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How to Grow Willowvale Lavender

Willowvale Lavender

Lavandula angustifolia 'Willowvale'

herb

Willowvale is a compact cultivar of English lavender known for its deep purple flowers and silvery-green foliage. It's a hardy, drought-tolerant perennial that produces abundant blooms ideal for cutting and dried arrangements. This variety is particularly valued for its ornamental appeal and strong fragrance.

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Example Willowvale Lavender timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)

  1. Plant Willowvale Lavender

    Around Apr 17

    Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.

  2. Tend & protect

    Late spring–summer

    Watering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.

  3. Harvest Willowvale Lavender

    Around Jul 16

    ≈ 90 days after planting

Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Willowvale Lavender dates for your own zip code.

Growing Conditions

☀️
Sun: Full sun, 6-8 hours daily minimum (8+ hours preferred)
💧
Water: Low to moderate water needs. Water regularly during establishment (first season), then drought-tolerant. Avoid overwatering; allow soil to dry between waterings. Reduce watering in winter.
📏
Spacing: 18 inches
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Days to maturity: 90-120 days to first bloom from transplant
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Planting depth: Plant at soil level; do not bury crown. If sowing seeds, scatter on soil surface and press lightly.

Soil

Type: Well-draining, sandy or gravelly loam
pH: 6.0-7.5
Amendments:
coarse sand perlite gravel compost in moderation

Growing Zones

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Thrives in zones 5-9, with best performance in zones 6-8

5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 8b 9a

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Growth Stages

1

Seedling

2-3 weeks

Tiny green shoots emerge with narrow cotyledons. Plants develop first true leaves with the characteristic narrow lavender leaf shape.

Keep soil lightly moist but not wet. Provide bright light to prevent leggy growth. Thin seedlings to proper spacing once 2-3 true leaves appear.

2

Vegetative Growth

4-8 weeks (longer in first year)

Plant develops a bushy mound of silvery-green, narrow foliage. Stems elongate and branch. No flowers yet.

Water moderately during dry spells. Avoid excessive fertilizer (can reduce hardiness and fragrance). Pinch stem tips to encourage bushier growth if desired.

3

Pre-flowering

2-3 weeks

Flower buds begin forming at stem tips. Buds appear as small purple nodules along the stems.

Maintain consistent watering but avoid wetting foliage. Reduce nitrogen fertilizer. Plant is building strength for blooming.

4

Flowering

6-10 weeks (June-August in northern zones)

Dense spikes of deep purple flowers open from bottom to top along elongated inflorescences. Flowers are highly fragrant and attract pollinators.

Deadhead spent flowers to encourage more blooms and extend flowering season. Do not overwater. Avoid fertilizing during bloom.

5

Senescence & Dormancy

4-6 months (October-March)

Flower production slows. In fall, foliage may take on grayish tones. Plant enters dormancy in winter, retaining evergreen foliage.

Reduce watering significantly. Do NOT prune heavily in fall (wait until spring). Ensure excellent drainage to prevent root rot during wet winters. Mulch lightly in cold zones (zone 5).

Companion Planting

Plan your garden →

Plant with:

rosemary thyme catmint Russian sage coreopsis santolina germander salvia

Avoid planting near:

plants requiring frequent watering mint basil parsley

Common Pests

  • Increase humidity; spray with water to dislodge. Use insecticidal soap or neem oil if severe. Ensure good air circulation.

  • Hand-pick beetles in spring. Use row covers on young plants. Prune out infested flower buds. Rarely needs chemical treatment.

  • Spray with insecticidal soap or neem oil. Yellow sticky traps. Ensure adequate air circulation.

  • Prevent through excellent drainage and avoiding overwatering. Remove affected plants. Improve soil drainage with sand/gravel.

Uses

🍳

Culinary flavoring & tea

Culinary

Lavender flowers and buds can be used to infuse teas, flavor baked goods, honey, and vinegars. The flavor is floral and slightly sweet, best used sparingly. Willowvale's intense flavor makes it excellent for culinary applications. [source]

💊

Relaxation & sleep support

Medicinal

Lavender has been used traditionally to promote relaxation, reduce anxiety, and support better sleep. Linalool, the primary aromatic compound, is known for calming properties. Can be used as tea, essential oil, or dried flowers in pillows. [source]

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Fragrance & natural cleaning

Household

Dried lavender flowers provide natural fragrance for closets, drawers, and rooms. Lavender oil and dried flowers can be added to homemade cleaning products. Long-lasting fragrance even after months of drying. [source]

🎨

Cut flowers & dried arrangements

Craft

Willowvale's abundant, deep-purple flower spikes are excellent for fresh and dried flower arrangements, wreaths, and bouquets. Flowers dry perfectly while retaining color and fragrance, making them ideal for long-lasting crafts. [source]

🦋

Pollinator support

Wildlife

Lavender flowers attract bees, butterflies, and other pollinators. Willowvale produces abundant nectar and pollen, making it an excellent addition to pollinator gardens and meadows. [source]

This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.

Harvest Tips

Cut flower spikes in early morning after dew dries but before full heat of day, when buds are just opening or lower flowers are fully open. Cut stems 6-8 inches from base using clean shears. Harvest regularly to encourage more blooms. For drying, hang bundles upside-down in a warm, dark, well-ventilated location for 2-3 weeks. Dried flowers retain fragrance for 1-2 years.

Fun Facts

  • 🌱 The name 'lavender' comes from the Latin 'lavare,' meaning 'to wash,' because Romans used lavender in bath water for its soothing properties.
  • 🌱 Willowvale is a British-bred cultivar specifically selected for compact growth (12-18 inches tall) and exceptional flower production, making it more ornamental than some seed-grown lavender strains.
  • 🌱 Lavender has been used for over 2,500 years in perfumery, medicine, and household applications, making it one of the oldest cultivated herbs in Western civilization.

Gardening Terms

New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:

Cultivar Deadhead Full Sun Mulch Perennial True Leaves
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