. Spread: to 4 ft.
Lavandula × intermedia 'Bleu de Collines'
Description: evergreen shrub; a French cultivar that translates to "blue of the hills." The foliage is compact and the growth habit and overall appearance is quite similar to 'Grosso' but the flowers are much darker purple. A better choice for bouquets and crafts, especially dried. Very fragrant dark purple flower spikes on long stems.
Height: to 3 ft. Spread: to 4 ft.
Lavandula × intermedia 'Bogong'
Description: evergreen shrub; a robust shrub with a tidy, upswept habit. Mid-green foliage and uniform flower spikes make it a favorite for hedges and mass plantings. Dark violet-blue flower spikes on long stems with a mild, but pleasant fragrance. This cultivar is of uncertain origin and is thought to have arrived in New Zealand via Australia via Surrey, England sometime prior to the 1990s. 'Bogong' translates to "big moth" in an indigenous language of Australia.
Height: to 3 ft. Spread: to 4 ft.
Lavandula × intermedia 'Dutch'
Description: evergreen shrub; an old, European cultivar that has been in cultivation since 1909 and possibly earlier. It was originally distinguished by its bushy growth and lighter gray foliage than other lavenders of that era. Dense, broad foliage with an overall silver-gray apperance and a tidy, mounding habit. Sharply fragrant light violet-blue flower spikes on long stems.
Height: to 4 ft. Spread: to 4 ft.
Lavandula × intermedia DUTCH MILL 'Barbara Joan'
Description: evergreen shrub; a 1950 introduction by Dutch Mill Herb Farm of Forest Grove, OR. Selected for good resistance to cold and long stems suitable for crafting with. Two similar cultivars, 'Jennifera' and 'Elizabetha' were never released and presumably no longer exist. Pungently fragrant, dense purple flower spikes on long stems.
Height: to 4 ft. Spread: to 4 ft.
Lavandula × intermedia 'Edelweiss'
Description: evergreen shrub; a white-flowered form of lavandin of uncertain origin sometime around the 1880s in Europe. Gray-green foliage with more of a sprawling, fan-shaped habit than the similar cultivar 'Alba'. Narrow, curved flower spikes have pinkish buds when young. Fragrance is strong, sweet, and pleasant.
Height: to 3 ft. Spread: to 4 ft.
Lavandula × intermedia 'Fat Spike'
Description: evergreen shrub; a cultivar that was imported to the U.S. in the early 1980s under the name 'Grosso' but was later determined to be distinct. Growth is similar to 'Grosso' in that it forms a perfect cushion of gray foliage but the flower spikes are larger and the oil is of lesser quality. Ideal for bouquets and crafts but not for essential oil. Very fragrant dark violet-blue flower spikes on long stems.
Height: to 3 ft. Spread: to 5 ft.
Lavandula × intermedia 'Fragrant Memories'
Description: evergreen shrub; a cultivar acquired by Grove Ferry Lavender Farms in Kent, England around 1924 and much later introduced by Blooms of Bressingham in 1994. Reputed as one of the best lavenders for foliage and overall appearance when not in bloom. Neat, compact growth with very narrow, silver-gray foliage. Very fragrant purple flower spikes on especially long stems.
Height: to 3 ft. Spread: to 5 ft.
Lavandula × intermedia 'Gros Bleu'
Description: evergreen shrub; a French cultivar with upright growth and gray-green foliage. Pleasantly fragrant, slender dark purple flower spikes on long stems. Considered to be among the darkest-flowered of the L. × intermedia hybrids. Popular in dried bouquets and potpourri but not favored for essential oil.
Height: to 4 ft. Spread: to 5 ft.
Lavandula × intermedia 'Grosso'
Description: evergreen shrub; a 1972 discovery by M. Pierre Grosso, a French farmer. It is more vigorous and more resistant to the "dépérissement" that ravaged the 'Abrialii' fields in the 1950s and 60s. By 1975 it already accounted for 10% of French lavandin crop and by 1980 it was reported to be 55%. Though very high-yielding, the essential oil of 'Grosso' is strongly camphorous (considered lower quality) and it is heavily used in the detergent, powders, softeners industries. 'Grosso' is currently the most commonly grown commercial lavandin in the world but it should also be noted that Pierre Grosso died in absolute poverty in 1989. Compact growth with silvery foliage and pungently fragrant, violet flower spikes on long stems in an open, fan-like pattern.
Height: to 3 ft. Spread: to 5 ft.
Lavandula × intermedia HEAVENLY ANGEL 'Dowphangel'
Description: evergreen shrub; part of Downderry Nursery's 2013 Heavenly Series that were developed to grow into shorter mounds (easier to harvest) than typical lavandins while maintaining the long stems and high oil yields. This is the smallest of the white-flowered lavandins with robust growth and fragrant, pure white flower spikes on long stems.
Height: to 20 in. Spread: to 18 in.
Lavandula × intermedia HEAVENLY NIGHT 'Dowphnight'
Description: evergreen shrub; part of Downderry Nursery's 2013 Heavenly Series that were developed to grow into shorter mounds (easier to harvest) than typical lavandins while maintaining the long stems and high oil yields. Low, compact foliage and fragrant, dark violet flower spikes on long stems. An excellent plant for oil production.
Height: to 22 in. Spread: to 30 in.
Lavandula × intermedia HEAVENLY SCENT 'Dowphscent'
Description: evergreen shrub; part of Downderry Nursery's 2013 Heavenly Series that were developed to grow into shorter mounds (easier to harvest) than typical lavandins while maintaining the long stems and high oil yields. Low, dense growth and fragrant, violet-blue flower spikes on long stems. Reputed to be excellent for oil production.
Height: to 22 in. Spread: to 30 in.
Lavandula × intermedia 'Hidcote Giant'
Description: evergreen shrub; an introduction by Major Lawrence Johnston of Hidcote Manor prior to 1957. A rather distinctive lavandin because of its dense, unusually shaped flower spikes and overall habit. Vigorous, upright growth and very sweetly fragrant, violet flower spikes on long stems. A favorite for dried bouquets.
Height: to 3 ft. Spread: to 5 ft.
Lavandula × intermedia 'Impress Purple'
Description: evergreen shrub; imported to New Zealand as a French field cultivar ('41/70') in 1983 but determined to produce an inferior quality oil. In 1994 it was renamed to 'Impress Purple' by Peter Smale of the Redbank Research Centre and marketed for its ornamental appeal. Robust, bushy growth and mildly fragrant, dark violet flower spikes on long stems.
Height: to 3 ft. Spread: to 5 ft.
Lavandula × intermedia 'Jaubert'
Description: evergreen shrub; A French field cultivar known since the 1980s and possibly earlier. Noted for its long, elegant flower spikes and floriferous blooms. Dense, upswept growth and mildly fragrant, pale violet flower spikes on long stems. Spectacular as a specimen plant or in a mass planting.
Height: to 30 in. Spread: to 4 ft.
Lavandula × intermedia 'Marge Clark'
Description: evergreen shrub; a cultivar named for the late author and herbalist, Marge Clark, who tragicallly passed away in an automobile accident. Compact growth with silver foliage and fragrant, violet-blue flower spikes on long stems.
Height: to 3 ft. Spread: to 4 ft.
Lavandula × intermedia OLYMPIA 'Downoly'
Description: evergreen shrub; a 2012 introduction by Downderry Nursery of England. Recognizable in a field of a hundred cultivars for its uniform, very dark purple flower spikes on a compact bush. Stays relatively short compared to other × intermedias. One of our personal favorites for hedges and in general. Very fragrant dark purple flower spikes on long stems.
Height: to 2 ft. Spread: to 3 ft.
Lavandula × intermedia 'Pale Pretender'
Description: evergreen shrub; a cultivar that has been widely confused with and sold as 'Grappenhall' in Europe since the 1990s or earlier. It was renamed in the early 2000s to differentiate it from the true 'Grappenhall.' Robust, upswept growth with broad green-gray foliage and fragrant, pale violet flower spikes on long stems.
Height: to 4 ft. Spread: to 4 ft.
Lavandula × intermedia 'Provence'
Description: evergreen shrub; a cultivar that is thought to have originated in Canada around the mid 1950s. Vigorous, robust growth and very fragrant, mauve flower spikes on exceptionally long stems. Popular for crafts and bouquets but not considered suitable as an essential oil plant.
Height: to 3 ft. Spread: to 5 ft.
Lavandula × intermedia 'Riverina Alan'
Description: evergreen shrub; a triploid hybrid (L. × intermedia ‘Seal’ x L. angustifolia) bred and introduced by Clive Larkman of Larkman Nurseries, Australia. Vigorous growth into an ultimately large shrub. Very large, long dark purple flower spikes on very long stems, ideal for crafting. One of the best for mass plantings and hedges.
Height: to 4 ft. Spread: to 5 ft.
Lavandula × intermedia 'Riverina Thomas'
Description: evergreen shrub; a triploid hybrid (L. × intermedia ‘Grosso’ × L. angustifolia) bred for vigor and oil yield. Introduced by Clive Larkman of Larkman Nurseries, Australia. Long-blooming with very large, tapered flower spikes. One of the best for lavender wreaths and other crafts that benefit from longer stems. Essential oil is very similar to that of the parent plant, 'Grosso'.
Height: to 3 ft. Spread: to 4 ft.
Lavandula × intermedia SCOTTISH COTTAGE 'Grey Hedge'
Description: evergreen shrub; an old English cultivar that is thought to have been selected by Miss Hewer of the Herb Farm, Seal in Kent, England since no prior records of it exist. It's noted as being similar to 'Old English' but with very fragrant pale, pointed flower spikes and greyer foliage. It was "renamed" to Scottish Cottage by a New Zealand nurseryman later on, likely for better marketability. Upright, compact growth with narrow silver foliage and sweetly fragrant violet-blue flower spikes on mid-length stems. One of our latest bloomers.
Height: to 30 in. Spread: to 3 ft.
Lavandula × intermedia 'Seal'
Description: evergreen shrub; an English field cultivar that was selected by Miss D.G. Hewer of the Herb Farm, Seal in Kent, England sometime prior to 1935. Vigorous, upswept growth with gray-green foliage and pleasantly fragrant, violet-blue flower spikes on long stems. Very floriferous, it is said that mature plants produce 1200-1400 flowerheads in one season.
Height: to 5 ft. Spread: to 5 ft.
Lavandula × intermedia 'Silver Gray'
Description: evergreen shrub; an old English cultivar selected by British gardener and author, Eleanour Sinclair Rohde in the early 1900s. Similar to 'Old English' but more floriferous. Robust, bushy growth with broad, silver foliage and fragrant, soft violet flower spikes. A favorite for hedges.
Height: to 3 ft. Spread: to 4 ft.
Lavandula × intermedia 'Sumian'
Description: evergreen shrub; a French field cultivar that at one point accounted for 7-10% of French lavandin production. It has a high oil yield but the oil does not mix well with alcohol so as a commercial crop it has mainly been used to perfume detergents and softeners or sold as dried bouquets. Bushy growth and pungently fragrant, violet-blue flower spikes on mid-length stems.
Height: to 30 in. Spread: to 4 ft.
Lavandula × intermedia 'Super'
Description: evergreen shrub; A French field cultivar that gained popularity in the 1950s and 60s as 'Abriallii' began to fall out of favor. It is noted that the scent of 'Super' is closer to L. angustifolia than typical L. × intermedia hybrids and it was reputed to have the best perfume of all the lavandins in the early 90s. It has mainly been used for soap fragrances and aromatherapy as a cheaper alternative to L. angustifolia oil. Robust, upswept growth and pleasantly fragrant violet-blue flower spikes on long stems.
Height: to 3 ft. Spread: to 4 ft.
Lavandula × intermedia 'Sussex'
Description: evergreen shrub; A French field cultivar that was imported to New Zealand in 1983 under various false names and later introduced to the U.K. where it was assigned the cultivar epithet 'Sussex.' Large and spreading with mid green foliage and sweetly fragrant, tapered, light violet flower spikes on long stems. Makes beautiful fresh bouquets that are ideal for lavender wands, and other crafts.
Height: to 40 in. Spread: to 5 ft.
Lavandula × intermedia 'Tuscan'
Description: evergreen shrub; a cultivar from the fields of Tuscany, Italy. Bright silver foliage and fragrant, light purple flower spikes on long stems. Excellent for hedges and landscaping.
Height: to 30 in. Spread: to 3 ft.