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Lavandula x intermedia 'Grosso'

Also Known As

Lavandula 'Dilly Dilly'
Dilly Dilly Lavender
Fat Bud French Lavender
Grosso Lavendar

Plant type

shrub, perennial, herb

size

H: 2'-3'
W: 2'-3'

planting zones

5a-10b

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Lavandula x intermedia 'Grosso' plant details

Lavandula x intermedia 'Grosso' is a broadleaf evergreen perennial herb or shrub with blue and green foliage. In summer purple flowers emerge. Features fuzzy texture. Attracts bees and beneficial insects making it an excellent addition to pollinator gardens. Grows well with sun and regular - low water. Drought tolerant once established. Prefers to be dry in summer. Adapts to various soil conditions. Does well in average, lean and well-drained soil. A good option if you're seeking something heat tolerant.

CHARACTERISTICS OF Lavandula x intermedia 'Grosso'

Plant type: perennial herb or shrub
Plant family: lamiaceae
Foliage: evergreen blue and green
Mature size: 2 FT - 3 FT - wide, 2 FT - 3 FT - tall
Flowers: purple blooms in summer
Uses: container plant, cutting garden, dried-arrangements, fragrant, hell strip, rock garden, xeric, year round interest

GROWING CONDITIONS for Lavandula x intermedia 'Grosso'

USDA Zones: 5a - 10b
Sun exposure: sun
Watering frequency: regular - low
Resistant to: deer, rabbit and snail / slug, heat
Soil needs: average, lean and well-drained

Nursery contributed plant descriptions

Fat spikes of dense purple blooms on tall stems plus great intensity of fragrance makes Lavandula 'Grosso' a prized cultivar for its valuable oil and for cutting and drying. Grayish green leaves. Vigorous and disease resistant. Shear lavenders lightly in early spring just as they begin growth and again after flowering to keep tidy.

By: Phoenix Perennials and Specialty Plants Ltd.

This English x French lavender cross has the best of both with increased hardiness, vigor, and fragrance all combined in a compact 12" ball towered over by spikes of fragrant, blue flowers. S/M/GDr/lime

By: Forestfarm

Zn 5. Silvery-green foliage. Large fragrant blooms

By: Little Prince of Oregon

One of the fattest budded Lavenders, purple-violet 'Grosso' is especially strong and vigorous. Its growth habit is a tight and tidy, green-gray mound even when not in bloom, always appearing to have just been trimmed. A great choice for the natural setting, or try it with Rockrose or Rosemary.

By: Digging Dog Nursery

Thick spikes with profusely-flowering, deep purple flowers. Plants grow to 3' when flowering, with an equal spread. Hardy to 15F.

By: Native Sons

A spike lavender with silvery green leaves, highly fragrant violet blues 2-3" blooms in mid summer attracts butterflies and bees. This combination of French and English lavenders grows where others fail. Tolerant of heat, cold, and humidity. Grows on poor rocky soil and is deer resistant.

By: Accents for Home and Garden

The long violet flower spikes make this lavender an excellent choice for cutting, wands, crafting and culinary uses (ever made lavender ice cream???). Silver leafed aromatic shrubs eventually 18-20” tall and 30” wide with fragrant blooms stalks in summer. Bees loves lavender, but rabbits and deer do not. Full sun, little to no water, well drained soils.

By: Secret Garden Growers

We've been impressed with how well this lavender hybrid has performed in our cold wet New England winters. Dark violet flowers on 18-24" stems. Cut back in April to encourage uniform new growth.

By: Avant Gardens

This cultivar has very dark purple flowers and maintains wonderful color and shape through the winter months.

By: Greer Gardens Inc.

A bee’s best friend, VERY FRAGRANT, the epitome of low maintenance, & a staple of any herb garden, lavender is a common but much beloved plant, & often requested in the nursery, even though it’s (gasp!) something Annie doesn’t personally like. (Lavender’s reply, “Oh well.”). ‘Grosso’ is the darkest flowered, & most potent French hybrid available, & is grown in the perfume & cosmetic industry for its oils. The exceptionally long stems are great for cutting & drying, & they hold their scent, color, & shape for a good long time. With a wealth of medicinal & culinary uses, it’s also a friendly plant to have around the garden, & grows into a 3’ x 3’ densely leafy dome, enduring poor soil, hot sun, deer, & neglect. Lavenders should be replaced periodically – say, every five years - as they are a short-lived perennial.

By: Annie's Annuals & Perennials

Long flower spikes of light purple make an excellent cut flower for lavender crafting. 18" x 18"

By: Dancing Oaks Nursery

Garden photo gallery of Lavandula x intermedia 'Grosso'

Photo of Lavandula x intermedia 'Grosso' flower by Annie's Annuals & Perennials

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By: Annie's Annuals & Perennials

By: Karl Gercens III

By: Alan Lorence

By: Alan Lorence

By: Alan Lorence

By: Alan Lorence

Gardening facts about Lavandula x intermedia 'Grosso' plant

How to Grow Lavandula x intermedia 'Grosso'

Sun Exposure
- sun
Water Needs
- regular - drought tolerant
Water Needs
- dry in summer
Soil Needs
- adaptable
- average
- lean
- well-drained
Special Situation
- heat tolerant

Features

Foliage Color
- green
- blue
Flower Color
- purple
Wildlife
- beneficial insects
- bees
- deer resistant
- snail / slug resistant
- rabbit resistant
Flower Season
- summer
Foliage Season
- evergreen
Texture
- fuzzy