{"product_id":"imperial-french-lavender-lavandula-dentata-imperial","title":"Imperial French Lavender - Lavandula dentata 'Imperial'","description":"\u003cp\u003eImperial French Lavender (\u003cem\u003eLavandula dentata\u003c\/em\u003e 'Imperial') is a rounded, silvery shrub about 1m tall and wide, with serrated grey-green leaves and long-stemmed purple flowers topped with small tufts in spring. French lavender takes heat better than English lavender and cold better than Italian lavender, which makes Imperial a sensible first lavender for a mild or warm garden.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhy you'll love it\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eA good middle path.\u003c\/strong\u003e It is tougher in heat than English lavender and hardier in cold than Italian lavender, so it suits a wider range of gardens.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLong, straight stems.\u003c\/strong\u003e The tall flower stems are made for cutting, and the flowers dry well for arrangements and potpourri.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eToothed silver-green leaves.\u003c\/strong\u003e The serrated foliage looks good all year, even out of flower, and gives borders a soft backdrop.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBees and butterflies love it.\u003c\/strong\u003e Spring flowers feed pollinators, so it earns its place in a wildlife-friendly planting.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHeat and drought tolerant.\u003c\/strong\u003e Once established it handles hot, dry spells with little more than an occasional deep soak.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhere it works best\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eInformal hedges.\u003c\/strong\u003e Plant 60cm apart in a single row. At that spacing the bushes meet in about two seasons and form a hedge about 1m high. Clip after the spring flush to hold the shape.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRockeries and gravel gardens.\u003c\/strong\u003e Pale foliage suits gravel mulch, sunny banks and dry-climate designs, and the sharp drainage in those spots is exactly what it wants.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePots and cottage beds.\u003c\/strong\u003e In a large pot it flanks a sunny doorway, and in a cottage planting it pairs well with roses, daisies and ornamental grasses.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eGrowing Imperial French Lavender in Australia\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePosition and climate.\u003c\/strong\u003e Full sun with good airflow. French lavender suits warm temperate, Mediterranean, dry cool temperate and subtropical gardens. Imperial tolerates light frost once established, so in regions with hard, regular frosts choose English lavender instead.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSoil.\u003c\/strong\u003e Free-draining soil is essential, and wet feet are the usual cause of failure. On clay or in humid areas, plant on a raised mound and finish it with gravel mulch.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWater and feed.\u003c\/strong\u003e Mulch and water regularly for the first 12 weeks, then rely on deep, infrequent watering in dry spells. One feed of slow release fertiliser after flowering is plenty.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePruning.\u003c\/strong\u003e Prune twice a year, taking only a third of the foliage and staying out of the old wood. Regular trimming stops the base turning woody and open.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhat to expect when it arrives\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe sell Imperial French Lavender as tube stock, a young plant in an 80mm deep tube that establishes quickly. It arrives as a small, leafy plant that picks up speed in warm soil and needs a season to fill out. Tube stock is grown for us and is not always available. If the tube shows as sold out, the grower has none at the moment, and the notify button on the page will email you the day it returns.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePlants are delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95. Every plant is covered by our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003ePlant care guides and related reading\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/collections\/lavender\"\u003eBrowse the lavender collection\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/blogs\/blog\/lavender-care-guide-australia\"\u003eHow to choose and grow lavender in Australia\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/collections\/rockery-plants\"\u003eRockery plants for sunny, dry beds\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/collections\/bee-and-butterfly-plants\"\u003eBee and butterfly friendly plants\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eCommon questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWill French lavender cope with frost?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eImperial tolerates light frost once it is established, especially in a sheltered spot with good drainage. Where winters bring hard, regular frosts, English lavender is the safer pick.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eDoes it flower all year?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe main flush is in spring. In warm districts French lavenders often send up odd flowers outside that season, and a light trim after flowering encourages them.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eIs it safe for pets?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLavender can upset cats and dogs if they eat a lot of it, so we do not list it as pet friendly. The strong scent puts most animals off, but supervise a curious chewer.\u003c\/p\u003e\n","brand":"Nursery Near Me","offers":[{"title":"Tube (Backorder)","offer_id":67790710145343,"sku":"LAV-DEN-IMPERI-tube","price":15.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0691\/2917\/5359\/files\/imperial-french-lavender-lavandula-dentata-imperial.jpg?v=1792208836","url":"https:\/\/nurserynearme.com.au\/products\/imperial-french-lavender-lavandula-dentata-imperial","provider":"Nursery Near Me","version":"1.0","type":"link"}