Lavandula angustifolia Sweet Romance® – 'Sweet Romance' Lavender

'Sweet Romance' Lavender is a perennial that intensely seduces the senses. This variety stands out for its particularly dark violet-purple flower spikes and its powerful fragrance that perfumes the garden. It forms a compact mound of silvery foliage, offering an early and abundant bloom that makes it a top choice for borders, rock gardens, and sunny spots.

• Foliage: It develops highly aromatic foliage. The fine leaves, a magnificent silvery-green colour during the growing season, form a dense and bright cushion that contrasts superbly with the dark flowers.
• Flowering: Starting in early summer, long, sturdy flower stems rise well above the foliage. They carry dense spikes of small, deep violet-purple, and very fragrant flowers. A trim after the first bloom can encourage a second flowering later in the season.
• Light: It demands full sun for dense growth and maximum flowering.
• Habit: It forms a uniform, compact, and mounded shrub.
• Growth: With a medium growth rate, it reaches a height and spread of 30 to 45 cm (12-18 inches).
• Moisture: It prefers soil that dries out completely between waterings.
• Soil: It thrives in poor, sandy, or gravelly soil. Impeccable drainage is the key to its success; it absolutely will not tolerate heavy, wet soils, especially in winter.
• Hardiness: Hardy to Zone 4, provided it has excellent drainage and good snow cover to protect it from extreme cold.
• Resistance: This robust plant admirably resists White-tailed deer and rabbits.

• Types of Use: Its compact size makes it perfect for border fronts, rock gardens, herb gardens, or for growing in containers. Planted in mass, it creates a striking effect.
• Ornamental Features: The contrast between its silvery foliage and dark violet flowers is spectacular. It brings texture, colour, and fragrance to the garden. Its flowers are excellent for fresh or dried bouquets.

• Watering: Water moderately upon planting, then allow the soil to dry out between waterings. It is very drought tolerant.
• Fertilizing: It requires no fertilization and prefers poor soils.
• Pruning: Prune the entire plant by about one-third in early spring to encourage dense growth. After the first bloom, shear off the spent flower stems to promote a possible second flowering.
• Planting: Plant it in a full-sun location with perfect drainage. Amend the soil with sand or gravel if necessary.
• Winter Protection: The most important thing is to ensure excellent drainage to prevent the roots from rotting during the winter. A mulch of fallen leaves can offer additional protection.