Taxonomy of English Lavender Plants: Plant taxonomy classifies English lavender plants as Lavandula angustifolia. The Latin word, angustifolia means "narrow-leafed."
Plant Type for English Lavender Plants: Botanically-speaking, English lavender plants are classified as evergreen shrubs, since these perennials produce woody stems above-ground. However, they are seldom referred to as such in lay terms, being commonly thought of, instead, as aromatic herbs. For research purposes, note that "lavender" is also commonly misspelled as "lavendar."
USDA Plant Hardiness Zones: English lavender plants are perennials for planting zones 5-8. The "French" variety (Lavandula stoechas) prefers a Mediterranean climate and is not as cold-hardy.
Wildlife Attracted by English Lavender Plants: Butterflies are attracted to this aromatic herb.
Characteristics: Reaching heights ranging from 2'-3', their spread can be equal to that or twice that, depending on cultivar. In general, English lavender plants bear flowers that are lilac-blue in color and grow on spikes, with leaves that are narrow and greyish-green. But various cultivars exist, differing in characteristics.
Domestic Uses : Mention of this old favorite immediately brings to mind the employment of its aromatic quality to lend a fragrance to linens, sachets and potpourris. For such dried use of this perennial, harvest the flowers just as they open, and hang them to dry in a dark room with plenty of ventilation. English lavender plants have also been used as a flavoring herb (e.g., in cordials) and as a medicinal herb (e.g., in aromatherapy for sleep).
Sun and Soil Requirements: English lavender plants like full sun and an alkaline, sandy, well-drained soil. They are also drought-tolerant, which is why they're such a good choice in rock gardens.
Landscape Design Uses: English lavender plants are often used in rock gardens, border plantings and in cottage gardens. Their intermediate height makes them just about right for the middle row in a decorative border comprised of shorter annual flowers in the front and taller shrubs or trees in the back. In borders functioning as "living wall" privacy screens (and which, consequently, will have taller components than would decorative borders), English lavender plants could lend interest to the front row.
Caveat: You probably will want to purchase seedlings of English lavender plants at a nursery, since they are difficult to start from seed. However, be careful with your selection. The seedlings bear some resemblance to young rosemary plants, so novices could become confused and wind up buying the wrong item!
More Information: Humans consider Lavandula angustifolia to be among the fragrant plants. Traditionally, it has been harvested, dried and placed in linen closets, making good use of its pleasing aroma. Fortunately, deer pests don't find its aroma pleasing at all; in fact, deer think it stinks! This property makes English lavender plants effective for deer-control in areas plagued by hungry, marauding deer.
