Product Field NotesLavender Plants
Andreas Lavender: Silver Foliage That Looks Good All Season
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Andreas lavender is a foliage plant that happens to bloom. Its leaves are a bright silver, held in a bushy mound about two feet tall and three feet wide, and in midsummer it adds purple spikes with a sweet, herbal lavender scent. Even out of flower, it brightens a sunny bed the way a pale stone does.
It is a Lavandula × chaytoriae hybrid, a cross between English lavender and woolly lavender. That parentage explains the silver color and the familiar fragrance.
Andreas at a glance
| Trait | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Botanical name | Lavandula × chaytoriae 'Andreas' |
| Parentage | L. angustifolia × L. lanata |
| Flower color | Purple |
| Foliage | Silver |
| Size | About 24 inches tall and 36 inches wide |
| Bloom | Mid-July, single flush, no rebloom |
| Hardiness | USDA zones 6a to 9b |
| Fragrance | Moderate; floral with sweet herbal notes |
| Wildlife | Great for pollinators; deer resistant |
Why silver foliage matters
Most lavenders are judged by their flowers, which last a few weeks. Andreas earns its place for months. The silver mound reflects light, separates darker greens in a border and makes purple, blue and white flowers around it look brighter. It is a natural for the front or middle of a sunny bed, the edge of a gravel path or a low run along a driveway where a softer color helps.
Pair it with deeper green English lavenders for a two-tone hedge, or let it frame a white lavandin for a cool, pale planting.
Planting and spacing
Give Andreas full sun and soil that drains within minutes of a heavy rain. Silver, felted leaves are built for dry air, so good airflow is as important as good drainage. Space plants about 36 inches apart, and avoid tucking them behind taller plants that block breezes.
Plant the crown level with the soil, water thoroughly to settle the roots and keep mulch off the base. Gravel mulch is a good fit; it keeps the crown dry and shows off the silver. The USDA Zone Finder confirms whether you are in its 6a to 9b range.
Care through the year
- First season: water deeply when the top few inches of soil dry, then let it go lean.
- Established: low water needs. Overhead watering on hot, humid evenings is best avoided.
- Winter chill: Andreas needs a cold period to flower well. At the cold edge of its range, a sheltered, well-drained spot gives it the best odds.
- Pruning: after bloom, cut off the spent spikes and tidy the mound, staying in leafy growth. The Pruning Calendar has timing details.
- Feeding: rarely needed.
Flowers, bouquets and drying
Andreas is rated good for both fresh bouquets and dried flowers, and its best uses list pollinators first. Bees will find it quickly in July. For drying, cut stems on a dry morning when some flowers have opened and hang them in a dark, airy spot. Culinary use is not recommended for this hybrid, so keep it in the vase and the garden.
Choosing a plant format
It is offered as a 3-inch plug, a 4-inch pot or a 1-gallon pot. A gallon plant gives an immediate silver accent, while plugs suit a longer edging run. See the product page for current sizes and availability, and use Notify Me there if it is not available right now.
Frequently asked questions
How is Andreas different from Ana Luisa?
Both are chaytoriae hybrids. Andreas is smaller, about 24 by 36 inches, with silver foliage and a 6a rating, while Ana Luisa is much larger and rated from zone 7a.
Will it bloom more than once?
No. It gives one midsummer flush. The foliage carries the show the rest of the year.
Is it a good choice for humid summers?
Silver lavenders prefer dry air, so give Andreas extra spacing and full sun to keep the foliage dry and healthy.
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