Product Description
Lavandula angustifolia 'Essence Purple' (20)ct Flat
Common Name: English Lavender
In our trials here at Walters Gardens, we have been trialing a lot of varieties of Lavender because it meets the needs of today’s home gardeners: it is long blooming, deer and rabbit resistant, drought tolerant, and very easy to grow.
‘Essence Purple’ forms a perfect rounded ball-shaped, uniform, dense clump of green, aromatic foliage. In our trials, the plants retained their shape all season without opening up or discoloring.
It starts to bloom about 10 days earlier than standard Lavenders such as ‘Hidcote’, producing a profusion of bright blueberry colored flower spikes for many weeks. The stems are just the right length for cutting for fresh or dried bouquets.
In our trials here at Walters Gardens, we have been trialing a lot of varieties of Lavender because it meets the needs of today’s home gardeners: it is long blooming, deer and rabbit resistant, drought tolerant, and very easy to grow.
Lavender has been grown for centuries for its intensely fragrant flowers and beautiful appearance. It is a staple item of every sunny garden, and its dried flowers are widely used in potpourris and arrangements.
Lavender must be grown in full sun to be able to produce flowers, so do not hesitate to plant them in those hot, dry areas where nothing else seems to grow. They will actually grow better in poor, gravelly soil than in rich humus; don't be tempted to enrich the soil when you plant it. Sharp drainage, especially in winter, is essential for preventing crown rot. Other than that, Lavender is known to have few problems with pests and diseases. Shearing back the evergreen foliage in early spring will rejuvenate plants and stimulate new growth.
Height: 18.0 Inches
Spread: 18.0-24.0 Inches
Hardiness Zones: 5,6,7,8,9
Flower Color: Purple-blue shades
Foliage Color: Green shades
Full Sun (> 6 hrs. Direct Sun)
Low Water Needs
Poor Soil Quality
Bloomtime: Early Summer - Early Fall
Attracts Butterflies
Bee Friendly
Deer and Rabbit Resistant
Seasonal Interest: Dried Seed Heads
Evergreen
Growth Rate: Medium
Border Plant, Container, Cut Flower, Cut Foliage, Dried Flower, Drought Tolerant, Edging, Fragrant Flowers, Fragrant Foliage, Mass Planting
Lavandula angustifolia 'Essence Purple', commonly known as Essence Purple Lavender, is a captivating variety of English lavender that has gained popularity among gardening enthusiasts for its beauty, fragrance, and versatility. This comprehensive guide will provide you with all the essential information you need to cultivate and care for this delightful plant, from its origins and characteristics to its various uses and potential health benefits.
Origins and Characteristics Essence Purple Lavender is a cultivar of Lavandula angustifolia, a species native to the Mediterranean region. While it may be called English lavender, it is not native to North America. It is known for its compact and tidy habit, typically reaching a height of 18-24 inches with a similar spread at maturity. This lavender variety has a medium growth rate. Essence Purple Lavender is a Proven Winner. The plant features fragrant lavender-blue flowers that bloom profusely in early summer, making it one of the first English lavenders to grace gardens with their vibrant colors. In fact, it blooms about 10 days earlier than standard lavenders like 'Hidcote'. The flowers attract pollinators such as butterflies and bees, adding to the ecological value of this plant. The foliage is a beautiful silver-gray color, providing an attractive contrast to the vibrant blooms and turning coppery-bronze in the fall. Essence Purple Lavender is suitable for hardiness zones 5-9.
This variety is deer and rabbit resistant and drought tolerant once established. It is also highly tolerant of urban pollution and can even thrive in inner-city environments. Under ideal conditions, it can be expected to live for approximately 10 years. 'Essence Purple' forms a perfect rounded ball-shaped, uniform, dense clump of green, aromatic foliage and retains its shape all season without opening up or discoloring. Lavender has been grown for centuries for its intensely fragrant flowers and beautiful appearance. It is a staple item of every sunny garden, and its dried flowers are widely used in potpourris and arrangements. Dried seed heads add to its seasonal interest.
Care and Cultivation Essence Purple Lavender is a relatively low-maintenance plant that thrives in sunny conditions and well-drained soil. Here is a detailed guide to ensure its successful cultivation:
- Planting The ideal time to plant lavender outdoors is in the spring, after the last frost date in your area. After removing the plant from its packaging, it is important to allow it to rest for 24 hours in its new environment before watering it. This allows the plant to recover from any stress it may have experienced during shipping.
- Soil Essence Purple Lavender prefers well-drained soil with a pH between 6.5 and 7.5. It prefers poor, gravelly soil to rich humus, so avoid enriching the soil when planting. Amending the soil with sand or gravel can improve drainage and prevent waterlogging, which can be detrimental to the plant's health. Avoid planting in heavy clay soils, as they tend to retain excess moisture. Sharp drainage, especially in winter, is essential for preventing crown rot. Wet, poorly-draining soil and high humidity conditions with poor air movement are detrimental to lavender plants and often lead to their decline. The plant prefers stony and light soil. High summer humidity can be challenging for lavender plants. Using rock mulch instead of organic mulch can improve air circulation around the plant and help mitigate this issue.
- Sunlight This lavender variety requires full sun exposure, ideally at least six to eight hours of direct sunlight per day. Choose a planting location that receives ample sunlight to promote strong growth and abundant flowering.
- Watering While drought-tolerant once established, Essence Purple Lavender needs regular watering, especially during hot, dry periods. However, it is crucial to avoid overwatering, as this can lead to root rot. Overwatering is the most common mistake people make when growing lavender. Allow the soil to dry out slightly between waterings to maintain optimal moisture levels.
- Fertilizing Lavender generally does not require much fertilization. If your soil is poor, you can apply a slow-release, balanced fertilizer in the spring. It is best to avoid over-fertilizing, as this can lead to lush foliage and fewer flowers. If you want to fertilize, use a balanced, slow-release fertilizer in spring.
- Pruning Regular pruning helps maintain the plant's shape and encourages healthy growth. Trim the plant back by one-third to one-half in early spring to remove any dead or damaged wood and promote bushier growth. Remove spent flowers throughout the season to encourage continuous blooming. Shear lightly after flowering to maintain shape and encourage new growth. Prune back to eight inches every 3 years to maintain size and vigor.
- Winterizing In colder climates, Essence Purple Lavender may benefit from some winter protection. Mulching around the base of the plant with a layer of straw or evergreen boughs can help insulate the roots and prevent frost damage.
- Propagation Lavender can be propagated by seed, cuttings, or division. The easiest method for most gardeners is division. Divide established lavender plants in spring or fall. Take cuttings in late spring or early summer.
Uses Essence Purple Lavender is a versatile plant with a wide range of uses:
- Ornamental: Its compact size and attractive flowers make it an excellent choice for borders, rock gardens, and containers. It can also be used in rockeries.
- Fragrance: The fragrant flowers and foliage can be used in potpourris, sachets, and other aromatic crafts.
- Culinary: Lavender flowers can be used in baking and cooking to add a unique flavor to dishes and beverages.
- Cut Flower and Foliage: The stems are just the right length for cutting for fresh or dried bouquets.
- Medicinal: Lavender oil has been traditionally used for its calming and relaxing properties. It is believed to have antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties.
- Mass Planting: This variety is well-suited for mass planting.
- Border or Bed: It can be used as a border or bed plant.
- Herb Gardens: It is a great addition to herb gardens.
Essence Purple Lavender offers a diverse range of applications in gardening, crafting, culinary arts, and even medicinal practices.
Essence Purple Lavender is a delightful and versatile plant that can enhance any garden with its beauty, fragrance, and versatility. By following the care and cultivation tips outlined in this guide, you can ensure that your Essence Purple Lavender thrives and provides you with years of enjoyment. Whether you are drawn to its ornamental value, its aromatic qualities, or its potential health benefits, this captivating lavender variety is a rewarding addition to any garden or home.
Essence Purple Lavender stands out with its early blooming period, typically flowering about 10 days earlier than other English lavenders. This makes it a desirable choice for those eager to enjoy the vibrant colors and fragrant blooms of lavender in their gardens. Its drought tolerance makes it an excellent choice for those looking to create low-water gardens or xeriscapes. Moreover, its compact growth habit and low-maintenance nature make it a good choice for beginners.
Lavender has a rich history and cultural significance. It has been used for centuries for its fragrance, medicinal properties, and culinary applications. Its calming and relaxing aroma has made it a popular choice for aromatherapy and relaxation techniques. With its versatility and ease of care, Essence Purple Lavender is a wonderful addition to any garden, bringing both beauty and a touch of history to your outdoor space.
Other Details
The most important part of the plant is its root system. Healthy roots are the foundation of a healthy, vibrant plant. The type of plug container used is based on the specific needs of the plants. Perennials offered as bare root traditionally perform better when planted as bare root.Planted in a specialized mix, potted plants have well established root systems. Top growth stage will vary depending on the current life cycle and time of year when shipped. In Winter and early Spring dormant plants may be shipped. Dormant plants may be planted right away, even before the last frost date.
Most bare root varieties are field grown for at least one season, though Hemerocallis and Hosta are grown for two seasons. The bulk of the soil is removed during the harvesting process and the tops of most varieties are trimmed back to the crown. They are graded, packed in shredded aspen or sphagnum moss and stored in freezers until ready to be shipped.
See our Container Sizes and Bare Root Perennials pages for more information.
Plant information and care is provided in the Overview section, Plant Genus Page and general information is provided in the Planting Care & Guides. Additional questions can be asked on each Plant page.
Plant Spacing: Using the maximum mature spread or width of a plant to guide spacing, ensures space to grow to full size. To fill an area sooner, plant them closer together. Just remember, future thinning or transplanting may be needed.
Water: Keep a close eye on newly planted perennials, especially throughout the first growing year. Most early plant loss is due to too much or too little water!
