Lavender Silver Sands 'Richard Gray'

'Richard Gray' is a stunning hybrid lavender that is highly valued for its exceptionally silvery, felt-like foliage, which is much whiter than that of the common English lavender. It forms a neat, compact mound that looks beautiful year-round. In mid-summer, it produces short, dense spikes of dark violet-blue flowers on relatively short stems. This combination of white foliage and dark flowers is highly effective in a white garden or a silver-themed Mediterranean border. In the UK, it is slightly less hardy than Lavandula angustifolia (usually H4) and is particularly sensitive to winter wet, so planting in very gritty soil or on a mound is recommended. It is a slow-growing variety, making it ideal for small gardens or as an edging plant for pathways. To keep it tidy and silver, prune it back after flowering, taking care not to cut into the old, brown wood. The fragrance is soft and pleasant.

Sun: Full sun.

Soil: Very well-drained, alkaline to neutral soil.

Hardiness: H4 — down to −10°C.

Flowering: Jul, Aug.