Provence French Lavender

Provence French Lavender (Lavandula x intermedia 'Provence')

Provence French Lavender, Lavandula x intermedia 'Provence', is a vigorous French hybrid lavender known for its long, elegant flower wands, soft violet blue blooms, and intensely fragrant gray green foliage. Plants form broad, mounded shrubs that look handsome even out of bloom, then send up tall flower spikes in summer that sway in the breeze and perfume the air. With its strong presence, generous bloom, and classic lavender scent, Provence French Lavender works beautifully as a focal point, low hedge, or cutting garden anchor in herb, cottage, and Mediterranean style plantings.

Distinctive Features

Provence French Lavender typically grows about 24 to 30 inches tall and 24 to 36 inches wide, forming a rounded, shrub like clump with a sturdy framework of woody stems at the base. Long, arching flower stalks rise well above the foliage and carry dense spikes of soft violet blue florets, creating a sweeping wave of color when plants are in full bloom. Narrow, gray green leaves provide fine texture and a silvery cast that blends easily with stone, gravel, and a wide range of flowering companions and remains attractive after flowering. The combination of long stems, strong fragrance, and a broad, mounded habit makes Provence a favorite for cutting, drying, and creating generous drifts of color and scent in sunny gardens.

Growing Conditions

• Light: Prefers full sun with at least 6 hours of direct light daily for best flowering, fragrance, and a compact, sturdy habit.
• Soil: Thrives in well drained, lean to average soils; avoid heavy, wet ground and favor sandy or gravelly conditions that keep roots on the dry side.
• Water: Water regularly after planting to establish; once rooted in, water deeply but infrequently, allowing the top of the soil to dry between waterings.
• Hardiness: Well suited to many temperate regions where French hybrid lavenders are grown outdoors, especially when provided with sharp drainage in winter.
• Size: Generally forms a mound about 24 to 30 inches tall and 24 to 36 inches wide at maturity, depending on climate and care.
• Growth Rate: Moderate grower that fills in steadily and develops a substantial presence without quickly outgrowing beds or large containers.

Ideal Uses

• Bold Focal Point: Use as a single specimen or in small groups in sunny borders and herb gardens where the tall flower wands and strong scent create a natural focal point.
• Edging and Low Hedges: Plant in a row along paths, drives, or terrace edges to form a low, fragrant hedge of gray green foliage and violet blue bloom.
• Containers and Patio Pots: Well suited to large pots and tubs where the mounded form and tall flower spikes add height, scent, and movement around outdoor seating areas.
• Herb and Cutting Gardens: Ideal in spaces dedicated to herbs and cut flowers, providing long stems for fresh bouquets, bundles, and drying projects.
• Cottage and Mediterranean Gardens: Mix with roses, salvias, ornamental grasses, and other sun lovers for relaxed cottage combinations, or set into gravel and stone for a dry, Mediterranean inspired look.

Low Maintenance Care

• Watering: After establishment, water when the top inch of soil is dry; avoid constant moisture or soggy conditions that can lead to root and crown problems.
• Pruning: Shear lightly after the main flush of bloom to remove spent spikes and shape the mound; avoid cutting back into old, bare wood below the leafy growth.
• Fertilizing: Requires only light feeding; in spring, apply a small amount of balanced, slow release fertilizer if soil is very lean, since excessive nutrients can cause soft, floppy growth.
• Mulching: Use a thin layer of gravel or coarse mulch around the base to improve drainage and keep foliage off wet soil, avoiding heavy organic mulches against the stems.
• Seasonal Care: In colder climates, provide excellent drainage and a sunny, sheltered spot; in late winter or early spring, tidy lightly to remove any winter damage and keep the plant compact and productive.

Why Choose Provence French Lavender?

• Long, Elegant Flower Spikes: Tall, graceful stems with soft violet blue blooms give impressive height, movement, and classic lavender style.
• Intense Fragrance: Strongly scented flowers and foliage make it a top choice for scented paths, patios, and indoor drying projects.
• Broad, Mounded Habit: Substantial shrub like form provides structure and presence in borders, hedges, and herb gardens.
• Sun and Heat Tolerant: Performs reliably in hot, bright exposures when planted in well drained soil or raised beds.
• Versatile Design Use: Works as a focal shrub, low hedge, mass planting, or feature in herb, cottage, and Mediterranean style gardens wherever you want bold color, fragrance, and a dependable lavender presence in full sun.

With its vigorous, mounded habit, long violet blue flower spikes, and intense fragrance, Provence French Lavender is an excellent choice for adding generous color, scent, and a strong focal point to sunny borders, hedges, cutting gardens, and large containers.