Grosso

Grosso indeed, but also scuro. Lavandula x intermedia 'Grosso' not only has fat spikes of flowers, but also one of the darkest of the intermedia hybrids. The intermedia cultivars are sterile hybrids of L. angustifolia (English lavender) crossed with L. latifolia (spike lavender). Supposedly, this cross was made in order to produce plants that had plenty of flowers for essential oil production (although less sweet than pure angustifolia), and long stems for crafts. Although there are dozens of intermedia hybrids, two are most commonly grown: 'Provence' and 'Grosso'. Some sources say that 'Provence' is the one grown in France's perfume fields, others say that they are mistaken, and that it is 'Grosso'. In either case, both plants have their attractions in the garden.

Initially I planted them in a mixed bunch, hoping to duplicate the color gradation of a seed-grown lot, but I discovered that their forms and characters differed too markedly to blend well. 'Provence' does have a sweeter fragrance. Of the two, it has a paler purple flower, longer peduncles (stems) which are quite upright, less abundant initial production, but tends to put out stems throughout the season. Last year, mine continued to produce new peduncles until frost. It is the better plant for culinary use, such as lavender lemonade and lavender shortbread (be aware that ingesting lavender tends to be soporific - which is a great way end a party).

'Grosso' is, to my eye, not significantly fatter than 'Provence' although the flowers are denser, and much darker. It is this dark color that makes it more of an impact in the garden, since the calyx is purple as well as the corolla. Where 'Provence' has an overall grey-green appearance with a haze of lavender flowers, 'Grosso' says purple when in bloom (though not as bright as L. angustifolia 'Hidcote'). Peduncles are nearly as long as 'Provence' though not quite, and tend to splay out rather than the upright form of 'Provence'. Flowers have a distinct tone of camphor to them, which is not overwhelming but not as sweet. Rebloom is not as prolific as 'Provence'. Bees love both plants, but seem to like 'Provence' a bit more.

Lavender is another plant that I'd consider turning my entire garden over to. Why not? I love the color, not only of bloom, but of foliage. It is evergreen with substantial form. It grows extraordinarily easily and quickly. It is edible. It is fragrant. There are so many to choose from, even if I stuck with the intermedia hybrids and didn't venture into the pure angustifolia, or the lanata (wooly lavender) hybrids, or the flamboyant Spanish lavenders (Lavandula stoechas). Too bad French lavender (Lavandula dentata) isn't hardy here, but the dentata hybrid 'Goodwin Creek Grey' may be.