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Lavender ID please

dangermousiedangermousie Posts: 322
in Plants
Hi all, can you tell me what type of lavender this monster is? Its huge with long stems topped with very pale flowers. The bees go crazy for it. It's so bit that it blocked the door and we had to chop it back.
Thanks

Posts

  • tui34tui34 Posts: 3,206
    Beautiful lavender - I have the same!    I make Lavender Rockets with it to put into the linen cupboard or give away at Christmas.  Enjoy that rich aroma!!
    A good hoeing is worth two waterings.

  • dangermousiedangermousie Posts: 322
    It's stunning isn't it! I do wish I'd done more with it. The smell filled the garden earlier in the year. It's so big that it blocks the door though. I'm not sure if we can keep it where it is. :(
  • Busy-LizzieBusy-Lizzie Posts: 22,633
    There are many different lavenders.
    It could be a variety of Lavendula Intermedia. Have a look at the RHS.
    https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/popular/lavender/english/by-height
    Dordogne and Norfolk. Clay in Dordogne, sandy in Norfolk.
  • Busy-LizzieBusy-Lizzie Posts: 22,633
    When it's finished flowering, or next spring if you are in a cold area, trim it to a neat shape, but don't cut into the old wood as then it won't grow again. Lavenders need replacing every 5 - 8 years as they get leggy.
    Dordogne and Norfolk. Clay in Dordogne, sandy in Norfolk.
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 53,974
    You could take cuttings to grow on and replace it. As @Busy-Lizzie says - they can be short lived plants, because they can get woody, and then they don't always survive cutting back either. 
    That would mean you could site some in a better location too.  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • dangermousiedangermousie Posts: 322
    Cuttings sounds great, will look into that. 
    I checked the rhs site but there doesn't appear to be a match for colour and size. It's the colour of ang. But the size of a grosso. 
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 53,974
    Don't forget that your own conditions means that heights/spread are only a guideline. Same with most perennials   :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • MarlorenaMarlorena Posts: 8,347
    A Lavender similar to yours that's commonly found in garden centres is called Lav x intermedia 'Grappenhall'... very similar to Grosso but paler..   I used to grow it here, but I now have one called 'Gros Bleu' which is darker..

    If I had to guess I'd say yours was Grappenhall... 

    Regardless of traditional advice, I used to cut mine back in late autumn, as I liked the look of them as tidy but bulky evergreens for winter, without all those old stems..


    East Anglia, England
  • dangermousiedangermousie Posts: 322
    Yep! That's a match ☺️ Thanks very much. The bees are manic for the pale colour. We have 4 others of various darker shades and they are barely used. But the Grappenhall has been covered in solitary and honey bees, and butterflies and a moth or two. Highly recommended
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