Variety: Grosso
Species: Lavandula × intermedia (Dutch lavender / Lavandin)
Colour: Blue-purple — lighter and softer than Hidcote, on taller spikes
Foliage: Evergreen, aromatic, silvery-grey when mature
Height: 80–100cm (32–40in)
Spread: 80–100cm
Flowering: July to August, roughly three to four weeks after English lavenders
Scent: Strong, camphor-rich — the classic pot-pourri and soap scent. Not the best choice for cooking
Hardiness: Fully hardy throughout the UK
RHS AGM: No
Introduced: Selected by Pierre Grosso in the Vaucluse, Provence, 1972
Sold as: Pot-grown plants (P9 & 2L available depending on season)
Plant outdoors: From late April onwards when soil is warming. May is safer for smaller plants
Delivered: From April/May, weather dependent

Grosso Lavender — The Backbone of Provence

When you buy a lavender scented candle, a bar of lavender soap, or a bag of pot-pourri, chances are the scent came from Grosso. It accounts for around three quarters of all commercial lavender oil production in France and it is the variety that colours those famous Provençal fields you see in books about life in Provence. As a garden plant, it is a different animal from compact English lavenders like Hidcote or Munstead — bigger, bolder, with long flower spikes on tall stems that sway in the wind. The scent is stronger too, with a camphor note that English lavenders lack. It is not subtle, it is just trying to live up to its name.

Grosso is a Lavandin — a natural hybrid between English lavender and Spike lavender — which is why the plant is larger and the oil noticeably different. The flowers are held well above the foliage on stems that can reach 40cm or more, giving the whole plant a loose, graceful shape that works well at the back of a border or as a taller hedge. It flowers later than English varieties, typically from mid-July, so if you plant Grosso behind a row of Hidcote you get weeks of colour from the English lavender before the taller Lavandin picks up the display. If we have a criticism from our experience at Ashridge, it is that being such a tall lavender, Grosso can flop a bit in wet summers (not that it ever rains in the UK in June/July).

From a Deserted Field in Vaucluse

In 1972, a French lavender grower named Pierre Grosso found some unusual plants growing in an abandoned field in the Vaucluse district of Provence. He took cuttings, and they turned into vigorous, heavy-flowering plants with oil yields far higher than the older Lavandin varieties that local farmers had been growing. By the mid-1970s, the cultivar that carries his name had replaced the old standard 'Abrialis' across the lavender fields of southern France. It is still there — and it is still the variety that most of the world's commercial lavender oil comes from. As a Lavandin, Grosso is sterile, so every plant in every field (and in your garden) is a clone, propagated from cuttings that can trace their roots (sorry - irresistible) back to the plants that Pierre Grosso found half a century ago.

Planting Companions

Grosso's height and open habit make it a natural partner for lower, denser plants. Put Hidcote or Rosea in front for a stepped effect, or plant it alongside rosemary for a Mediterranean border that can more or less look after itself. Stipa tenuissima and other ornamental grasses are excellent alongside Grosso — the movement of the grass against the stiff lavender spikes is a good combination. For a white-and-purple contrast, pair it with Edelweiss, another Lavandin that reaches a similar height.

Why Ashridge?

Your Grosso lavender is UK-grown and dispatched when conditions are right for planting. We deliver by next-day courier and every plant comes with our guarantee and our customer support team of gardeners here in Somerset is always ready to give you advice. Browse our Dutch lavender collection or see all our lavender plants. We are a Which? Best Plant Supplier — not that we like to go on about it.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Lavandin? How is Grosso different from English lavender?

A Lavandin is a natural hybrid between English lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) and Spike lavender (Lavandula latifolia). The result is a bigger, more vigorous plant with longer flower stems and more essential oil. The trade-off is a stronger, more camphor-rich scent — wonderful for bags, candles and soap, but most people prefer English lavender for cooking. Grosso is the most widely grown Lavandin in the world. See our lavender growing guide for more detail on the different types.

Can I use Grosso lavender for oil?

It is the world's number one variety for oil production, so yes. You will not get commercial quantities from a garden plant, but even a few stems steeped in a carrier oil or dried for bags will give you a strong, lasting scent. The camphor note in Lavandin oil is more invigorating than the sweeter English lavender oil — different, not worse and perhaps more effective against clothes moth.

Can I grow Grosso in a pot?

You can, but it is not the obvious choice. Grosso is a big plant — a metre across when established — and it will outgrow most pots within a couple of seasons. If you want lavender for a container, Munstead or Hidcote will be happier. If you are determined, use a pot at least 40cm across and accept that you will be watering it a lot more than one in the ground.

How far apart should I plant Grosso for a hedge?

About 45cm apart for a solid, continuous hedge. That is wider spacing than for English lavenders because Grosso spreads further. With 2L plants, you should have a filled-in hedge by the end of the second summer. Plant into warm soil — May or June is ideal. Full planting advice in our lavender growing guide.

When should I prune Grosso?

After flowering, usually late August or September. Trim all the spent flower stems and about a third of the current season's green growth. Do not cut back into bare wood — it will not recover. A light tidy in spring is fine but the main prune is the late-summer one. Our pruning guide has a quick video.

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