English Lavender
Lavandula angustifolia · Broadleaf Evergreen Subshrub (Note: Technically a woody perennial herb, not a true tree)
Plant Family
Lamiaceae (Mint Family)
Tree Category
Ornamental / Flowering Shrub
Variety / Cultivar
Munstead or Hidcote (common cultivars)
Hardiness Zones
USDA Zones 5-9; cold hardy to approximately -20°F depending on cultivar and drainage.
About This Tree
A compact, mounding subshrub with a woody base and upright flowering spikes. Features needle-like gray-green foliage and terminal spikes of fragrant purple flowers.
Leaf Characteristics
Simple, narrow, linear, silver-green to gray-green, oppositely arranged with smooth margins and a distinct aromatic fragrance when crushed.
Bark Characteristics
Square-ish stems when young; develops shredding, light-brown woody bark at the base with age.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Mediterranean region (Southern Europe)
Growing Season
Perennial; blooms early to mid-summer; remains evergreen in mild climates; dormant in winter.
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full Sun; low water needs once established; requires well-drained, alkaline soil; high drought tolerance.
Mature Size
Height: 1-3 feet; Spread: 2-4 feet; Moderate growth rate; Lifespan: 10-15 years.
Special Characteristics
Highly aromatic; used for essential oils, culinary purposes, and dried bouquets; deer and rabbit resistant; excellent for xeriscaping.
Wildlife & Ecology
Attracts honeybees, bumblebees, butterflies, and other pollinators; provides nectar during the summer; largely ignored by grazing mammals due to high oil content.