Lavender Grosso

Lavender Grosso loves the sun! Therefore, choose a fully sunny location for it that is warm and airy. An ideal spot is one that warms up well even in winter and does not retain water. In shade or partial shade, the plant will become leggy, begin to wither, and flower very poorly. It is perfectly suited for south-facing slopes, gravel beds, rock gardens, or as a fragrant border along sunny paths.

For successful growing, well-draining, sandy, and rather poor soil is essential. Lavender absolutely hates heavy, clay, and waterlogged soils, where its roots quickly rot during cooler periods. If you have heavier soil in your garden, we strongly recommend digging a much deeper hole before planting and adding gravel or coarse sand at the bottom for drainage. An ideal solution for very heavy soils is growing lavender in raised beds.

Yes, the Grosso variety is fully hardy and, in a suitable location, typically withstands temperatures down to -23.3 °C (USDA zone 6a). It also provides a beautiful winter effect ❄️, as it retains its grey-green foliage. To get through the winter unscathed, it primarily needs permeable, drier soil. Winter dampness and standing water are much more dangerous for it than frost itself. In colder or mountainous regions, you can provide a light covering of breathable evergreen branches as a precaution for the winter.

You can be completely at ease; Lavender 'Grosso' is not toxic at all. On the contrary, it is fully edible and is widely used not only in cosmetics but also in gastronomy. Thanks to its strong and penetrating aroma, it is perfect for making homemade syrups, herbal cookies, flavoring jams, or as a special seasoning for grilled summer meats. The plant is 100% safe for you, your children, and your pets.

This exceptional variety was successfully bred in France in 1972 as a remedy for the then-declining production of the highly susceptible true lavender (Lavandula angustifolia). The Grosso cultivar produces a huge quantity of massive, dark purple flowers, and the total yield of its precious essential oil is up to three times higher than that of commonly grown varieties. It is extremely robust, can tolerate harsher conditions, and despite the slightly more camphor-like notes of its scent, it remains an absolutely indispensable and prized ingredient in the global cosmetic and food industries today.

Lavender Grosso (Lavandula × intermedia) is a natural hybrid, technically known as lavandin. It differs from true lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) in several respects. Firstly, it is much more robust and taller overall. It has extremely long and striking dark purple flower spikes. Its flowering time occurs about two to three weeks later, usually during July and August. It also has a much stronger fragrance with slightly more pronounced camphor notes 👃, which is why it is widely grown for the commercial extraction of essential oils.

Lavender Grosso is classified as a long-lived, hardy perennial. If you provide it with the right growing conditions from the very beginning—specifically, plenty of direct sunlight, well-draining, drier soil, and avoidance of overwatering—it will thrive in your garden for many years without any problems. However, the previously mentioned regular and radical spring pruning is absolutely essential. If you do not prune the plant over a long period, it will soon lose its typical spherical shape, become straggly and heavily woody, and its lifespan will unfortunately be significantly shortened.

Since the 'Grosso' variety is a botanical hybrid (lavandin), it does not produce viable seeds and cannot self-seed. The most reliable and common method of propagation is therefore so-called softwood cutting. It is best to take cuttings in late spring or late summer from new, non-woody shoots. Snip off a stem about 8 to 10 cm long, carefully remove the lower leaves, and stick it into a moist, very permeable substrate with a high proportion of sand. Keep the cuttings in partial shade until they grow strong, healthy roots.

By far the most common reason for unexpected yellowing and drying out of the lower parts is excess moisture combined with poor soil drainage. Lavender simply cannot stand 'wet feet', and when waterlogged, its roots quickly begin to suffocate and rot. The solution is to immediately and radically reduce watering and check to see if water is standing in the bed after it rains. A second possible reason is that you have not pruned the plant for several years after planting; in such a case, it naturally and irreversibly turns woody and bare at the bottom.

We have great news for you! Lavender 'Grosso' is completely pest-free and practically does not suffer from any common diseases in our conditions 🙂. Furthermore, its strong and aromatic essential oils act as an excellent natural repellent, reliably deterring most annoying insect pests, including aphids, slugs, and even mosquitoes. On the other hand, this plant is literally a magnet and a huge attraction for bees, butterflies, and many other beneficial pollinators 🐝. Therefore, no chemical sprays will be needed.

If you want to dry your beautiful Lavender, harvest it exactly when the flowers are fully colored deep purple but not yet completely open. The ideal time is on a dry morning after the morning dew has dried, when the most essential oils and aromatic substances are concentrated in the flowers. Then, carefully cut the stems including a few leaves, tie them into small bundles, and hang them flowers-down in a dry, dark, and well-ventilated place. This will help them retain their rich color and strong scent for many months.