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Lavandula × intermedia 'Old English'
  • RHS Plants for pollinators

lavender 'Old English'

A shrub up to 1.1m high, with an erect or slightly spreading habit, evergreen, aromatic, linear, grey-green leaves 5-6cm long, and flower stems up to 55cm long topped by spikes about 6-10cm long of fragrant violet-blue flowers in late summer

Synonyms
Lavandula × intermedia 'Seal' misapplied
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Size
Ultimate height
1–1.5 metres
Time to ultimate height
2–5 years
Ultimate spread
1–1.5 metres
Growing conditions
Sand
Chalk
Loam
Moisture
Well–drained
pH
Neutral, Alkaline, Acid
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring Green Grey Silver
Summer Purple Green Grey Silver
Autumn Green Grey Silver
Winter Green Grey Silver
Position
  • Full sun
Aspect

South–facing or West–facing or East–facing

Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered
Drought resistance
Yes
Hardiness
H5
Botanical details
Family
Lamiaceae
Native to GB / Ireland
No
Foliage
Evergreen
Habit
Bushy
Genus

Lavandula are small aromatic evergreen shrubs with usually narrow, simple, entire, toothed or lobed leaves and small tubular flowers in dense spikes in summer

Name status

Accepted

How to grow

Cultivation

Grow in full sun in well-drained soil; for more advice, see lavender cultivation

Propagation

Propagate by semi-ripe cuttings in late summer, or by softwood cuttings of new growth in early summer

Suggested planting locations and garden types
  • Wildlife gardens
  • Gravel garden
  • Coastal
  • Mediterranean climate plants
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Flower borders and beds
  • Hedging and screens
  • Cut flowers
Pruning

Pruning group 10, in early spring or mid-spring

Pests

May be susceptible to rosemary beetle, and to cuckoo spit (froghopper or spittle bug nymphs)

Diseases

May be susceptible to grey moulds (Botrytis) and honey fungus (rarely)

Get involved

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