French Lavender

French Lavender (Lavandula dentata) is an evergreen shrub native to Spain. It is a tender perennial hardy in zones 8a-10b. In colder climates it should be grown as a container plant so it can be sheltered in the winter. French Lavender can be distinguished from other species by its jagged or dented leaf edges. Foliage has a fuzzy appearance and is silvery-green in color. French Lavender does not have the typical smell most associate with the genus. The smell is much more delicate than what most are use to smelling. Sometimes being described as something between the typical lavender smell and rosemary. Plants will reach sizes 1-3 feet tall and up to 4 feet wide. Plants have a purple flower color and bloom early summer through fall in the landscape. When grown in a greenhouse or areas that get no frost French lavender will flower year round. Generally this species is grown for it’s ornamental value rather then for it herbal qualities.