Description
Lavandula angustifolia ‘Munstead’ or LAVENDER Munstead can grow up-to 60cm tall with a spread on 30cm is a time-honoured English lavender cultivar cherished for its compact form, early flowering, and enduring charm. Introduced by the legendary garden designer Gertrude Jekyll and named after her home, Munstead Wood, this variety has become a staple in traditional and contemporary gardens alike. Its neat, bushy habit and profusion of fragrant blooms make it ideal for edging, low hedging, and container displays.
From late spring into midsummer, Lavandula angustifolia ‘Munstead’ produces dense spikes of lavender-blue flowers that rise above aromatic grey-green foliage. The blooms are rich in nectar and highly attractive to bees, butterflies, and other pollinators, making this cultivar a valuable addition to wildlife-friendly planting schemes. The foliage is evergreen in milder climates, offering year-round texture and a soothing herbal scent.
Growing Conditions
Position: Full sun is essential for best flowering and compact growth.
Soil: Thrives in well-drained, moderately fertile soils. Prefers chalky or sandy conditions but tolerates loam if drainage is good.
Watering: Drought-tolerant once established; avoid overwatering.
Hardiness: RHS H5 (down to -15°C); reliably hardy across most of the UK.
Maintenance: Prune lightly after flowering to maintain shape and prevent woodiness. Avoid cutting into old wood.
Garden Uses
‘Munstead’ is a versatile performer, equally at home in cottage gardens, Mediterranean schemes, and formal layouts. Use it to line paths, soften gravel gardens, or add structure to herbaceous borders. Its early bloom time makes it a valuable bridge between spring and summer colour. Pair with Salvia nemorosa, Achillea, or Nepeta for a harmonious, drought-tolerant palette.
Wildlife & Benefits
Excellent source of nectar for pollinators
Deer and rabbit resistant
Suitable for drying, potpourri, and culinary use
A classic lavender with enduring appeal, ‘Munstead’ offers beauty, fragrance, and ecological value in a compact, easy-care form.
