Use & Care NotesLavender Plants
La Diva Spirit Purple Blue: English Lavender Hardy to Zone 4
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La Diva Spirit Purple Blue lavender is an English lavender for gardeners who get real winters. It is documented as hardy to USDA zone 4 and drought tolerant, with violet-blue flowers on an upright, mounding plant about 14 to 20 inches tall and 18 inches wide over green foliage.
It is Lavandula angustifolia from the La Diva Spirit series, rated for zones 4a to 9b. Like other English lavenders, it needs a winter chill to bloom well, so a cold Great Lakes winter works in its favor. Its fragrance is strong, sweet and floral with low camphor.
La Diva Spirit Purple Blue at a glance
| Trait | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Botanical name | Lavandula angustifolia La Diva Spirit Purple Blue |
| Flower color | Violet-blue |
| Foliage | Green, upright and mounding |
| Size | About 14 to 20 inches tall and 18 inches wide |
| Bloom | Starts late May, peaks mid-July, moderate rebloom |
| Hardiness | USDA zones 4a to 9b |
| Tolerances | Drought tolerant once established; needs winter chill to flower |
| Fragrance | Strong; sweet floral with low camphor |
Built for northern gardens
Zone 4a reaches well beyond most of Michigan, into the coldest corners of the Upper Midwest. For gardeners who have lost lavender to a hard winter before, a zone 4 English lavender is a confidence boost. Cold is rarely what kills English lavender, though. Wet soil in late winter and early spring does more damage, so drainage still matters as much as hardiness.
Its violet-blue flowers and green leaves give a fresh, cool look, and the upright, mounding shape works as a low hedge, along a path or in a row in the herb garden.
Planting
- Sun: six to eight hours of direct sun.
- Soil: sandy or loamy and quick-draining. Build up heavy clay or use a raised bed.
- Spacing: about 18 inches apart, or 14 to 15 inches for a continuous hedge.
- Timing: spring planting gives roots a full season before winter. Use the Frost Date Estimator to plan.
Care
Water deeply through the first summer whenever the top few inches dry. After that, its drought tolerance kicks in and natural rainfall usually covers it. Skip rich fertilizer. After the main bloom, trim spent stems and lightly shape the mound in the leafy growth to encourage a moderate rebloom. In spring, once new growth appears, trim any winter-browned tips. Never cut into bare old wood; English lavender rarely regrows from it. The Pruning Calendar lays out timing.
From garden to kitchen
Spirit Purple Blue rates great for culinary use and excellent for oil suitability. For culinary buds, harvest on a dry morning when buds are fully colored and only a few flowers have opened. Dry small bunches in a dark, airy place, rub off the buds and store them airtight. Use only plants grown as a food crop, and start with a small amount; violet-blue buds look lovely in sugar, syrups and baked goods.
Plant formats
It is offered as a 3-inch plug, 4-inch pot and 1-gallon pot. See the product page for current sizes and availability, or sign up for Availability Alerts.
Frequently asked questions
Is it really hardy to zone 4?
It is rated for zones 4a to 9b and documented as hardy to zone 4. Good drainage is still essential.
How tall does it get?
About 14 to 20 inches in the garden, depending on soil and climate, with an 18-inch spread.
Does it need winter cold to flower?
Yes. Like other English lavenders, it needs a period of winter chill to bloom well.
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