Lavandula dentata

Spreading evergreen shrub that grows to 1m high and wide.

Bushy shrub with grey-green finely-toothed fragrant leaves bearing short spikes of lavender-mauve slightly fragrant in midsummer to autumn.

This lavender prefers full sun and will tolerate most soil types but grows best in normal to sandy alkaline (pH 7 to 7.5) soil. Well draining soil in a sunny spot is essential for good growth with lavenders. The shade will make them die out. This plant can tolerate maritime exposure.

Always choose healthy well grown plants and plant after autumn rains as the soil is moist and warm and allows plants to become established before winter. This enables them to withstand dry periods during the following summer. Young plants require thorough watering during dry periods over the first two or three years and mulching helps to conserve moisture and suppress weeds. Incorporate coarse sand, bark, peat, compost or other organic material to improve soil structure. Before planting ensure the root ball is saturated and remove the planter bag or pot with minimal root disturbance. Trim any broken roots and plant at the same level as in the container. Dig a hole twice the diameter of the root ball and firm in and water once planted. Make sure plants are watered well until established if planting in a drier period. Plant with some general slow release fertiliser and then every spring apply an organic based fertiliser such as blood and bone at a handful per square meter as new growth begins.

Apply mulch annually to help suppress weeds and conserve moisture. Rarely is this lavender without flowers, however, prune in November to promote summer flowering. It can be pruned by about one third to keep the plant compact and free flowering. This treatment encourages the bush to branch and produces new growth which provides the next season's flowers. Apply a light dressing of lime every autumn. A light application (50g/m2) of general purpose fertiliser in spring is also recommended. Lavenders prefer to receive full sun for at least three-quarters of the day and must not be crowded by other plants.

Flowers of this species attract bees making it a useful addition to wildlife-friendly gardens and for pollinating edible crops.

Generally free of pests and diseases.

Herb Garden

Lavenders belong to the family Lamiaceae which includes mints and sages. Lavandula is one of the oldest and best-loved fragrant garden plants. The generic name Lavandula is derived from the Latin word "lavare" meaning "to wash" since the Romans made a habit of perfuming their baths with lavender. The Greeks also used lavender but more for its medicinal qualities. Since the early 1990s, the diversity of plant-based products used for making cosmetics, herbal medicines, functional foods, potpourri, colouring agents and other products has increased. In traditional medicine, fresh leaves and flowers are used to relieve headaches and rheumatic pains and the vapour from boiling leaves and flowers is used to treat colds.