English Lavender
Ellagance Purple earned its prestigious Fleuroselect Gold Medal for good reason, this remarkable lavender brings the soothing fragrance of Provence to your garden with rich purple flower spikes and surprisingly fast growth. Unlike most lavenders that take years to bloom, this compact beauty produces its first flowers within 90-200 days from seed, reaching a tidy 12-36 inches tall. Hardy in zones 5-7, it thrives in full sun with moderate water, though some sources suggest spacing anywhere from 12 to 36 inches apart depending on your garden design.
Full Sun
Moderate
5-7
36in H x ?in W
Perennial
Moderate
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What sets Ellagance Purple apart is its ability to bloom in the first year from seed, a rare trait among lavenders that typically makes gardeners wait seasons for flowers. The compact, bushy growth habit keeps plants neat at just 10-12 inches in some conditions, making it perfect for containers or tight garden spaces. Its strong soothing fragrance and rich purple spikes earned recognition with the prestigious Fleuroselect Gold Medal, while its reliable performance in zones 5-7 makes it accessible to gardeners across a wide range of climates.
Ellagance Purple serves multiple purposes in the garden and home, from attracting beneficial pollinators like bees and butterflies to providing aromatic flowers for drying and crafts. The fragrant flower spikes are harvested when about half the blooms are open, typically in the morning when oils are most concentrated, making them ideal for sachets, potpourri, and dried arrangements.
Start seeds indoors 8-10 weeks before the last frost, sowing 1/8 inch deep in flats at 70-75°F. Seeds require light for germination and benefit from cold stratification — sprinkle seeds on moist paper towel and refrigerate for 30-40 days for best results. Expect sprouting in 14-21 days, then transplant to individual pots when plants are large enough to handle.
Transplant to the garden in spring after the last frost when soil temperature reaches at least 60°F. Plant shallowly so the soil line sits just above the top roots, spacing plants 12 inches apart with 24-36 inch row spacing. Mix in compost or organic matter at planting time.
Direct seeding is not recommended for this variety.
Harvest flower spikes on a dry, warm, sunny day just as flowers are about to open, or when about half the flowers are open if drying. Cut stems in the morning when oils are most concentrated, taking no more than one-third of the plant at any time to maintain plant health.
Prune annually after flowering, cutting back about one-third of the plant but avoiding cuts into the woody base to encourage bushier growth and prevent legginess. In warmer climates, prune in fall, while in colder regions, wait until spring as new growth appears and prune only the new growth on established plants.
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