Use & Care NotesLavender Plants
SENS-M1 Lavender: A Slim White Lavandin with Sturdy Stems
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SENS-M1 lavender is a white-flowered lavandin with an unusually slim build. Listed at about 15.7 inches tall and 9.8 inches wide, it is very compact and strongly upright, with white flowers on stiff, thick, densely flowering stems over silver-green to gray-green foliage. Its fragrance is strong and floral but less herbal and pungent than a typical lavandin.
Lavandins usually need a lot of room. SENS-M1 is the exception that fits in a window box.
SENS-M1 at a glance
| Trait | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Botanical name | Lavandula × intermedia 'SENS-M1' |
| Parentage | English lavender × spike lavender |
| Flower color | White |
| Foliage | Silver-green to gray-green |
| Habit | Very compact and strongly upright |
| Mature size | About 15.7 inches tall and 9.8 inches wide |
| Bloom | Starts early June, peaks mid-July, low rebloom |
| Hardiness | USDA zones 5a to 8b |
| Fragrance | Strong floral, less pungent than typical lavandin |
What sets it apart
Three things make SENS-M1 unusual. It is a white lavandin, which is less common than purple. It is narrow and upright, so it fits where a typical lavandin would sprawl. And its documented traits include stiff, thick stems and disease tolerance, both helpful in humid Great Lakes summers. The floral scent, softer than the usual camphor punch of lavandin, makes it pleasant up close on a patio.
Where to plant it
- Formal edging: its upright form makes a clean, narrow line along a path.
- Containers: one plant in a 10-inch pot, or several in a long planter.
- White gardens: with silver foliage plants and other white flowers.
- Cutting rows: plant closely for stiff, straight stems that bundle neatly.
Space plants about 10 to 12 inches apart for a row. Full sun and fast drainage are essential, as with any lavender; raise beds in heavy soil.
Care and pruning
Water deeply through the first season, then cut back; water needs are low once established. Skip fertilizer, which makes stems softer. After the mid-July peak, shear spent stems and lightly shape the plant, staying above bare wood. A compact, upright lavandin responds well to that annual trim and stays dense for years.
For winter, drainage is the main concern. Keep the crown dry and free of wet mulch, and wait until spring growth appears before trimming. The Lavender Care Academy covers the details.
Harvest and uses
SENS-M1 is rated excellent for fresh and dried flowers and excellent for essential oil. Its densely flowering stems make full-looking white spikes in a bundle or arrangement, and white dried lavender is a lovely neutral for wreaths and mixed bouquets. Cut when the first few flowers on each spike open. Its culinary rating is good, but as a lavandin it is more camphor-forward than English lavender, so taste-test a tiny amount first.
Frequently asked questions
Is SENS-M1 related to SENSATIONAL!® lavender?
Both are lavandins, but they are listed as separate cultivars with different looks. SENS-M1 is white and narrow; SENSATIONAL!® is purple and wider.
Does it smell like typical lavandin?
It is described as strongly floral and less herbal and pungent than typical lavandin.
Will it stay narrow?
Its habit is listed as very compact and strongly upright, about 10 inches wide at maturity.
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