We'll show you how to give your garden 'the look' with Lavandula dentata elegans. Think dark green, slightly serrated leaves that are super fragrant when brushed against or crushed, and sturdy stalks topped with vibrant royal purple flowers also scented with that typical and intense lavender fragrance we all love so much, and French lavender comes to mind. The beauty and mind-blowing presence of Lavandula dentata var. ‘Elegans’ cannot be surpassed by any other herbaceous perennial – and that’s a fact!
THE STATS: • • • • • •
Evergreen Frost and cold hardy Waterwise and sun-loving Many medicinal and culinary uses Fabulous cut flower 80cm x 1.5m
‘ELEGANS’ FACTS:
This lavender will flower non-stop from early spring 'til late autumn, and is perfect to use in mass planting as a hedge around roses, in the veggie and herb garden as it repels insects with its strong scent, or to grow in pots on a sunny patio. It is also effective underplanted alongside a row of standard roses to create the ‘double story’ effect. Apart from filling your vases with freshly cut flowers to perfume your rooms, dried flowers (they dry well when tied up into bunches hanging upside down) can be used to make aromatic potpourri, or can be placed in a linen cupboard to deter moths. Bundles of lavender leaves and flowers can also be rubbed over kitchen counters to discourage flies. Prune lavender bushes at the end of winter (never into old wood) and use the pruned bits to start cuttings for new plants as they root easily.
PLANT LAVENDER DENTATA ELEGANS WITH:
The iconic lavender partner, Rosa floribunda, the 'Iceberg' variety. Could there be any other plant classic enough to team up with French lavender? The ‘Iceberg’ rose is a world bestseller, and definitely the most popular rose in South Africa! Combine this extremely prolific floribunda rose, offering clusters of pure white semi-double blooms, with lots of lavender and your senses will sing! As long as ‘Iceberg’ roses are fertilised regularly and a watch is kept for black spots in rainy weather, you will be overwhelmed by roses with that innocent look. After a short dormant period and a simple prune at the end of winter, they will be at it again with renewed vigour.
ADD SOME CALMING GREEN:
Buxus microphylla ‘Faulkner’ is a tough, evergreen, upright-growing plant with a dense coat of oval, bright green leaves that sometimes have a coppery sheen. It is the perfect choice to plant as a formal low hedge around ‘Iceberg’ roses. Although a slow grower, it is not plagued by pests or disease and can withstand bitter cold and frosty conditions.
TALKING OF WINTER...
Even though the roses will be dormant and the lavender temporarily not in flower, the buxus will remain the same, giving strong structure. All you have to do is to add masses of Petunia ‘Malanseuns Giant’, available in a wide range of shades, to add colour and to help hold the fort.
Malanseuns Pleasure Plants
www.malanseuns.co.za @malanseuns
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