How to Grow Benary's Giant Lavender
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Benary's Giant Lavender
Lavandula angustifolia 'Benary's Giant'
flowerBenary's Giant Lavender is a spectacular cultivar of English lavender known for its exceptionally large flower spikes that can reach 12-18 inches tall, making it ideal for cutting gardens and ornamental displays. This fragrant perennial produces violet-purple blooms on sturdy stems with narrow, silvery-green foliage. It's prized by florists and gardeners for its dramatic size while maintaining the classic lavender fragrance and hardiness.
When should you plant Benary's Giant Lavender in your zone?
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Example Benary's Giant Lavender timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant Benary's Giant Lavender
Around Apr 17Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
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Tend & protect
Late spring–summerWatering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
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First Benary's Giant Lavender blooms
Around Aug 15≈ 120 days after planting
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Benary's Giant Lavender dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives in zones 5-9, with cold hardiness to zone 4b and heat tolerance to zone 9b
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Get my Benary's Giant Lavender timeline →Growth Stages
Seedling
2-3 weeksTiny seedlings emerge with narrow cotyledons and their first true leaves are thin and linear.
Keep soil moist but not wet. Provide bright light to prevent leggy growth. Thin seedlings to reduce crowding.
Vegetative/Establishment
4-8 weeksYoung plants develop bushy foliage with silvery-green narrow leaves. Growth is compact and mounding.
Reduce watering as plant develops. Pinch tips early to encourage bushiness if desired. Ensure excellent drainage. Begin hardening off transplants before moving outdoors.
Budding
3-4 weeksDistinctive long, sturdy flower stems elongate with visible buds forming at the tips. Benary's Giant produces notably tall spikes compared to standard lavender.
Maintain consistent (but not wet) soil moisture during flowering initiation. Provide full sun exposure. Reduce nitrogen fertilizer to avoid excessive foliage at expense of flowers.
Flowering
6-8 weeks (with deadheading can extend to 10-12 weeks)Magnificent violet-purple flower spikes bloom densely from bottom to top, reaching 12-18 inches tall. Flowers emit strong, classic lavender fragrance.
Deadhead spent flowers regularly to extend bloom and encourage secondary flushes. Water only if leaves show slight wilting. Harvest flowers for drying or fresh arrangements as desired.
Post-Bloom/Dormancy
4-6 months (depending on zone and climate)After flowering ends, foliage remains silvery-green and ornamental. In perennial mode, the plant consolidates energy for winter survival and next year's growth.
Allow fall flowers to remain (if not harvesting) to provide winter interest and seed for wildlife. Reduce watering significantly. In fall, prune lightly (no more than 1/3) to maintain shape, but avoid cutting into old wood. In spring, prune to remove dead or damaged stems.
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
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Handpick beetles; spray with neem oil or pyrethrin if infestation is severe; encourage beneficial insects
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Increase humidity by misting; spray with water jet to dislodge; use miticide if severe; ensure good air circulation
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Yellow sticky traps; insecticidal soap; neem oil spray
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Prevention is key: ensure excellent drainage, avoid overwatering, provide air circulation. Remove affected plants. Drench soil with fungicide if caught early.
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Improve air circulation; reduce overhead watering; spray with sulfur or baking soda solution; remove affected foliage
Uses
Culinary & Beverage Flavoring
CulinaryLavender flowers can be used to flavor teas, lemonades, baked goods, and desserts. The flowers impart a delicate floral sweetness with subtle herbal notes. [source]
Fragrance & Aromatherapy
HouseholdDried lavender flowers are used in sachets, potpourri, sleep pillows, and as a natural air freshener. Lavender oil and dried flowers are traditionally used in aromatherapy for relaxation and stress relief. [source]
Herbal Remedies
MedicinalLavender has been used traditionally for centuries to soothe anxiety, promote sleep, and reduce inflammation. It can be consumed as tea, tincture, or applied topically as an infused oil. [source]
Cut Flowers & Floral Arrangements
CraftBenary's Giant is exceptionally popular with florists and gardeners for its impressive 12-18 inch stems, dramatic flower spikes, and long vase life (2-3 weeks fresh, indefinitely dried). Perfect for wedding bouquets, dried arrangements, and display gardens. [source]
Pollinator Support
WildlifeLavender flowers attract bees, butterflies, and other beneficial pollinators, making it an excellent plant for supporting pollinator populations in gardens. [source]
This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.
Harvest Tips
Harvest flower spikes in early morning when blooms are just fully open but before they fully dry on the plant. Cut stems at the base or just above the leaf nodes. For drying, hang stems upside down in a dark, well-ventilated area (2-3 weeks). For continuous blooms, deadhead regularly by removing spent flower spikes. Benary's Giant can produce secondary flushes if deadheaded, extending the blooming season.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Benary's Giant Lavender is specifically bred to produce flower spikes significantly larger than standard English lavender—up to twice the height—making it a favorite for commercial cut flower growers and premium floral arrangements.
- 🌱 Lavender's name derives from the Latin 'lavare,' meaning 'to wash,' as it was used extensively by Romans in bathing water and is still used in natural cleaning products today.
- 🌱 The essential oil in lavender flowers contains linalool and linalyl acetate, compounds with documented calming and antimicrobial properties that make lavender both a culinary and medicinal herb.
Gardening Terms
New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:
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