Use & Care NotesLavender Plants
Royal Standard Lavender: An Upright French Lavender for Patios
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Royal Standard lavender is a French lavender, Lavandula dentata, with toothed gray-green foliage and a bushy, upright build that can reach about 39 inches tall and wide. Its flowers range from dark purple to a pale purplish blue, and its scent is rated exceptional: fresh and herbal with eucalyptus-like, camphor and lightly floral notes.
In a warm spot it flowers more or less constantly, which makes it a patio plant that earns its pot.
Royal Standard at a glance
| Trait | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Botanical name | Lavandula dentata 'Royal Standard' |
| Flower color | Dark purple to pale purplish blue |
| Foliage | Gray-green, finely toothed |
| Habit | Bushy and upright |
| Mature size | About 39 inches tall and 39 inches wide |
| Bloom | Everblooming; year-round in warm climates, peaking mid-July |
| Hardiness | USDA zones 8a to 10b |
| Fragrance | Exceptional; fresh herbal with eucalyptus and camphor notes |
Royal Standard or Royal Crown?
Both are French lavenders with toothed leaves and nearly continuous flowering. Royal Standard is the taller, more upright of the two, listed around 39 inches tall, with gray-green leaves and an exceptional fragrance rating. Royal Crown is lower and wider with dark green leaves. If you want a vertical accent for a big patio pot or a sunny entry, Royal Standard is the better fit.
Growing it in a container
A plant headed toward three feet tall needs a big, stable pot, 16 inches or wider, with drainage holes. Use a gritty, free-draining mix. Set it in full sun on a deck, terrace or south-facing wall where it can soak up heat.
- Water: soak thoroughly, then let the top couple of inches dry.
- Feed: a light, balanced feed in spring is plenty.
- Deadhead: cut faded spikes back to the leaves; continuous rebloom follows.
- Shape: trim lightly a few times a season to keep it dense instead of leggy.
In zones 8 to 10 it can live in the ground in a sunny, well-drained bed, where it becomes a substantial shrub.
Winter indoors
As a subtropical species, dentata may need protection in cold, wet winters even within its range. Up north, move the pot inside before the first hard frost to the brightest cool room you have. Water sparingly and keep it away from heating vents. In good light it may keep a few flowers through winter. Back outside it goes once frost danger passes; time it with the Frost Date Estimator.
Using the scent
Royal Standard's exceptional fragrance is mostly in the leaves, so brushing past it releases that fresh, piney note. Flowers rate only fair for cutting and drying, so it is a plant to enjoy in place, though a few sprigs add scent to a small arrangement. It is rated great for pollinators and great for essential oil suitability. Culinary use is not recommended.
Frequently asked questions
Does Royal Standard need a cold winter to bloom?
No. French lavender flowers without a cold period, which is why it can bloom nearly year-round in mild climates.
Why are the flowers different colors on one plant?
Its color is listed as dark purple to pale purplish blue. Light, age and temperature all shift the shade.
Can I cook with it?
It is not recommended for culinary use. Choose an English lavender for the kitchen.
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