Images Depict Mature Plants
Grosso Lavender
Lavandula x intermedia ‘Grosso’
Grosso Lavender is the lavender I think of when someone wants fragrance, harvest value, and that classic lavender-field look. The long stems are excellent for drying, and the scent is strong enough for sachets, bundles, and arrangements. I like it in sunny borders, herb gardens, gravel beds, and low hedges where pollinators can work the blooms and people can enjoy the fragrance. Give it full sun, sharp drainage, and a light hand with water.
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Highly Fragrant Lavender for Cutting, Drying, and Sunny Gardens
A Fragrance-Forward Lavandin Lavender.
Grosso Lavender is a vigorous lavandin grown for its strong fragrance, silvery foliage, and abundant purple flower spikes. This variety is one of the best choices for gardeners who want lavender for dried bundles, sachets, fragrant arrangements, and sunny landscape color. Its bold flower stems and aromatic foliage bring the classic lavender-field look to herb gardens, cottage borders, pollinator plantings, and low hedges.
Purple Flower Spikes for Harvest and Display.
In summer, Grosso Lavender produces large, richly scented purple flower spikes that rise above a mounded plant of gray-green to silver foliage. The long stems are excellent for cutting and drying, making this lavender a favorite for crafts, wreaths, bouquets, and indoor fragrance. Harvest stems on a dry morning after dew has evaporated, then hang bundles in a warm, airy location out of direct sun.
Pollinator Friendly and Deer Resistant.
Grosso Lavender attracts bees, butterflies, and other beneficial pollinators during bloom. Its aromatic oils also make the foliage less appealing to deer, making it useful in sunny, deer-aware landscapes. No lavender is completely deer-proof under severe pressure, but Grosso is a strong choice for gardeners who want fragrance, pollinator value, and reduced browsing risk in one plant.
Drought-tolerant once established.
Once established, Grosso Lavender performs well in dry, sunny sites and generally needs little supplemental water. It works beautifully in gravel gardens, rock gardens, herb beds, sunny foundation plantings, cottage gardens, and water-wise perennial borders. Avoid rich soil, soggy soil, and heavy fertilizer, which can encourage weak growth and reduce the tight, aromatic habit that makes lavender desirable.
Best in Full Sun and Fast Drainage.
Plant Grosso Lavender in full sun with sharply drained soil. Raised beds, slopes, sandy soil, gravelly soil, and containers with drainage holes can all improve long-term success, especially in humid climates or heavy soils. Good airflow also helps keep foliage dry. Prune after flowering and lightly shape in spring as needed, always avoiding hard cuts into old bare wood.
| Hardiness Zone: | 5-9 |
|---|---|
| Mature Height: | 2 to 3 Feet |
| Mature Width: | 2 to 3 Feet |
| Sunlight: | Full Sun |
| Soil | Lean to average, sandy, gravelly, or sharply well-drained soil |
| Water Requirements: | Low once established; water regularly during establishment |
| Bloom Time / Color | Summer; fragrant purple flower spikes |
| Foliage | Evergreen to semi-evergreen in mild climates; may show winter dieback in colder zones; Aromatic gray-green to silver foliage |
| Ornamental Features | Strong fragrance, purple flower spikes, silver foliage, long stems, cut and dried flower value |
| Wildlife Value | Flowers attract bees, butterflies, and other pollinators |
| Resistance | Deer resistant, drought tolerant once established, heat tolerant, low maintenance when sharply drained |
| Landscape Uses | Herb gardens, pollinator gardens, sunny borders, low hedges, cottage gardens, containers, rock gardens, gravel gardens, cut flower gardens, dried arrangements, fragrant gardens |
How to Care for Grosso Lavender
Be sure to read our planting instructions to ensure a healthy and happy Grosso Lavender plant for years to come!
How should I plant Grosso Lavender?
Plant Grosso Lavender in full sun where the soil drains quickly. Choose sandy, gravelly, or well-drained average soil and avoid low areas where water collects. In heavy soil, improve drainage by planting on a mound, in a raised bed, on a slope, or in a container with drainage holes. Dig a hole about twice as wide as the root ball and no deeper than the container. Set the crown level with the surrounding soil, backfill gently, and water thoroughly. Avoid burying the crown or piling heavy mulch against the stems. In humid climates, gravel mulch can help keep the crown drier than wood mulch.
How often should I water Grosso Lavender after planting?
Water Grosso Lavender deeply after planting and keep the soil lightly moist while roots establish. During the first growing season, water when the top few inches of soil become dry, especially during hot, windy, or dry weather. Once established, Grosso Lavender is drought tolerant and prefers to dry slightly between waterings. Avoid frequent shallow watering and avoid constantly wet soil. Overwatering is one of the most common reasons lavender declines, especially in humid climates or heavy soils.
When should I fertilize Grosso Lavender?
Grosso Lavender usually needs little to no fertilizer in average garden soil. If growth is weak, apply a light layer of compost or a very low-rate slow-release fertilizer in spring. Avoid heavy feeding, especially with high-nitrogen fertilizer. Rich soil and excess fertilizer can encourage soft leafy growth with fewer flowers and less fragrance. Full sun, sharp drainage, and lean soil are more important than fertility.
When and how should I prune Grosso Lavender?
Prune Grosso Lavender after the main bloom period to remove spent flower stems and shape the plant. Because lavandin types produce long stems, cut back the spent flowering growth and lightly shape the mound, but avoid cutting into old bare wood. In spring, remove winter-damaged tips and lightly shape the plant once new growth begins. Regular pruning helps keep Grosso Lavender full, compact, and less woody over time. Avoid heavy fall pruning in cold climates, where tender new growth may be damaged by winter weather.
