Product Field NotesLavender Plants
Princess Blue Lavender: Long Stems on a Compact English Plant
Save
Princess Blue lavender is an English lavender that has been grown since about 1968. It combines a compact plant, about 20 inches tall and 24 inches wide, with surprisingly long stems, about 15 inches, that carry mid-violet to bright violet-blue flowers. The fragrance is classic English lavender, and the foliage is gray-green and evergreen.
Long stems on a small plant is a handy combination. You get bundle-worthy cuts without giving up half the garden.
Princess Blue at a glance
| Trait | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Botanical name | Lavandula angustifolia 'Princess Blue' |
| Flower color | Mid-violet to bright violet-blue |
| Habit | Erect and compact when young, bushier and looser with age; evergreen |
| Size | About 20 inches tall, occasionally to 29.5 inches, and 24 inches wide; stems about 15 inches |
| Bloom | Starts mid-June, peaks mid-August, moderate rebloom |
| Hardiness | USDA zones 5a to 9b; RHS hardiness rating H5 |
| Fragrance | Classic English lavender |
| Introduced | About 1968 |
How it changes with age
Princess Blue starts out erect and compact and becomes bushier and looser as it matures. That is normal for many English lavenders, but it is more noticeable with long-stemmed types. The fix is simple: prune every year. After the main bloom, shear the plant into a rounded mound, cutting into leafy growth but not into bare wood. Regular trimming keeps it dense and delays the open, woody center that unpruned lavender develops. The Pruning Calendar shows when to cut.
Planting and care
- Sun: full sun, six to eight hours or more.
- Soil: sandy or loamy and fast to drain; raise beds in heavy clay.
- Spacing: about 24 inches apart, its mature width.
- Water: deeply when the top few inches dry during the first season, then rarely.
- Feeding: light. Rich soil makes long stems weak and floppy.
- Winter: keep the crown dry and free of heavy mulch.
A later peak for longer color
Princess Blue starts flowering in mid-June but peaks in mid-August, later than many compact English lavenders. That makes it a good partner for June bloomers, carrying violet-blue color into late summer. Plan a sequence with the Lavender Bloom Calendar.
Harvest and uses
The 15-inch stems are the highlight. Cut for dried bundles when spikes are colored and about a third of the flowers have opened, then hang small bunches in a dark, airy place. Princess Blue is also rated great for culinary use: harvest buds a little earlier, while mostly unopened, dry them in the shade and store airtight. Use only plants grown and handled as a food crop, and start small. Its essential oil suitability is rated excellent. Pollinators visit often, and deer tend to avoid it.
It is offered as 3-inch plugs, 4-inch pots and 1-gallon pots. See the product page for current sizes and availability.
For the longest stems at harvest, avoid shearing too late in the season. A trim right after the main flush gives the plant time to harden off before winter and set up strong new growth for next year.
Frequently asked questions
Why is my Princess Blue getting loose and open?
It naturally becomes bushier and looser with age. Annual pruning after bloom keeps it compact and full.
How long are the stems?
About 15 inches, long for a compact English lavender and great for bundles.
Is it good for cooking?
Yes. It is rated great for culinary use with a classic English lavender fragrance.
Share how it went in your field