French Lavender
Provence Lavender is a tall, highly aromatic cultivar prized by gardeners who want lavender that delivers on both visual appeal and practical use. Growing 24 to 36 inches tall with slender mauve-purple flower spikes and silver-green foliage, this certified organic variety thrives in hardiness zones 5 through 9 and demands only full sun and moderate water once established. Its rich essential oil content makes it exceptional for cut flowers, dried arrangements, sachets, and culinary applications, while its heat and drought tolerance mean it performs reliably even through humid summers.
Full Sun
Moderate
5-9
36in H x 36in W
Perennial
Moderate
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The slender mauve-purple flower spikes rise above silver-green foliage on plants that reach a substantial 24 to 36 inches tall, making Provence Lavender a commanding presence in the garden rather than a modest edging plant. Its certified organic status and notably high essential oil content distinguish it from garden-variety lavender, delivering a soothing fragrance and versatile applications from the kitchen to the craft room. Even in challenging conditions like summer heat and humidity, this variety holds its ground with impressive resilience.
Provence Lavender shines as a cut flower and dried bouquet staple, where its long stems and purple spikes create striking arrangements. The flowers dry exceptionally well for sachets, aromatics, and craft projects. In the kitchen, its rich essential oil content and soothing fragrance make it suitable for culinary applications, though its primary reputation rests on ornamental and aromatic uses rather than cooking.
For cut flowers and dried arrangements, harvest Provence Lavender when the flower spikes are fully colored but still firm, typically as the lowest buds begin to open. Cut stems in the early morning after dew dries but before the day's heat intensifies, using sharp pruners to take stems at least one-third down the plant. Tie harvested stems in small bundles and hang them upside down in a warm, dry, well-ventilated space to dry completely, which typically takes one to two weeks depending on humidity.
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