Product Field NotesLavender Plants
Royal Crown Lavender: Toothed Leaves and Nearly Nonstop Flowers
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Royal Crown lavender is a French lavender, Lavandula dentata, the species with finely toothed leaves. Rub one and you will notice the aromatic foliage before anything else. It grows into a bushy, compact evergreen with narrow, dark-green leaves and long-stalked spikes of small purple flowers topped by pale purple bracts.
It has earned the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit, and in warm conditions it barely stops blooming.
Royal Crown at a glance
| Trait | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Botanical name | Lavandula dentata 'Royal Crown' |
| Flower color | Purple flowers with pale purple bracts |
| Foliage | Narrow, dark green, finely toothed, aromatic |
| Habit | Bushy and compact evergreen |
| Mature size | About 24 inches tall and 39 inches wide |
| Bloom | Everblooming; year-round in warm climates, peaking mid-July |
| Hardiness | USDA zones 8a to 11b |
| Fragrance | Moderate; the toothed foliage is the aromatic part |
What makes dentata different
French lavender is a warm-climate species. Unlike English lavender, it does not need a cold winter to set flowers, which is why it can bloom continuously in mild places. The leaves are its signature: edged with small, rounded teeth and carrying a fresh, herbal scent. That combination makes it a favorite for containers, patio pots and sunny conservatories in cold regions. The Botanical Groups page explains how it compares with other lavender families.
Container care for northern gardens
Royal Crown is listed as rather tender, and protection may be needed in cold or wet winters even near the warm end of its range. In Michigan, plan on a pot.
- Pot: 14 inches or wider; its listed spread is more than three feet in the ground, so give roots room.
- Mix: a free-draining potting mix with grit.
- Sun: full sun outdoors from late spring to fall.
- Water: let the top inch or two dry, then soak. Never leave it standing in water.
- Deadhead: cut spent spikes back to the foliage to keep the flowers coming.
- Shape: a light trim in spring and midsummer keeps it bushy.
Bringing it indoors
Move it in before the first hard frost. The best winter spot is bright and cool: a sunroom, an enclosed porch that stays above freezing, or a south window in a cool room. Water sparingly. In good light it may even keep a few flowers going through winter. Return it outside after frost danger has passed.
Uses
Royal Crown is rated great for pollinators and great for essential oil suitability. Its flowers rate only fair for cutting and drying, so it is best enjoyed on the plant. A few sprigs of the toothed foliage add scent and texture to a small arrangement. Culinary use is not recommended.
Frequently asked questions
Why is it called French lavender when it is not from France?
Common names for lavender are famously inconsistent. Here, French lavender refers to Lavandula dentata, the toothed-leaf species.
Can Royal Crown grow indoors?
It can spend winter indoors in a bright, cool spot. It does best outdoors in full sun for the warm months.
Is it deer resistant?
Yes, it is rated deer resistant.
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