Product Field NotesLavender Plants
Grosso Lavender: The Classic Lavandin for Oil and Bundles
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Grosso lavender is one of the best-known lavandins in the world, introduced in 1972 and still a mainstay of commercial oil and cut-flower growing. It forms a large, rounded, vigorous shrub about 3 feet tall and wide with narrow gray-green leaves, and from late June through summer it sends up long stems, 18 to 24 inches, topped with deep violet-purple, highly aromatic flower heads.
You may also see it sold under other names, including Dilly Dilly and Wilson's Giant.
Grosso at a glance
| Trait | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Botanical name | Lavandula × intermedia 'Grosso' |
| Also called | Dilly Dilly, Wilson's Giant |
| Introduced | 1972 |
| Flowers | Deep violet to bluish-purple, very aromatic |
| Foliage | Narrow, gray-green |
| Mature size | About 36 inches tall and 36 inches wide |
| Stems | 18 to 24 inches |
| Bloom | Starts late June, peaks early August, single flush |
| Hardiness | USDA zones 5a to 9b |
Why Grosso became the standard
Lavandins are hybrids of English lavender and spike lavender, and they are bred for productivity. Grosso pairs big, vigorous plants with long stems, dense deep-colored heads and an intense fragrance rated exceptional. It rates excellent for oil, commercial fields, fresh bouquets and dried flowers, so a single cultivar covers most of what a grower wants. It also carries the Royal Horticultural Society's H5 rating, given to plants hardy through cold winters in Britain.
For home gardeners, those same traits translate into a fragrant, reliable shrub that fills space and gives armloads of stems.
Planting and spacing
- Sun: full sun, all day if possible.
- Soil: lean and well drained. On clay, plant in raised rows or wide mounds.
- Spacing: about 36 inches apart in a garden; growers often leave extra room between rows for harvest access.
- First season: water deeply when the top few inches dry. After that, water needs are low.
Grosso needs a winter chill to flower well. Confirm your zone with the USDA Zone Finder.
When to harvest
Timing depends on the use. For dried bundles that hold their color, cut as the first few flowers open on each head. For sachets, potpourri and oil, many growers wait until more of the head is in bloom, when fragrance is at its fullest. Either way, cut on a dry morning after the dew lifts and hang bundles in a dark, airy place. The Harvest Calendar helps with timing.
Lavandin rates good for culinary use, but Grosso's camphor note is pronounced. Most bakers prefer English lavender.
Pruning Grosso
After harvest, shear the whole plant into a rounded dome, leaving a few inches of green growth above the woody base. This is the single most important habit for keeping a lavandin productive for many years. Finish by early fall and tidy winter tips in spring.
Plants, plugs and trays
Grosso comes as 3-inch plugs, 4-inch pots and 1-gallon pots for gardens, and as 72-cell and deep 20-cell plug trays for growers planting rows or potting up stock. See each product page for current sizes and availability, or the Wholesale Hub for tray orders.
Frequently asked questions
Is Grosso good for a home garden?
Yes, as long as you give it room. It is a large, fragrant shrub that rewards you with plenty of stems.
Are Dilly Dilly and Wilson's Giant the same plant?
They are listed as synonyms for Grosso.
How does Grosso compare with other lavandins?
It is the benchmark many others are measured against. Use the Compare tool to see size, bloom and color side by side.
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