Compact aromatic Mediterranean shrub. Thrives in poor, well-drained soil and full sun.
Hardiness ratings
| System | Rating | Temperature range | How to read it |
|---|---|---|---|
| USDA hardiness zone | Zone 5–9 | −28.9 °C to −1.1 °C | Plant tolerates down to this zone |
| RHS hardiness rating | H6 | −20 °C to −15 °C | Plant needs at least this level of cold tolerance |
| Canadian plant hardiness zone | Zone 5–9 | −23 °C and warmer | Plant tolerates down to this zone |
| Australian (ANBG) zone | Zone 2–5 | −10 °C to 10 °C | Plant tolerates down to this zone |
About English lavender
Despite the name, English lavender is not English — it is native to the western Mediterranean, and earned the label because it grew well in English gardens and dominated the English lavender trade. It is the hardiest of the common lavenders and the one grown for oil and culinary use, since its scent lacks the sharp camphor note of the Spanish and French kinds. Like rosemary it wants sun and sharp drainage above all, and it is far more often killed by wet winter soil than by cold. Plants left untrimmed become woody and open at the centre within a few years.
Growing notes
- Struggles in summer humidity regardless of cold hardiness
- Excellent drought tolerance once established
Categories
Related plants
Cross-check English lavender against your zones