Romance English Lavender

Romance English Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia 'Romance') is a bushy, scented shrub that grows to about 30 to 40cm tall and wide. Slender dark purple flower spikes rise above narrow grey green leaves. It is bred to cope with heat better than most English lavenders, while staying more cold tolerant than Italian or French types.

Why you'll love it

• True English fragrance. English lavender is the classic perfumed type, and Romance scents the garden from both foliage and flower.
• Better in cold and in heat. It handles cold better than Italian or French lavender and has been bred for better heat tolerance than most English forms.
• Bushy and free flowering. A dense, rounded habit carries more flowers than the average English lavender, with no fuss.
• Feeds pollinators and the kitchen. Bees and butterflies love the flowers. English lavender buds are the culinary type, used to flavour baking and drinks, and the stems dry well for sachets.
• Drought tolerant. Once established it needs little more than an occasional deep watering.

Where it works best

Stepover hedges and borders. Plant 35cm apart along a path, drive or bed edge for a low, scented hedge that flowers freely.

Herb and kitchen gardens. Plant it near the back door, where you can cut sprigs for cooking, bunches and sachets.

Pots and gravel gardens. A terracotta pot or a gravel bed gives the sharp drainage lavender wants, and the grey green foliage looks neat all year.

Growing Romance English Lavender in Australia

Position and climate. Full sun. English lavender prefers cool nights and low humidity, so it is happiest in cool temperate, warm temperate, Mediterranean and dry inland gardens. Romance is frost hardy and copes with cold winters. In humid subtropical gardens English types are harder to keep, and Italian lavender is a better match there.

Soil. Free draining soil is essential, and a neutral to slightly alkaline pH suits it. Gritty or sandy ground is ideal. On heavy clay, plant on a raised mound or in a pot.

Water and feed. Mulch and water regularly for the first 12 weeks, then back off. Feed once a year after flowering with a slow release fertiliser, because heavy feeding gives soft growth and fewer flowers.

Pruning. Prune twice a year, taking only a third of the foliage and avoiding old wood. This keeps the bush compact and stops the centre opening up.

What to expect when it arrives

We sell Romance English Lavender as tube stock, a young plant in an 80mm deep tube that establishes quickly. It arrives as a small plant, ready to plant out or pot on. Water it in well, give it full sun, and it fills out through the warm months.

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

• Lavender care guide for Australian gardens
• Browse the full lavender range
• More fragrant plants for the garden
• Frost hardy plants for cold districts

Common questions

Will it handle a cold winter?

Yes. It is more cold tolerant than Italian or French lavender and copes well with frost. Give it full sun and sharp drainage, because wet winter soil is a bigger risk than cold.

Can I cook with it?

English lavender is the culinary type, and the buds can flavour baking, sugar and drinks. Use it sparingly, as the flavour is strong. Lavender is mildly toxic to cats and dogs if they eat it in quantity, so keep it away from pets.

Will it grow in humid areas?

English lavender prefers cool nights and low humidity. In humid subtropical districts Romance needs full sun, sharp drainage and good airflow, and Italian lavender is the easier choice.