Lavandula intermedia Phenomenal - Lavandin

The Lavandula (x) intermedia 'Phenomenal' is a brand new variety of hybrid lavandin selected for its resistance to cold and damp that usually condemns these beautiful Mediterranean plants. This beautiful improvement of the 'Grosso' lavender ages well, maintaining a beautiful compact and bushy habit without thinning out in the center. A long and abundant flowering in spikes of flowers with a bright blue-violet color, surrounded by a powerful lavender scent, adds to the list of qualities of this truly exceptional variety. A beautiful novelty and especially good news for gardeners in Northern Europe who will welcome it without hesitation, in full sun of course, in rockeries or in well-drained flower beds!

The genus Lavandula belongs to the family of lamiaceae. 'Phenomenal' (Niko) belongs to hybrids resulting from the cross-breeding between the species Lavandula latifolia and L. angustifolia. These two species are found in the wild in the same environment in the mountains and cross naturally. They have given rise to numerous cultivars, all easy to grow in the garden, tolerant to limestone and very healthy. 'Phenomenal' was obtained in 2007 by Lloyd R. Traven, in Kintnersville, United States.  This undershrub forms a compact, rounded clump with dense vegetation, reaching 70 cm (28in) in flower, 50 cm (20in) for foliage, and a diameter of 70 cm (28in). Its evergreen leaves, aromatic when crushed, quite wide and rounded, will turn a silvery-grey color, even lighter when the soil is dry. In cool climates, what the plant gains in foliage and robustness, it loses in color and fragrance intensity. This variety offers a particularly long and abundant summer flowering, from July to August. Long, slender stems emerge well above the foliage ball, bearing long spikes of bright blue-violet flowers, very attractive to bees.

This 'Phenomenal' lavender is a hardy variety, more resistant to cold and damp soils in winter that are found in the north. Like most other lavenders, it needs to be planted in full sun in well-drained (even rocky) soil. In sunny and warm conditions, its foliage will be brighter and its flowers will exude an intense fragrance. An ornamental and Mediterranean plant par excellence, lavender can be used in flower beds, as a standalone plant, in borders, rockeries, pots, by the seaside, and even as a low flowering hedge.

Lavender can be paired with grasses such as Stipa pennata or Stipa tenuifolia, which, with their tousled habit, will contrast with its rounded shape and create a harmonious association often found in nature. It will also work wonders when paired with evening primroses, perennial flax, astragals, euphorbias, or shrubs such as dwarf conifers, rosemary, cistus, landscape roses, and catmints. It blends well with Iris germanica, daylilies, or dark plants such as some Phormium and Berberis. You can also create beautiful pots to place on the terrace or balcony. It is also possible to mix several varieties of lavender together, creating an elegant display with a variety of flower and foliage colors, as well as plant size and volume.

Properties: Lavender is a very attractive plant for bees, as the nectar of its flowers attracts them and produces one of the most renowned honeys. In Provence, the plant is distilled to obtain a highly sought-after essential oil used in perfumery and aromatherapy. Its numerous therapeutic virtues are still widely used: its essential oil has antiseptic, antispasmodic, cicatrizing, depurative, diuretic properties, and more.