Product Field NotesLavender Plants
Richard Gray Lavender: Silver Foliage That Steals the Show
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Richard Gray lavender, also spelled Richard Grey, is a hybrid of English lavender and woolly lavender, Lavandula angustifolia × Lavandula lanata. That woolly parent gives it the trait people buy it for: soft, silver-gray foliage that looks good every day of the growing season, flowers or not.
It forms a compact, mounding plant, wider than tall, and sends up purple spikes in midsummer. It has earned the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.
Richard Gray at a glance
| Trait | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Botanical name | Lavandula × chaytoriae 'Richard Gray' |
| Parentage | English lavender × woolly lavender |
| Flower color | Purple |
| Foliage | Silver-gray |
| Mature size | About 20 inches tall and 28 inches wide |
| Bloom | Single flush, mid-July |
| Hardiness | USDA zones 7a to 10b |
| Fragrance | Moderate; floral with sweet herbal notes |
A foliage plant first
Most lavenders are judged by their flowers. Richard Gray asks to be judged by its leaves. The silver mound brightens a sunny bed from spring to frost, glows at dusk and makes every neighbor look greener. It is a strong choice for gravel gardens, rock gardens and the edges of a dry, sunny patio. Pair it with deep purple English lavenders and it makes their flowers look even darker.
Drainage, airflow and humidity
Silver, felted foliage is built for dry air and lean soil. The flip side is that it can sulk in wet, humid summers and heavy ground. Plant it where water drains away fast, such as a raised bed, a slope or a mound amended with grit. Give it space all around so leaves dry quickly after rain, and never mulch up against the crown with bark or compost. Water while it establishes, then sparingly.
Growing it in colder zones
Richard Gray is rated for zones 7a to 10b. In zone 6 and colder, a large container is the safer route: it gives you perfect drainage and lets you move the plant to a protected, frost-free, bright spot for the worst of winter. Keep it on the dry side indoors. If you try it in the ground at the edge of its range, the warmest, best-drained, most sheltered spot in your yard is where it has a chance. The USDA Zone Finder helps you check where you stand.
Pruning and cutting
It blooms in one main flush in mid-July with no reliable rebloom. After flowering, cut the spent stems and lightly shape the mound, staying well above bare wood. Rated good for both cut and dried flowers and great for pollinators, the stems make small, silvery-stemmed bundles. Culinary use is not recommended.
Frequently asked questions
Is it Richard Gray or Richard Grey?
Both spellings are used for the same plant. Our listing uses Richard Gray and notes Richard Grey as the alternate name.
Why are the lower leaves turning brown?
Most often too much moisture or crowding. Improve drainage, thin nearby plants for airflow and water less.
Can I cook with Richard Gray?
It is not recommended for culinary use. Choose an English lavender if you want buds for baking.
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