Product Field NotesLavender Plants
Graves Lavender: An Upright English Lavender with Structure
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Graves lavender is an English lavender with a clear sense of posture. Its habit is upright and well structured, with stems that sweep upward rather than flopping outward, and it grows to about 30 inches tall and 3 feet wide. Violet-blue flowers open in early June over gray-green foliage and peak by mid-June.
That upright shape is what sets it apart from the many round, mounded English lavenders, and it makes Graves a good choice wherever you want lavender with a little more height and definition.
Graves at a glance
| Trait | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Botanical name | Lavandula angustifolia 'Graves' |
| Flower color | Violet-blue |
| Foliage | Gray-green |
| Habit | Upright, well structured, compact and upswept |
| Mature size | About 30 inches tall and 36 inches wide |
| Stems | About 10 inches |
| Bloom | Starts early June, peaks mid-June, moderate rebloom |
| Hardiness | USDA zones 5a to 9b |
Where an upright lavender shines
Upright lavenders hold their shape along walkways, where sprawling ones spill onto the path. Graves works well lining a front walk, flanking steps, in a formal herb garden with clipped edges or as a mid-height hedge. Its violet-blue color sits nicely between pink and deep purple English lavenders, so it also blends into mixed lavender beds.
Planting Graves
Choose full sun and soil that drains well. Space plants about 30 to 36 inches apart for individual specimens, or a little closer for a hedge. If your soil is heavy clay, plant on a raised bed or a gentle mound with added grit. Set the crown at grade, water deeply and keep mulch pulled back from the base.
Graves benefits from winter chilling to flower well, so cold winters within its zone range suit it. For spring planting dates, use the Frost Date Estimator.
Keeping its shape
- After the June bloom: cut the flower stems and trim the plant by up to a third, following its natural upright form. This often encourages a moderate rebloom.
- Late summer: stop trimming so growth can firm up before winter.
- Spring: once new growth appears, remove winter-damaged tips. Never cut into bare wood.
- Watering and feeding: water through the first season, then sparingly. Lean soil keeps stems firm and upright.
Harvest and kitchen use
Graves rates great for culinary use, with the sweet, low-camphor flavor of English lavender. Cut food buds on a dry morning when they are fully colored and few flowers have opened, then dry them in a shaded, airy spot. The 10-inch stems are also a handy size for sachets and small bundles, and the plant rates good for fresh and dried flowers.
Plant sizes
Graves is offered as 3-inch plugs, 4-inch pots and 1-gallon pots. See the product page for current sizes and availability.
Frequently asked questions
What does upswept mean for a lavender?
The stems angle upward from the base, giving the plant a vase-like, structured outline rather than a low dome.
Is Graves good for a hedge?
Yes. Its upright habit and size near 30 inches make a defined, mid-height lavender hedge.
Will Graves survive cold winters?
It is an English lavender rated for zones 5a to 9b. Good drainage is what carries it through wet, cold winters.
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