Product Field NotesLavender Plants
Avignon Early Blue Lavender: Deep Blue and Blooming in Year One
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Avignon Early Blue lavender is a compact English lavender with deep blue flowers on strong stems. It grows into a tight, well-branched plant about 10 to 12 inches tall and 9 to 11 inches wide, with gray-green foliage and a strong, sweet scent. As the name suggests, it is quick off the mark: it starts flowering in late May and peaks in mid-June.
It is Lavandula angustifolia 'Avignon Early Blue'. It does not need a winter chill to flower, so it blooms in its first year, and it is rated for zones 6a to 8b.
Avignon Early Blue at a glance
| Trait | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Botanical name | Lavandula angustifolia 'Avignon Early Blue' |
| Flower color | Deep blue |
| Foliage | Gray-green |
| Size | About 10 to 12 inches tall and 9 to 11 inches wide |
| Habit | Tight and well branched, strong stems |
| Bloom | Starts late May, peaks mid-June, repeat blooming |
| Hardiness | USDA zones 6a to 8b |
| Fragrance | Strong, sweet and floral, low camphor |
| Culinary | Rated great |
Why it blooms so early
Many English lavenders need weeks of winter cold before they will flower. Avignon Early Blue does not. Records describe it as flowering in its first year with early, cool-season performance, and note a critical daylength of about 10 hours, meaning it begins to set flowers once days pass that length in spring. In practice, that adds up to a lavender that is ready to bloom as soon as the weather allows.
For new gardeners, it is a satisfying plant: buy it in spring, plant it and have flowers by early summer.
Where to grow it
A plant about a foot tall and wide fits nearly anywhere sunny. Use it as a low edge along a path, in the front row of a lavender bed, in an herb garden or in a 10-inch pot on a step. The deep blue flowers stand out against pale gravel, stone and light-colored containers.
Its zone range is 6a to 8b. At the cold edge, a sheltered spot with excellent drainage gives it the best odds through winter. The USDA Zone Finder confirms whether you are in range.
Planting and care
- Site: full sun, at least six to eight hours, in sandy or loamy soil that drains quickly.
- Spacing: about 10 to 12 inches apart for a continuous edge.
- Water: regularly in the first season, then only in dry spells. Potted plants need more frequent checks.
- Repeat bloom: trim spent stems after the first flush for a moderate second round.
- Pruning: keep it tight with a light shape after bloom, staying in leafy growth. The Pruning Calendar has timing.
Harvest and uses
Avignon Early Blue is rated great for culinary use. Its early peak makes it one of the first lavenders ready for the kitchen. Cut stems on a dry morning when buds are fully colored and just a few flowers have opened, dry them in a shaded, airy place and store the buds in an airtight jar away from light. Use buds grown as a food crop and start small. It is also rated good for cut and dried flowers, and its strong stems hold up well in small posies.
Choosing a plant format
It is offered as a 3-inch plug, a 4-inch pot or a 1-gallon pot. 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 really bloom the first year?
Yes. It does not need a winter chill and is described as first-year flowering.
Is it hardy in Michigan?
It is rated for zones 6a to 8b. In colder parts of the state, choose a hardier English lavender or give it a sheltered, very well-drained spot.
Is it good in containers?
Yes. Its compact size suits a 10- to 12-inch pot with a gritty mix.
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