Product Field NotesLavender Plants
Riverina James Lavender: A Tall Mauve Lavandin for Big Containers
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Riverina James lavender is a tall, bushy lavender with mauve flowers over silver-green to gray-green foliage. It is listed at about 39 inches tall and 31.5 inches wide, with a mounding, upright habit and a strong fragrance: sweet lavender layered with fresh camphor.
One note before you plan: it is hardy only in zones 8a to 10b, so in Michigan it is a container plant rather than a field lavender.
Riverina James at a glance
| Trait | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Botanical name | Listed as Lavandula × intermedia 'Riverina James'; see note below |
| Flower color | Mauve |
| Foliage | Silver-green to gray-green |
| Habit | Bushy, mounding and upright |
| Mature size | About 39 inches tall and 31.5 inches wide |
| Bloom | Main flush with low rebloom; timing varies, see below |
| Hardiness | USDA zones 8a to 10b |
| Fragrance | Strong floral-herbal with camphor notes |
A note on its name and timing
Riverina James is listed under Lavandula × intermedia with English lavender × spike lavender parentage, while its description also names Lavandula × heterophylla. Botanists and growers do not always agree on how some of these hybrids are classified. What matters for your garden is the same either way: it is a big, tender hybrid that wants heat, sun and fast drainage.
Bloom timing on the listing also varies. Records show flowering beginning anywhere from mid-April in mild climates to early June for container plants in Michigan, with flowering continuing from summer into fall. Expect the Michigan end of that range if you grow it in a pot here. Check the listing for the latest details.
Growing it in a big pot
A plant headed toward three feet tall needs a container with some weight, at least 16 to 18 inches across, with large drainage holes. Use a gritty, fast-draining mix. Put it in your sunniest spot and turn it now and then so it grows evenly.
- Water: deeply, then wait until the top couple of inches are dry.
- Feed: lightly in spring only.
- Prune: after flowering, shape the plant and remove spent stems, keeping green leaves on each branch.
Overwintering
Before the first hard frost, roll the pot into a bright, cool, frost-free room, a sunroom or a garage with a good window. Water sparingly so the roots never sit wet. Lavender kept warm and dark indoors gets leggy, so prioritize light over warmth. Move it back outside after frost danger passes.
Harvest and uses
Riverina James is rated excellent for cut and dried flowers and excellent for essential oil, so even a single container plant gives you useful stems. Cut when the first flowers on a spike open, then hang to dry. Its culinary rating is good, but lavandins are stronger and more camphor-forward than English lavender, so taste-test a tiny amount before using it in food.
Frequently asked questions
Can Riverina James stay outside in Michigan?
Not reliably. It is rated for zones 8a to 10b, so overwinter it indoors in a container.
How big a pot does it need?
Start large, around 16 to 18 inches across, and step up as it grows. A heavier pot also keeps a tall plant from tipping in wind.
Is it good for pollinators?
Yes, it is rated excellent for pollinators.
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