Lavender ‘Grosso’ – Strong Fragrance, Silvery Foliage, and Superb Summer Colour
Lavandula × intermedia ‘Grosso’ is one of the finest lavenders for fragrance, resilience, and sheer flower power. Taller and more robust than many English lavender types, it forms a generous mound of silvery, aromatic foliage topped in midsummer by long, elegant spikes of violet-purple blooms. When in full flower, the plant hums with bees and butterflies, filling the garden with movement, colour, and a beautifully intense scent.
Its long flower stems make ‘Grosso’ a favourite for cutting — perfect for fresh arrangements or drying for scented sachets and home crafts. The plant’s silvery foliage stays tidy throughout the year, offering soft texture and a classic Mediterranean feel even after the flowers fade.
Tough, drought tolerant, and incredibly low maintenance, ‘Grosso’ thrives in full sun and free-draining soil, making it an excellent choice for gravel gardens, sunny borders, rose companions, and informal low hedges. Whether used in drifts, edging a path, or brightening a dry border, it brings a timeless charm and a generous dose of summer fragrance.
Reliable, long-flowering, and effortlessly beautiful, lavender ‘Grosso’ is a must-have for classic and contemporary gardens alike.
Seasonal Highlights
Spring: Silvery foliage forms compact, aromatic mounds.
Summer: Long violet-purple flower spikes attract bees and butterflies; intensely scented.
Autumn: Faded flower heads provide soft structure and scent.
Winter: Evergreen, silvery foliage keeps borders bright.
Key Features
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Exceptionally fragrant – One of the strongest-scented lavenders.
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Long flower stems – Excellent for fresh or dried cutting.
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Silvery evergreen foliage – Year-round texture and colour.
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Drought tolerant – Thrives in hot, dry spots.
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Wildlife magnet – Loved by bees and pollinators.
Perfect For
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Hedging and edging – Informal, scented borders.
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Gravel and Mediterranean gardens – Ideal for dry, sunny sites.
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Wildlife gardens – A rich nectar source.
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Cottage borders – Classic companion for roses and perennials.
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Cutting gardens – Beautiful for fresh or dried use.
Growing Tips
Sun/Position: Full sun — essential for strong growth and scent.
Soil: Free-draining soil; thrives in poor or sandy ground. Avoid heavy clay.
Hardiness: Fully hardy in the UK.
Care: Prune lightly after flowering, shaping into a dome. Avoid cutting into old, woody stems.
Looks Great With
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Roses – Particularly pale pink or white varieties.
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Silver foliage – Santolina, Artemisia, Perovskia.
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Grasses – Stipa tenuissima, Festuca glauca.
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Mediterranean plants – Nepeta, Sage, Thyme, Phlomis.