With Lavandula angustifolia 'Munstead Strain', you can add classic lavender-blue flowers and a strong, clean fragrance to sunny beds, borders, and herb gardens.
Give your plant full sun and soil that drains quickly. Lavender dislikes wet feet, especially in winter, so choose a raised spot, amend heavy clay for drainage, and avoid overwatering. Once established, it handles dry soil well; water deeply but infrequently and let the soil dry between waterings.
Expect a compact, mounding plant about 12-15 inches tall, with narrow gray-green foliage and flower spikes that make excellent fresh or dried cuts. The blooms are a magnet for butterflies and other pollinators in summer. You can also grow it in containers, provided the pot has drainage holes and a fast-draining mix.
Prune lightly after flowering to keep a tidy shape, and do a stronger shaping prune in spring after new growth appears. Avoid cutting into old, leafless wood. Good air circulation helps in humid climates, and gravel or rock mulch (instead of thick organic mulch) can keep the crown drier.
Plant 'Munstead Strain' where you can brush past it and enjoy the aroma. It is commonly used for sachets and potpourri, and English lavender is often preferred for culinary uses when flowers are harvested at peak color and dried quickly.