Use & Care NotesLavender Plants
La Diva Vintage Amethyst: A Wide, Low English Lavender for Borders
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La Diva Vintage Amethyst lavender is an English lavender that spreads more than it climbs. It reaches about 14 inches tall and 18 inches wide, with purple flowers on upright stems over green foliage, so it forms a low, generous band of color at the front of a bed.
It is Lavandula angustifolia from the La Diva Vintage series, rated for USDA zones 5a to 9b. Its fragrance is strong, sweet and floral with low camphor, and it rates great for culinary use. The amethyst name suits its rich purple flowers.
La Diva Vintage Amethyst at a glance
| Trait | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Botanical name | Lavandula angustifolia La Diva Vintage Amethyst |
| Flower color | Purple |
| Foliage | Green, upright stems |
| Size | About 14 inches tall and 18 inches wide |
| Bloom | Long window listed from mid-April, peaking mid-July; moderate rebloom |
| Hardiness | USDA zones 5a to 9b |
| Fragrance | Strong; sweet floral with low camphor |
| Best uses | Culinary, oil, fragrance, front-of-border |
A front-row lavender
Low, wide plants are the secret to a border that looks finished. Vintage Amethyst stays short enough to sit in front of taller perennials and lavandins without hiding them, and wide enough that a handful of plants knits into a continuous ribbon. It is also a good choice for edging a sunny walkway or lining a raised herb bed, where its sweet scent greets you on the way past.
The listing shows a long bloom window, opening as early as mid-April in mild climates and peaking in mid-July. In Michigan, plan on the main flush in early to mid summer.
Planting and spacing
Full sun and fast drainage are must-haves. In heavy clay, raise the bed or mound the soil. Space plants about 18 inches apart for a continuous band, or a little more for separate mounds. Set the crown level with the soil and keep mulch away from the base. Gravel mulch is a good match for lavender's dry-footed habits.
Care through the year
- First season: water deeply whenever the top few inches of soil dry.
- After establishment: water needs are low.
- Feeding: keep it lean.
- After bloom: trim spent stems and shape the mound in leafy growth for a moderate rebloom and a tidy shape.
- Spring: remove any winter damage once new growth shows.
See the Care Calendar for a month-by-month plan.
Harvest for kitchen and closet
Its culinary rating is great, and its oil suitability is excellent. For culinary buds, cut on a dry morning when buds are colored and only a few flowers are open, hang small bunches somewhere dark and airy, then rub off the buds. Use only food-grown buds and start with a pinch. For sachets, the same dried buds hold their sweet, low-camphor scent well; tuck them into linen drawers or small fabric pouches.
Plant formats
Vintage Amethyst is listed as a 3-inch plug, 4-inch pot or 1-gallon pot. Plugs are an economical way to plant a long border. See the product page for current sizes and availability.
Frequently asked questions
How is Vintage Amethyst different from Vintage Violet?
Both are English lavenders in the La Diva Vintage series. Amethyst grows wider than tall with green foliage; Vintage Violet grows taller and narrower with gray-green leaves and a colder zone rating. The Compare tool shows them side by side.
Is it a good culinary lavender?
Yes. It is rated great for culinary use, with a sweet, low-camphor scent.
Will it survive Michigan winters?
It is rated for zones 5a to 9b. Sharp drainage is the key to winter survival.
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