Lavandula angustifolia 'MUNSTEAD'

Munstead is a name for several plant varieties, all of which are somehow linked with Munstead Heath in southern Surrey, England, where Gertrude Jekyll's house called Munstead Wood was located. The house and garden were designed by Sir Edwin E. Lutyens and built by Thomas Underwood for Gertrude Jekyll, one of the most influential landscape architects and writers, contributing to many renowned magazines at the turn of the century, and creating over 400 gardens in the UK, Europe, and the United States.

Munstead lavender is a British variety introduced already in 1916. It is a medium short lavender with 30-45 long stems producing light violet-blue fragrant flowers. The habit is very bushy yet the stems are somewhat airy making a pleasant fluffy, not congested effect. Evergreen, linear leaves are grey-green to blue-green in cold months, and light green in warm months.

It is best grown in masses in order to fully display its blooming. It is not picky about soil type provided it is well drained. It is a sun loving plant that is used to growing in dry conditions and may rot in wet soil. Cut back previous year’s growth to 10-15 cm every spring to keep it bushy and compact. Fully hardy to min. -27°C (USDA 5b).

Last update 01-03-2016