Lavandula angustifolia (White)

Lavandula angustifolia 'Vienco Early White' (Early White English Lavender)

Discover the serene charm of Lavandula angustifolia 'Vienco Early White', an exceptional English Lavender that brings pure white elegance to your garden weeks earlier than traditional varieties. This delightful cultivar forms a compact, bushy mound of classic aromatic, silvery-grey foliage, topped with abundant spikes of pristine white, highly fragrant flowers. Perfect for creating tranquil borders, aromatic pathways, or elegant containers, 'Vienco Early White' invites a host of pollinators while offering a timeless, soothing presence from late spring through summer.

Plant Placement Area:

• Full sun: Requires a minimum of 6-8 hours of direct sunlight daily for the most prolific blooms and healthiest growth.

• Well-drained soil: Absolutely vital. English lavenders demand sharp drainage and will not tolerate soggy conditions, especially in winter. Amend heavy clay soils with grit or plant in raised beds/containers.

• Good air circulation: Plant in an open area with good air movement to help prevent fungal issues.

• Versatile use: Ideal for sunny borders, rock gardens, cottage gardens, herb gardens, hedges, or in patio containers where its fragrance can be enjoyed.

Benefits:

• Early, pure white blooms: Offers an early start to the lavender season with crisp, clean white flowers.

• Intensely fragrant: Both the flowers and the silvery foliage release the classic, calming lavender scent.

• Attracts pollinators: A magnet for bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects.

• Drought tolerant: Once established, it is highly drought-resistant, requiring minimal watering.

• Deer and rabbit resistant: Generally unappealing to common garden pests.

• Hardy and evergreen: As an angustifolia variety, it's very hardy (typically USDA Zone 5) and retains its foliage year-round in milder climates.

• Excellent for culinary or craft use: The flowers can be dried for sachets, potpourri, or used in culinary applications.

Watering Tips:

• Establish well initially: Water regularly during its first growing season to help it develop a strong root system.

• Drought tolerant once established: After the first year, it rarely needs supplemental watering when planted in the ground, except during prolonged dry spells.

• Container plants need more attention: Lavender in pots will dry out faster and require regular watering during warm, dry periods. Ensure excellent drainage.

• Avoid overwatering: The most common cause of lavender demise is too much moisture around the roots. Let the soil dry out between waterings.

Care Tips:

• Prune after flowering: To maintain a compact, bushy shape and encourage a potential second flush of blooms, prune back spent flower stalks and about one-third of the current year's growth immediately after the main flowering flush (usually late summer).

• Avoid cutting into old wood: Lavender does not readily sprout new growth from old, woody stems, so make your pruning cuts into leafy growth.

• No rich soil or heavy fertilizing: Lavenders prefer lean, infertile soil. Avoid high-nitrogen fertilizers, which can lead to leggy growth and reduced flowering. A light application of a balanced fertilizer in spring is sufficient if needed.

• Winter care: In very cold climates or for container-grown plants, consider providing some winter protection or moving pots to a sheltered, unheated location.

• Monitor for root rot: Ensure consistent drainage to prevent this common issue.

Light Level:

• Full Sun: Absolutely essential for robust growth and prolific flowering. Aim for 6+ hours of direct sunlight daily.

• Avoid Partial to Deep Shade: Insufficient light will result in leggy plants, sparse flowering, and increased susceptibility to disease.

Toxicity:

• Mildly toxic to pets: Contains compounds that can cause mild gastrointestinal upset (vomiting, diarrhea) if ingested by cats or dogs. While generally considered low risk, it's best to discourage pets from consuming large quantities.

Metafields for Lavandula angustifolia 'Vienco Early White'

• Plant Characteristics:

  • Value: Early Blooming, Pure White Flowers, Highly Fragrant, Compact, Evergreen, Aromatic Foliage

• Class:

  • Value: Flowering Shrub, Herb, Perennial

• Suitable Space:

  • Value: Outdoor Container, Hanging Basket, Sunny Border, Rock Garden, Herb Garden, Pathway Edging

• Sunlight:

  • Value: Full Sun

• Tag:

  • Value: English Lavender, White Flower, Fragrant, Drought Tolerant, Pollinator Friendly, Hardy, Low Maintenance, Culinary Herb, Outdoor Plant