Product Field NotesLavender Plants
Aromatico Evolution Lavender: Exceptional Scent from the First Year
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Aromatico Evolution lavender is an English lavender bred around one idea: scent. Its fragrance is rated exceptional, sweet and floral with soft herbal notes and little camphor. The plant grows upright, about 14 to 20 inches tall and 10 to 12 inches wide, with gray-green leaves and purple-blue spikes that start early and keep coming.
It is Lavandula angustifolia 'Aromatico Evolution', part of the Aromatico series. It does not need a winter chill to flower, so a young plant can bloom in its first season.
Aromatico Evolution at a glance
| Trait | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Botanical name | Lavandula angustifolia 'Aromatico Evolution' |
| Flower color | Purple-blue |
| Foliage | Gray-green |
| Size | About 14 to 20 inches tall and 10 to 12 inches wide |
| Habit | Upright, well branched |
| Bloom | Starts late May, peaks mid-July, repeat blooming |
| Hardiness | USDA zones 5a to 9a |
| Fragrance | Exceptional; sweet, floral, low camphor |
| Culinary | Rated great |
Where the scent pays off
An exceptionally fragrant lavender deserves a spot where you will actually smell it. Put Aromatico Evolution beside a patio, along a front walk, under an open window or in pots by a door. Warm afternoons release the most scent, so a sunny, sheltered spot near a seating area is ideal.
Its narrow, upright habit, only about a foot wide, also makes it easy to fit into tight beds and to grow in rows. Free, early flowering gives new gardeners quick results, which is always encouraging in year one.
Planting and spacing
Plant in full sun, at least six to eight hours, in sandy or loamy soil that drains quickly. Raise the bed in heavy clay. Space plants about 12 to 15 inches apart for a continuous row. In containers, use a gritty mix and a pot 10 to 12 inches across with a drainage hole.
Set the crown level with the soil, water deeply and keep mulch off the base. The Frost Date Estimator helps time spring planting.
Care through the year
- First season: water when the top few inches of soil dry. Potted plants need more frequent checks.
- Established: low water needs.
- Repeat bloom: trim spent spikes after each flush. Its rebloom is moderate, and timely trimming helps.
- Pruning: shape the plant after the main bloom, staying in leafy growth. See the Pruning Calendar.
- Feeding: very light. Rich soil reduces scent and flowering.
Harvest and uses
English lavender is the classic culinary type, and Aromatico Evolution is rated great for culinary use. Harvest buds on a dry morning when they are fully colored and just a few flowers have opened, then dry them in a shaded, airy spot. Use buds grown as a food crop, and start small: a very fragrant lavender is also a strong-tasting one.
The same harvest makes fragrant sachets and small bundles. It is rated good for cut and dried flowers.
Choosing a plant format
It is offered as a 3-inch plug, a 4-inch pot or a 1-gallon pot. A 4-inch or gallon plant gives a patio pot a fast start. See the product page for current sizes and availability, and use Notify Me there if it is not available right now.
Frequently asked questions
Will it bloom the first year?
Yes. It does not need a winter chill to flower, and it is described as early and free flowering.
How is it different from Aromatico Forte Blue?
Both are upright Aromatico lavenders of similar size. Evolution has purple-blue flowers and gray-green foliage; Forte Blue has blue flowers, silver foliage and extra vigor.
Is it hardy enough for Michigan?
It is rated for zones 5a to 9a. Good drainage matters most through wet winters and spring thaws.
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