Lavandula angustifolia Hedge Plant Description
An interesting fact about English Lavender plants that you might not know about. Back in the 1700s, English Lavender plants were the basis of England's lavender oil industry, and you can understand why by the fragrance this species releases. Lavandula angustifolia 'Munstead' is a traditional and favourable plant to have in the classic English cottage garden and countryside home, as it makes a stunning compact, hardy and easy to grow shrubbery hedge. Compared to the other main native, 'Hidcote' variety of Lavender from the UK, English Lavender plants have a much softer and relatively pale shade of purple flowers, with a lighter foliage colour.
The scent that is released from English Lavender plants is often used to deter pests from other host plants, including fruit trees. The flowers that produce the fragrance are unique and recognisable, and the grey/ green leaves are also aromatic.
Lavandula angustifolia 'Munstead' flowers from May/ June through to August and attracts butterflies, bees and other winged insects and pollinators, which, as a result, will also attract wild birds. It's a fabulous plant to have in the garden if you enjoy having local wildlife in your outdoor space. We recommend planting English lavender in free-draining soil, and it thrives in sunny conditions. However, please note that English Lavender plants do not tolerate shade, wet conditions, particularly with cold/ freezing temperatures or heavy soil. Some cover might be required to protect the plant over winter to ensure it remains healthy.
Being drought-tolerant, Lavandula angustifolia 'Munstead' is ideal for Mediterranean style gardens and will grow just as well in containers, planters and gravel. While English Lavender prefers sunny conditions and free-draining soil, it does make an extremely versatile addition to a garden. It looks stunning as a low-level border hedge along pathways or planting area or when planted in contrast against other brightly coloured shrubs.
Aside from the subtly sweet fragrance, English Lavender plants have many culinary uses, adding an aromatic twist to honey, biscuits, tea, cakes and even cocktails. Interestingly, Lavender can replace Rosemary in savoury dishes and the flowers are edible, imparting a sweet, citrusy flavour. It can also be quickly dried and stored for future uses.
English Lavender plants are a popular variety of Lavender hedging, but we do also have the following additional types available - Lavender 'Hidcote', French Lavender and White Lavender.
Additionally we now stock a series of specially selected Lavender Collections within our Garden plants range featuring several English and French Lavender varieties plus a special mixed variety pack.
See also our range of low growing hedging plantsfor other shrubby hedge varieties.
Is English Lavender Evergreen?
All lavender varieties are technically classed as evergreen, as in warmer climates they retain their grey-green foliage year round. However, the cooler UK climate means Lavender starts to lose its flowers in August and the plants go into dormancy from early autumn until late spring. During dormancy the foliage turns brown and twiggy, appearing to die back. This is perfectly normal and as the weather warms in late spring, your Lavender plant will once again become green with new shoots.
You’ll see our recommended planting densities for each size and root type listed in the product grid. We suggest that you use these as a guide, taking into consideration how long you’re willing to wait to see your finished hedge. As a rough indication bare roots can be planted at anything from 3 to 7 per metre and cell grown between 4 and 6 - the higher densities here would need to be planted in a double staggered row or zig-zag.
For more information on planting distances please see our
planting density advice section.
Lavender is very easy to cultivate but the key to its longevity is pruning. This should be done as soon as the flowers start to fade in August. They can handle a hard pruning and we recommend removing one third of the plant, not just the flower spikes. This allows light to penetrate into the heart of the plant after which small shoots will then grow a further 5cm before the plants start to go dormant in September.
Pruning in this way ensures that the plants have a lush, tidy appearance through winter. Once spring comes, the new shoots wil re-commence their growth giving you a dense shrub and healthy production of flowers as the weather warms.
Alternatively, you can leave the spent flower heads on the plants until spring because in winter, when food for birds is scarce, birds will come to feed on the seeds - goldfinches in particular! Plants might eventually become wooded and straggly though so it is best to replace a hedge after about 20 years although this is not always necessary.
Lavender and Dormancy
It's important to note that when Lavender goes into dormancy from early autumn until late spring, it will become brown and twiggy .This is perfectly normal and it will become green again in the spring. Read our
Hedges Direct Lavender Guide for more advice and information.
Free delivery is available on most orders (except Premium Products) providing they meet the minimum spend criteria for the size of box or pallet. Pallet deliveries and large box deliveries for tall plants are indicated by icons on the product table listings. Delivery costs and minimum order details for each packaging type are as follows:
| Packaging Type | Standard Delivery Charge | Minimum Order Values (incl VAT) for FREE Delivery |
|---|
| All Boxes (Bare roots and pots up to and incl. 7.5L) | £14.99 delivery charge (orders up to £60incl VAT) | Orders of £60 and over - FREE |
| Pallets (Root balls, large pots (10L+), trees etc) | £60.00 delivery charge (orders up to £350 incl VAT) | Orders of £350 and over - FREE |
| Pleached Trees (Specialist Delivery) | £450.00 delivery charge (orders up to £1500 incl VAT) | Orders of £1500 and over - FREE |
There are some exceptions to the standard delivery pricing structure, which relate to deliveries to more remote areas, overseas, or extremely tall or large plants requiring specialist delivery - for more information see the Delivery Information Page. (Please note that due to new Brexit rules, we are currently unable to export to both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.).
Delivery Time - Please note that delivery times are currently 2-7 days excluding bank holidays. *Some troughs, trees and premium products may take up to 14 days delivery. We are working through existing orders as quickly as possible to deliver new orders within this timescale.
It's Convenient - no need to wait in all day to sign, we don't need a signature (the odd, larger order may require a signature but will be delivered at a mutually agreeable time).
It's Tried & Tested - we use only couriers who have shown consistency in their efficiency & care.
* Please note that delivery costs are based on the final order amount in your cart after any discounts have been applied.
Hedges Direct 12 Month Plant Guarantee
Our plants are guaranteed for 12 months after delivery subject to specific criteria. Visit our Hedges Direct Plant Guarantee Page for full details.
Nominated Day Delivery
Choose a delivery day that suits you with our new Nominated Day Delivery option at checkout. Whilst our standard no signature delivery means you don't need to take time away from other committments to receive your order, we understand that there are times our customers want to make sure they are present to accept delivery, either to plant straight away or to store somewhere safe and out of the way until you're ready to plant.
For an additional fee, you can make sure that your order arrives on the exact day you want it. Please note that this is additional charge to all qualifying orders, including those above the free delivery threshold for Standard Delivery.
Our Nominated Day Delivery is available year-round on the weekdays Tuesdays to Fridays, excluding the day after any bank holiday.
Some products are sent direct from our suppliers and as such are not available for Nominated Day Delivery. These include:- Cell Grown Hedging Plants- Instant Trough Grown Hedging Plants- Instant Hedging Screens- Premium Root Balls (250cm and above in height)- Turf
To book your Nominated Day Delivery for farther ahead than the delivery window available online, please contact our Sales & Advice team to discuss your options.
