Munstead Lavender is a strain of English Lavender. It’s a silvery green-leafed, somewhat evergreen perennial that has been bred for a more compact habit, which also serves in well in more difficult climates (such as on the farm here).

Munstead Lavender makes for a very attractive front border when planted in groups, and it’s woody nature also makes it a fine-looking plant for rock gardens. It prefers conditions that lean towards the dry side, which also lends it to being ideal for rock gardens and rocky borders, as well as elevated beds.

Flowers generally emerge in early June, and species of small butterflies quickly find their way to it’s emerging terminal spikes of flowers. Lavender is an excellent plant for butterfly watchers. Bees of many varieties will soon make their way to it’s fragrant flowers, as well.

For those looking to raise honeybees, try adding some lavender to your honey – surely produced in part from bees visiting it’s flowers – for a unique, delicious honey product. Munstead lavender is also wonderful for creating scents, such as in potpourri's and oils.

Care: Plant lavender in a location that is sandy and somewhat “poor”, if possible, but most of all in a location never sits in water for long. As is the nature with many woody plants, Lavender prefers the soil to dry out periodically during the growing season, and can rot if in a low lying area within your garden during the cold season.

If you live in an area where temperatures dip to below zero degrees F, adding a couple of inches of mulch in the autumn is particularly advised. Snow free sub-zero nights can kill Lavender  roots without this protection. It’s also recommended to throw covering over the top of the plant temporarily on such a  night to help preserve the upper branches, otherwise some die back can occur.

Otherwise, Lavender can benefit from periodic pruning, though if you appreciate the scent (and look) of it’s leaves, pruning for potpourri, and any similar occasional activity, that will more than suffice to help generate fuller growth.

With full sun and weather protections, a lavender plant can be enjoyed for 15 years.