Torch Minty Ice Lavender is a frost-hardy perennial herb that brings an unexpected sensory twist to traditional lavender growing. This compact cultivar, hardy in zones 7, 10, pairs silvery-gray ferny foliage with spikes of steely lavender blooms and releases an intoxicating wintermint fragrance that lingers long after you brush past it. At just 2, 3 inches tall at maturity, it's small enough for containers yet striking enough to anchor a cottage garden border. You'll be harvesting aromatic foliage within 90, 200 days, depending on your growing conditions.
12
Full Sun
Low
7-10
3in H x ?in W
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High
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The fragrance alone sets this lavender apart: an icy blast of cool mint woven through classic lavender warmth, a combination so distinctive it becomes unforgettable. The frosted appearance comes from its silvery-gray, finely divided foliage topped with steely purple flower spikes, creating an ornamental quality that justifies space in any garden. Its compact, tidy growth habit and ability to thrive in poor, well-drained soil makes it exceptionally low-maintenance once established.
Torch Minty Ice works beautifully as an edible ornamental in mixed container plantings and cottage garden borders, where its unusual minty-lavender fragrance and visual texture earn attention. The foliage and flowers can be harvested for sachets, herbal teas, and fragrant arrangements, combining ornamental appeal with practical herbal use.
No timeline data available yet for this variety.
Start seeds indoors 6, 8 weeks before your last frost date in a seed-starting mix at a constant temperature of 65, 75°F. Keep soil lightly moist but not waterlogged, as lavender seeds are prone to damping off in overly wet conditions.
Harden off seedlings over 7, 10 days by gradually exposing them to outdoor conditions, then transplant into the garden after the last frost date when soil has warmed. Space plants 12 inches apart in their final location.
Harvest foliage and flowers in mid-to-late summer once the plant is fully established, cutting just above a leaf node. For drying, pick flower spikes when they are fully colored but just beginning to open, then hang in bundles in a warm, airy location out of direct sunlight.
Deadhead spent flower spikes regularly to encourage continued blooming and maintain the compact, tidy appearance. In early spring, cut back any winter-damaged growth and shape the plant lightly to promote dense branching.
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