Dentata        De Lavande

Plant Name:  Lavender, Dentata

Common Name:  French lavender

Botanical Name:  Lavendula dentata

Origin:  Unknown

Height/Physical Description:  This variety is approximately 24 to 30 inches in height and width, has bright green leaves that are coarse-toothed (dentate).  The flowers are on stems that are 6 to 8 inches and start blooming continuously starting in Spring.

Special Attributes:  Leaves have the appearance of little teeth on the edges.  The flowers are very fragrant with the smell of eucalyptus.      

‍Purchasing:  Easy to find in local nurseries.

Planting Requirements:  Plant in Spring after danger of frost or in the Fall.  Lavenders require good drainage.  If soil is mostly clay, amending and aerating the planting area will ensure better success.  Planting in a dome is another way to promote good drainage and keep your lavender from sinking down in clay soil.  The preferred mulch at the base of the plant is gravel or a thin layer of compost.  Do not use wood or leaf mulches as this contributes to root rot.

Repotting and transplanting:  To determine your lavender is hardy and ready to repot or transplant, check the bottom of the container for vigorous roots coming out of the drainage holes.  This is a sign of good health.

Watering:  Water at base of plant only.  Lavenders do not like overhead spray.  Use of a drip system is best. Put on a drip line with plants that have similar water needs to avoid overwatering.  Lavenders rot very easily when overwatered.  To avoid this, allow the soil to dry out moderately before next watering.

Fertilizing:  Lavenders are hillside plants that thrive in rocky, good draining soil that is somewhat alkaline (pH of 6.5 to 7.5).  Lavenders do not require a great deal of fertilizer as they prefer neutral soil.  Since this is the case, use of compost or compost tea is all that is needed.

Blooming Time/Harvesting:  The flowers start blooming continuously in the Spring.

Pruning:  Lavenders can live up to 25 years if well maintained.  The time to prune is after the flush of flowers.  The flowers and stems should be gently pruned so the plant is the shape of a ball. Consider it a haircut not a severe pruning.  Removing the flowers in this manner allows the plant to regenerate foliage and avoids it from becoming “woody.”  

Note:  If the plant has become woody, it cannot be reversed.  It will live but will not have the original full shape that it had at the beginning.
Pruning underneath the plant is another way to keep the plant healthy as this promotes good air circulation which prevents root rot.

Pests:  Spittle bugs, grasshoppers, gophers, moles.

Diseases:  Root rot.

Hardiness:  zones 8-10

Additional Comments: This plant is not very cold hardy.  Must be protected from frost.

Plant Name:  Lavender, De Lavende

Botanical Name:  Lavendula angustifolia, De Lavende

Origin:  Southern France

Height/Physical Description:  24 to 30” wide and high, 8 to 10” flower stalks.  It has purple flowers that bloom in the Spring.

Special Attributes: It has 8 to 10” purple flower stalks in Spring. It is known to grow at 4,000 ft elevation in Southern France and is very cold tolerant.  It is used for potpourri and essential oil.    

‍Purchasing:  Private nurseries or online.

Planting Requirements:  Plant in Spring after danger of frost or in the Fall.  Lavenders require good drainage.  If soil is mostly clay, amending and aerating the planting area will ensure better success. Planting in a dome is another way to promote good drainage and keep your lavender from sinking down in clay soil. The preferred mulch at the base of the plant is gravel or a thin layer of compost.  Do not use wood or leaf mulches as this contributes to root rot.

Repotting and transplanting:  To determine your lavender is hardy and ready to repot or transplant, check the bottom of the container for vigorous roots coming out of the drainage holes.  This is a sign of good health.

Watering:  Water at base of plant only.  Lavenders do not like overhead spray.  Use of a drip system is best. Put on a drip line with plants that have similar water needs to avoid overwatering.  Lavenders rot very easily when overwatered.  To avoid this, allow the soil to dry out moderately before next watering.

Fertilizing:  Lavenders are hillside plants that thrive in rocky, good draining soil that is somewhat alkaline (pH of 6.5 to 7.5).  Lavenders do not require a great deal of fertilizer as they prefer neutral soil.  Since this is the case, use of compost or compost tea is all that is needed.

Blooming Time/Harvesting:  8 to 10” purple flowers in Spring.

Pruning:  Lavenders can live up to 25 years if well maintained.  The time to prune is after the flush of flowers.  The flowers and stems should be gently pruned so the plant is the shape of a ball. Consider it a haircut not a severe pruning.  Removing the flowers in this manner allows the plant to regenerate foliage and avoids it from becoming “woody.”  

Note:  If the plant has become woody, it cannot be reversed.  It will live but will not have the original full shape that it had at the beginning.
Pruning underneath the plant is another way to keep the plant healthy as this promotes good air circulation which prevents root rot.

Pests:  Spittle bugs, grasshoppers, gophers, moles.

Diseases:  Root rot.

Hardiness:  zones 5-9

Additional Comments:  Lavender De Lavende is a type of lavendula angustifolia.  Angustifolias are considered “true lavender” and known for being some of the most cold-hardy varieties.  Their colors seem more vibrant, flowers seem more fragrant and taste sweet.  A common name that is used for Angustifolias is “English” lavender.  This is not an accurate term especially since lavenders are grown worldwide.  The best way to identify a lavender or any plant in general is by using its botanical name.