It is a strongly aromatic shrub growing as high as tall. The leaves are evergreen, long, and broad. The flowers are pinkish-purple, produced on spikes long at the top of slender, leafless stems long.
Etymology
The species nameangustifolia is Latin for "narrow leaf". Previously, it was known as Lavandula officinalis, referring to its medicinal properties.
Cultivation
English lavender is commonly grown as an ornamental plant. It is popular for its colourful flowers, its fragrance, and its ability to survive with low water consumption. It does not grow well in continuously damp soil and may benefit from increased drainage provided by inorganic mulches such as gravel. It does best in Mediterranean climates similar to its native habitat, characterised by wet winters and dry summers. It is fairly tolerant of low temperatures and is generally considered hardy to USDA zone 5. It tolerates acid soils but favours neutral to alkaline soils, and in some conditions it may be short-lived.
Cultivars
The following cultivars of L. angustifolia and its hybrids have gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit:-
'Hidcote Superior', a compact evergreen shrub 40 cm x 45 cm with fragrant gray-green foliage and deep violet-blue flowers in summer, prefers full sun, well drained soil, low water, hardy to -30 °C, western Mediterranean species
'Munstead' L. angustifolia variety, 30 cm tall, having pink-purple to lavender-blue inflorescences that are slightly fragrant, named after Munstead Wood in Surrey, which was the home of Gertrude Jekyll
'Sarah', grows to 15-60 cm, the flowers are petite, as is the plant, used as a short edging, or as a very fragrant addition to the window box, dark violet flowers
'Lady Lavender', grows to 45 cm, fragrant, gray-green foliage and lavender-blue flowers in summer, prefers full sun, well-drained soil, low water, hardy to -30 °C
'Hidcote' L. angustifolia variety. 40 to 50 cm tall, with silver-gray foliage and deep violet-blue inflorescences, named after Hidcote Manor in England as it was cultivated there by Major Lawrence Johnston
'Jean Davis' 50-60 cm tall, up to 1 m. A pale pink flowered lavender with exceptionally fruity taste
'Hidcote Giant'. A Lavandula x intermedias lavandin. Very vigorous grower with a lovely strong fragrance. This has large deep Lavender-purple flowers on very long 60 cm stems.
'Vera' 75 to 90 cm. Thought to be the original species lavender, harvested for its oil.
Uses
The flowers and leaves are used as a herbal medicine, either in the form of lavender oil or as a herbal tea. The flowers are also used as a culinary herb, most often as part of the North American version of the French herb blend called herbes de Provence. Lavender essential oil, when diluted with a carrier oil, is commonly used as a relaxant with massage therapy. Products for home use, such as lotions, eye pillows and bath oils, etc., are also used. Both the petals and the oil are the most popular ingredients in handmade soap. Dried lavender flowers and lavender essential oil are also used as a prevention against clothing moths, which do not like their scent. Lavandula angustifolia is included in the Tasmanian Fire Service's list of low flammability plants, indicating that it is suitable for growing within a building protection zone.
Subspecies
Lavandula angustifolia subsp. angustifolia
Lavandula angustifolia subsp. pyrenaica
Hybrids
Lavandula hybrids are referred to as lavandins. Hybrids between L. angustifolia and L. latifolia are called Lavandula x intermedia. They bloom later than the ordinary English lavenders.
