Lavandula angustifolia Munstead | English Lavender

Lavandula angustifolia ‘Munstead’ is a classic, compact English lavender with beautifully fragrant foliage and masses of deep lavender-blue flowers. This reliable perennial forms neat, evergreen clumps and is an excellent choice for sunny borders, pathways, pots and pollinator-friendly gardens.

‘Munstead’ is valued for its compact habit, intense fragrance and excellent garden performance. The aromatic flowers are highly attractive to bees and other pollinators and can also be harvested for fresh or dried arrangements, lavender sachets and decorative crafts.

Once established, lavender prefers sunny, relatively dry conditions and well-drained soil, making it an excellent choice for low-maintenance and Mediterranean-style plantings.

Why Grow Lavender ‘Munstead’?

• Beautiful deep lavender-blue flowers
• Classic English lavender
• Compact, clump-forming perennial
• Highly aromatic flowers and foliage
• Excellent for sunny borders and pathways
• Suitable for pots and containers
• Wonderful for fresh and dried flowers
• Highly attractive to bees and other pollinators
• Drought tolerant once established
• Suitable for extensive green roof planting
• Hardy perennial for long-term garden planting

Plant Information

• Botanical name: Lavandula angustifolia
• Variety: ‘Munstead’
• Common name: English Lavender
• Family: Lamiaceae
• Plant type: Evergreen, clump-forming perennial
• Flower colour: Deep lavender blue
• Height: Approx. 40 cm
• Exposure: Full sun
• Crop time: Approx. 23–25 weeks
• Hardiness zone: USDA 5a–9a
• Heat zone: 7–12
• Seed form: Raw Seed / ApeX
• Uses: Borders, pots, containers, aromatic gardens, pollinator gardens, dried flowers and green roofs

Sowing & Germination

For plants intended for spring and summer garden planting, sow indoors from January to March. Professional growers may also sow from June to August for flowering pot plants the following year.

• Sow 1–2 seeds per plug or cell
• Place seeds on the surface of a fine, well-drained seed-starting mix
• Light is required for germination
• Press seeds gently onto the surface rather than covering deeply
• Germination: Approx. 14–20 days
• Germination temperature: 18–22°C
• Keep the growing medium evenly moist but never waterlogged

ApeX-treated seed provides improved and more uniform germination compared with untreated raw seed.

Transplanting & Growing On

Seedlings can generally be transplanted approximately 9 weeks after sowing, once they have developed a healthy root system.

Use a well-drained perennial growing medium. Lavender dislikes heavy, permanently wet soil, especially during winter.

A substrate pH of approximately 5.8–7.0 is suitable, with neutral to slightly alkaline conditions particularly favourable for established plants.

Choose a position in full sun with good air circulation.

From Seed to Flower

The spring crop time is approximately 23–25 weeks, but lavender grown from seed should not be treated like a fast-growing annual flower.

‘Munstead’ requires a period of cold exposure (vernalization) for reliable flower initiation. For professional production, approximately 15 weeks at 3–5°C is recommended.

After this cold period, plants can be grown at approximately 15–18°C under long days and high light levels to encourage flowering.

Plants grown at cooler temperatures develop more slowly but usually remain compact and strong.

Growing in the Garden

Plant ‘Munstead’ in a sunny, warm and well-drained location. Good drainage is particularly important during autumn and winter.

Once established, lavender is relatively drought tolerant. Water young plants regularly while they establish, but mature plants should be allowed to dry moderately between waterings.

Avoid constantly wet soil and excessive watering.

‘Munstead’ is particularly beautiful when planted:

• Along pathways and garden edges
• In sunny perennial borders
• In gravel and Mediterranean-style gardens
• In herb and aromatic gardens
• In pots and containers
• In pollinator-friendly gardens
• In larger groups for a lavender-field effect

Feeding

Lavender has relatively moderate nutrient requirements and should not be overfed.

Excessive nitrogen encourages soft, elongated growth and can cause plants to lose their naturally compact shape.

During active growth, use a balanced fertiliser sparingly. Avoid heavy feeding late in the season so that plants have time to mature before winter.

Pruning

Regular pruning helps maintain a compact, dense and attractive shape.

After flowering, remove spent flower stems and lightly trim the plants. Avoid cutting deeply into old, leafless woody growth, as lavender may not regenerate well from very old wood.

Harvesting & Drying

Harvest lavender stems when the flowers have developed good colour and the first flowers are beginning to open.

For drying, cut stems during dry weather, gather them into small bunches and hang them upside down in a dry, shaded and well-ventilated place.

The dried flowers retain their characteristic fragrance and are beautiful for:

• Dried bouquets
• Wreaths
• Lavender sachets
• Natural decorations
• Floral crafts

Pollinator Friendly

The fragrant flowers are rich in nectar and highly attractive to bees and other beneficial pollinating insects. Planting lavender near vegetable gardens and flowering borders can help create a more pollinator-friendly garden.

Lavandula angustifolia ‘Munstead’ is a timeless English lavender combining deep lavender-blue flowers, beautiful fragrance and a naturally compact habit. Hardy, long-lived and highly attractive to pollinators, it is an excellent perennial for sunny borders, pots and aromatic gardens.