Lavandula intermedia Grappenhall - Lavandin

Lavandula x intermedia Grappenhall is a compact hybrid variety of lavender that forms a regular and dense ball of wide, grey foliage, which becomes even lighter in colour when the soil is dry. This lovely vegetation, pleasantly fragrant, is adorned in summer with spikes of surprisingly light blue lavender flowers, which are abundant and fragrant. A plant of arid hillsides and sun-drenched slopes, it is perfect for bringing the charm and scents of the Mediterranean scrub vegetation into a garden, even if it is small in size. This variety also allows for the creation of beautiful pots for the patio or balcony.

The Lavandula genus belongs to the Lamiaceae family, just like sage, rosemary, and thyme. This 'Grappenhall' hybrid, sometimes marketed under the name 'Pale Pretender', should not be confused with an English cultivar of the same name, also known as Gigantea, which is much older, dating back to 1902, larger in size, with narrower foliage and darker flowers. Lavandula x intermedia is obtained by cross-breeding L. angustifolia and L. latifolia. These two species are found in the wild in the same mountainous environment and naturally cross-pollinate. They have given rise to numerous cultivars, all easy to grow in the garden, tolerant of limestone and relatively hardy in well-drained soil. Lavandula x intermedia has broader, less silver foliage and is less aromatic than "true" lavender (Lavandula angustifolia).

The 'Grappenhall' hybrid forms a large rounded cushion of vigorous vegetation, reaching 90 cm (35in) in height when flowering, 60 cm (24in) for the foliage, and a diameter of 60-70 cm (24-28in). Its 6 cm (2in) long leaves, wider than those of true lavender (Lavandula angustifolia), remain evergreen in winter and retain their grey colour even in humid climates. They become more silver in colour when the soil is dry and the climate is hot. However, in cooler climates, what the plant gains in foliage and robustness, it loses in colour and fragrance intensity. This variety has the lightest flowers in shades of lavender blue. It blooms all summer, from June-July to August-September, depending on the climate. Long slender stems emerge from the mass of foliage, bearing beautiful 7 cm (3in) spikes of pale blue-mauve flowers, which are highly attractive to bees.

Lavenders have numerous and varied uses. In nature, these plants of Mediterranean scrub vegetation always thrive in poor, rocky, and dry environments in summer, with excellent drainage. In wetter and colder climates, it is imperative to provide these shrubs with the sunniest slope possible, in poor, very rocky soil, even limestone, and that does not retain water in winter. Naturally, lavenders will find their place in rockeries alongside rockroses, rosemary, helianthemums, artemisias, and thymes. Group planting on well-drained slopes can be created, with different lavender varieties, creating varying volumes, flowers and foliage that will create undulating patterns. Perennials that thrive in dry conditions with vibrant blooms can be mixed in to punctuate the landscape: Linaria 'Canon Went', Salvia jamensis, gaillardias, and Hesperaloe parviflora with its red spikes, adding Convolvulus althaeoïdes, a bindweed which will run everywhere between and within the cushions without smothering them. A lavender border will look even more beautiful when overlooking a wall, with aubrietas for example.

Tips: Put dried flowers in a handkerchief and tie the four corners to scent the laundry and repel moths. Create scented sugar by placing lavender leaves in brown sugar.