They said it couldn’t be done, but finally, there’s a new kind of lavender that looks good all winter. Appropriately dubbed ‘Phenomenal’, it’s so good that it’s now being used for municipal plantings. To understand the hype, I purchased a few plants for a trial run. What I discovered was nothing short of, well, phenomenal.

A NEW DAY FOR LAVENDER

Who doesn’t love what’s exciting and new? This variety checks all the right boxes. Exceptionally tolerant of both hot and cold weather, Phenomenal lavender is built to withstand nature’s trials. Not only does it retain its leaves throughout winter, but it also stands up to humidity. And that’s no small feat for a species that hails from the dry, hot climates of Africa, Europe and Asia. 

But wait – there’s more! Phenomenal’s deep purple flowers are highly fragrant, which according to its creators, is due to the plant’s high oil content. Moreover, they’re darker than most lavenders and they last longer; blooming from mid-summer all the way until fall.

Phenomenal lavender’s flowers are highly fragrant.

But for me, Phenomenal’s strongest appeal lies in its hardiness. The plant looks amazing in winter, maintaining its silver-grey foliage atop a neat, compact mound. Here in Maryland it’s the beginning of February and, as you can see, my plants are still holding their own.

Lavandula x intermedia ‘Phenomenal’ in February

Now compare that to my Provence lavender, below.

Lavandula x intermedia ‘Provence’ in February

HEDGING YOUR BETS

So why is Phenomenal lavender being used in municipal plantings? First, because it requires little to no maintenance. It naturally forms round, bushy mounds and seldom needs pruning. And in all but the coldest climates, its drought-tolerant foliage stays thick and green all year round.

Second, it’s the ideal size. Topping out at around 2 feet with a spread of just under 4, it’s the perfect plant for hedging. Now, thanks to Phenomenal, we Americans can grow the classic, purple hedgerows that so remind us of France. And who doesn’t long for a taste of Provence?

Who doesn’t long for a lavender hedgerow?

A PHENOMENALLY DRY SENSE OF HUMOR

These days, lavender is commonplace in most American gardens. Yet, I often find it planted in all the wrong places, in particular, part-shade. All lavender varieties, including Phenomenal, need full sun to thrive. That means 6 hours or more of direct sunlight a day.

Regardless of the variety, if your plant is located in part shade (or worse, full shade), it isn’t happy. Consider transplanting it to an area of the garden where it can sunbathe daily. This will not only help it maintain its shape, but also ensure it produces masses of flowers for you to enjoy throughout the growing season.

Healthy lavender plants look like this.

Once established, Phenomenal lavender (like all lavenders) is drought-tolerant. Surprisingly, it performs best in dry to medium, even poor, light soils. However, excellent drainage and good air circulation are key.

Most importantly, since lavender likes things dry, you should ease up on the mulch (whose job is to retain moisture.) Keep it away from the base of the plant, or better yet, consider mulches like ground shells or white gravel. These kind of mulches drain better. And they also reflect light back onto the plant. 

White gravel used as mulch.

Looking for more information on types of lavender and how to maintain them? Check out Soleado Lavender Farm, a family-owned business located in Dickerson, Maryland. It’s my go-to reference for all things lavender.

For photos of my garden designs, including plant lists, check out my Instagram at carole.herebydesign. I post seasonally from spring through fall.