Product Field NotesLavender Plants
Bklvdvlb Lavender: A Wide Carpet of Light Violet
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Bklvdvlb lavender is a low, spreading English lavender about 11 inches tall and roughly 22 inches wide, twice as wide as it is tall. In early summer it covers itself in light violet flowers held in compact clusters, early and freely flowering, over green foliage. The fragrance is moderate, floral and sweetly herbal.
It is Lavandula angustifolia 'Bklvdvlb', raised from open-pollinated seed of the English lavender 'Blue River'. Rated for zones 5a to 8b, it is at home in cold-winter gardens.
Bklvdvlb at a glance
| Trait | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Botanical name | Lavandula angustifolia 'Bklvdvlb' |
| Flower color | Light violet |
| Foliage | Green |
| Size | About 10.7 inches tall and 22.4 inches wide |
| Habit | Compact, spreading and bushy |
| Bloom | Starts mid-June, peaks late June to mid-July, single flush |
| Hardiness | USDA zones 5a to 8b |
| Fragrance | Moderate; floral with sweet herbal notes |
| Wildlife | Great for pollinators; deer resistant |
Designing with a pale, spreading lavender
Light violet is one of the most versatile lavender colors. It sits comfortably beside white, soft pink and pale yellow flowers, and it lightens a planting of deep purple lavenders behind it. Because Bklvdvlb spreads to about two feet while staying low, it makes a soft carpet at the front of a bed, a gentle edge along a curved path or a cover for a sunny bank where drainage is naturally good.
It blooms in one flush, so plan for the green mound to carry the space for the rest of the season. A quick shear after bloom keeps it looking tidy rather than tired.
Planting and spacing
Plant in full sun, at least six to eight hours, in sandy, gravelly or loamy soil that drains quickly. Space plants about 20 to 22 inches apart so the mounds meet without crowding. On flat ground in clay, raise the bed; on a slope, set each crown level and let gravity handle the drainage. A gravel mulch keeps the low foliage off damp soil. The Frost Date Estimator helps with spring timing.
Care through the year
- First season: water when the top few inches dry, then let it go lean.
- Winter chill: it needs a cold period to bloom well.
- After bloom: shear off spent flower stems and lightly shape the mound, staying in leafy growth. It does not rebloom, so there is no need to wait for a second round. See the Pruning Calendar.
- Weeding: keep the spaces between young plants clear until the mounds fill in.
- Feeding: very light or none.
Uses for the flowers
Its best uses are listed as pollinators, fragrance, dried flowers and fresh bouquets, and it is rated good for both cut and dried use. Pale violet dried buds are pretty in sachets and potpourri, where they mix well with darker lavender. Culinary use is not recommended.
Choosing a plant format
It is offered as a 3-inch plug, a 4-inch pot or a 1-gallon pot. For covering a slope or a long front edge, plugs keep costs down. 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 Bklvdvlb rebloom?
No. It gives one early, free-flowering flush in early summer.
How wide does it get?
About 22 inches, roughly twice its height, so give it room at the front of the bed.
How is it different from Bklvdab?
Both are compact English lavenders with code names. Bklvdvlb is lower and wider with light violet flowers and a single flush; Bklvdab is rounder with violet-blue flowers and continuous summer bloom.
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