Allard's Lavender

Allard's Lavender (Lavandula x allardii) is the big, bold lavender for informal hedges and feature plantings. It grows 1 to 1.5m tall and wide, with broad toothed grey-green leaves and slender, dark purple flower spikes on long stems. It stands up to humidity better than some other lavender species, which is a real advantage in warmer, wetter gardens.

Why you'll love it

• Big and upright. A very upright habit and broad leaves give it more presence than the small lavenders, so it works as a hedge or a feature shrub.
• Strong fragrance. The dark purple flower spikes carry the heavy scent of Portuguese lavender, and the foliage is aromatic too.
• Heat and drought tolerant. It is among the most waterwise lavenders, happy in baking sun and poor, dry soil.
• Copes with humidity. Some lavender species struggle when the air is damp, but this one stands up better to it.
• Loved by bees and butterflies. The long flower stems are a magnet for pollinators, and cut stems dry well for arrangements or potpourri.

Where it works best

Informal hedging. Plant 1m apart for a loose, fragrant hedge 1 to 1.5m tall. Clip it lightly twice a year to hold the shape, and expect a soft outline rather than a formal wall.

Feature planting and cottage gardens. A single plant makes a bold silver-grey mound beside a path or gate, and a drift of three or five anchors a sunny border.

Rockeries and large pots. It suits dry rockery pockets and big containers on a sunny terrace, provided the drainage is sharp.

Growing Allard's Lavender in Australia

Position and climate. Full sun gives the best flowers, although it tolerates lower light with fewer blooms. It is at home in cool, dry climates and handles heat and humidity well. It is not as cold tolerant as English or French lavender, but an established plant should survive a light overnight frost.

Soil. Free draining soil is essential. Avoid wet feet, and plant on a mound in heavy clay.

Water and feed. Mulch and water regularly for the first 12 weeks while the roots establish. After that it is drought tolerant. Give it a yearly dose of slow release fertiliser after flowering.

Pruning. Prune twice a year, taking off only a third of the foliage and never cutting into old wood. Lavender can upset cats and dogs if they eat a lot of it.

What to expect when it arrives

We sell Allard's Lavender as tube stock, a young plant in an 80mm deep tube that establishes quickly once planted. Tubes arrive small and upright, and they build into a full shrub over a couple of seasons. Tube stock is supplied by our grower and is not always on hand. When the tube shows as sold out, the grower has none at the moment, and the notify button on the page emails you the day it is back.

Plants are delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95. Every plant is covered by our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.

Plant care guides and related reading

• Browse the full lavender range
• Lavender care guide for Australian gardens
• Best hedging plants
• More drought tolerant plants

Common questions

What kind of lavender is Allard's?

It is a hybrid of French lavender (Lavandula dentata) and Portuguese lavender (Lavandula latifolia), named after Gaston Allard. It has the indented leaves of French lavender on a broader scale.

Will it flower well in a humid garden?

It copes with humidity better than many lavenders, but drainage still decides success. Use a raised bed or mound, keep mulch off the stems and water at the base.

How hard can I prune it?

Not very. Remove about a third of the foliage twice a year and keep the cuts above green growth. Allard's is woody at the base and does not reshoot from bare old stems.