Product Field NotesLavender Plants
Big Time Blue Lavender: Long, Dense Spikes for Bouquets
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Big Time Blue lavender lives up to its name. It is a vigorous, upright English lavender about 24 to 30 inches tall and 18 to 24 inches wide, with aromatic silvery foliage and long, dense spikes of deep blue to violet-blue flowers. The scent is sweet and floral with soft herbal notes and little camphor.
Exact-cultivar records list Big Time Blue as Lavandula angustifolia 'Armtipp01' and place it in USDA zones 5 to 9; our listing rates it for zones 5a to 9b.
Big Time Blue at a glance
| Trait | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Botanical name | Lavandula angustifolia 'Armtipp01' (Big Time Blue) |
| Flower color | Deep blue to violet-blue, long dense spikes |
| Foliage | Silvery and aromatic |
| Size | About 24 to 30 inches tall and 18 to 24 inches wide |
| Habit | Vigorous, upright and compact |
| Bloom | Starts early June, peaks mid-July, repeat blooming |
| Hardiness | USDA zones 5a to 9b |
| Fragrance | Strong, sweet and floral, low camphor |
| Cut and dried | Rated excellent for both |
A bouquet lavender
Many English lavenders have short stems and small spikes that work best in sachets. Big Time Blue is different: its long, dense spikes give a bouquet real presence, and it is rated excellent for both fresh and dried flowers. That makes it a strong choice for anyone planning a cutting row, selling bundles at a market stand or making wreaths.
For fresh bouquets, cut when the first few flowers on each spike open; the rest will open in the vase. For dried bundles, wait until about a third of the spike is open, then hang bundles upside down in a dark, airy spot. The Cut Flower Planner helps size a cutting patch.
Planting and spacing
Give it full sun, at least six to eight hours, and soil that drains quickly. Sandy or loamy soil is ideal; in clay, build a raised row. Space plants about 24 inches apart, a little more in humid spots, so air moves through the vigorous growth. Set the crown level with the soil, water deeply and keep mulch off the base.
Care through the year
- First season: water when the top few inches of soil dry.
- Established: low water needs. Vigorous plants still dislike wet feet.
- Winter chill: it needs a cold period to flower well, which Great Lakes winters provide.
- Repeat bloom: harvest or trim promptly after the first flush for a moderate second round.
- Pruning: shape the plant after the main bloom, leaving green growth above the woody base. See the Pruning Calendar.
In the kitchen
Big Time Blue is rated great for culinary use. For cooking, cut stems a little earlier than for bundles, when buds are fully colored but few have opened. Dry them in a shaded, airy place, rub off the buds and store them in an airtight jar away from light. Use buds grown as a food crop and start small.
Choosing a plant format
It is offered as a 3-inch plug, a 4-inch pot or a 1-gallon pot. Plugs are an economical way to plant a cutting row. See the product page for current sizes and availability, and use Notify Me there if it is not available right now.
Frequently asked questions
Is Big Time Blue the same as Armtipp01?
Exact-cultivar records list Big Time Blue as 'Armtipp01'. We also carry a separate Armtipp01 listing with its own size records, so check each listing for current details.
How tall does it get?
Published landscape sizes run about 24 to 30 inches tall and 18 to 24 inches wide.
Is it good for drying?
Yes. It is rated excellent for dried flowers, and its dense spikes hold their shape well.
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