French Lavender 'James Compton'

Lavandula stoechas subsp. pedunculata 'James Compton' is a visually striking variety of French Lavender, notable for its long stems and exceptionally large, deep purple floral 'ears' (bracts). The flowers themselves are small and dark, held in dense heads, topped by these waving, violet-purple plumes that dance in the breeze. The foliage is a soft, aromatic silvery-green. This cultivar is slightly more robust than some other French lavenders but is still rated H4, meaning it needs a sheltered, sunny spot in most of the UK and may require protection during particularly harsh winters. It reaches a height of about 60-70cm. French lavenders tend to flower earlier than the English types, often starting in late spring. They thrive in poor, very well-drained soil and are ideally suited to coastal gardens or sunny Mediterranean courtyards. Pruning should be done after the first flush of flowers to maintain a neat shape and encourage a potential second display in late summer.

Sun: Full sun.

Soil: Poor, well-drained sandy or loamy soil.

Hardiness: H4 — down to −10°C.

Flowering: May, Jun, Jul, Aug.