× Lavandula intermedia 'Provence' (Lavender)

'Provence' is one of the most beloved lavandins, a hybrid between English and spike lavender that delivers some of the tallest, most fragrant flower spikes in the lavender world. The plants grow into full rounded mounds reaching 2 to 3 feet tall and equally wide, covered in midsummer with long silvery stems topped by pale lavender-purple flowers. The fragrance is rich and true.

Give 'Provence' full sun and sharply drained soil. This is not a plant for wet feet. Good drainage is the single most important factor in its long-term success, especially on the Oregon coast where winter rainfall is substantial. A raised bed or sloped site with amended sandy or gravelly soil works well. Annual pruning after bloom, cutting back by about one-third, keeps plants compact.

Deer and rabbits largely leave lavender alone, and the flowers are exceptional for bees and butterflies. 'Provence' is one of the more humidity-tolerant lavandins, which gives it an edge on the coast.