Use & Care NotesLavender Plants
French Perfume Lavender: A Long Season of Sweet Purple
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French Perfume lavender is an English lavender with purple flowers, gray-green foliage and a compact, upright habit about 22 inches tall and 2 feet wide. What sets it apart is its stretch of bloom: flowers can begin as early as late May and build to a peak in mid-July, so one plant covers a good chunk of early summer.
True to the name, the fragrance is strong, sweet and floral, with the soft herbal notes and low camphor that English lavender is loved for.
French Perfume at a glance
| Trait | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Botanical name | Lavandula angustifolia 'French Perfume' |
| Flower color | Purple |
| Foliage | Gray-green |
| Habit | Compact and upright |
| Mature size | About 22 inches tall and 24 inches wide |
| Bloom | Starts late May, peaks mid-July, moderate rebloom |
| Hardiness | USDA zones 5a to 9b |
| Fragrance | Strong, sweet floral, low camphor |
Built for small gardens
At roughly 2 feet in each direction, French Perfume fits where wider lavenders would crowd a walkway. Its upright habit keeps stems off the path, and it works well in pairs flanking a gate or steps, in a row along a short fence, or in a large container on a sunny patio. Plant it close to where people sit or pass; the fragrance is a big part of the reason to grow it.
Planting and spacing
- Sun: full sun, six to eight hours minimum.
- Soil: lean and well drained. Add grit to heavy soil or build a raised bed.
- Spacing: about 24 inches apart.
- At planting: crown level with the soil, water in deeply, keep mulch away from the stems.
French Perfume benefits from winter chilling for good flowering, which makes it a natural for cold-winter climates. Use the Frost Date Estimator to time spring planting.
Making the most of a long bloom
With an early start and a mid-July peak, you can harvest in stages. Take the first stems for fresh bouquets as they open, cut a larger batch for drying near the peak, then shear the plant to encourage a moderate rebloom. Finish trimming by late summer so the plant goes into winter with firm growth. Never cut into bare wood. The Pruning Calendar lays it out.
Uses in the home
French Perfume rates great for culinary use and good for cut and dried flowers. Dried buds make lovely sachets for drawers and closets, and food-grown buds can flavor sugar, shortbread or lemonade. Keep dried buds in a sealed jar away from light to hold their scent and color.
Plant sizes
Choose from 3-inch plugs, 4-inch pots and 1-gallon pots. See the product page for current sizes and availability.
Frequently asked questions
Is French Perfume a French lavender?
No. Despite the name it is an English lavender, Lavandula angustifolia, which is hardier and sweeter-scented than true French lavender.
Can it grow in a container?
Yes. Its compact size suits a large pot with excellent drainage. Pots are more exposed in winter, so shelter them once the plant is dormant.
How fragrant is it?
Its fragrance is rated strong, with a sweet, floral character.
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