Lavender 'Edelweiss' (Lavandula angustifolia) - fragrant honey-producing perennial - 11 cm pot - Height 25 cm

Lavender 'Edelweiss' (Lavandula angustifolia 'Edelweiss') produces flower spikes of a pure white to slightly creamy white colour, with no lavender tint. This is what clearly distinguishes it from classic blue or purple lavenders. The colour may vary slightly depending on sunlight conditions and the season: in hot weather and full sun, the flowers open a brilliant white. The grey-green foliage, however, remains the same as that of other narrow-leaved lavenders.

Yes, the 'Edelweiss' Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia 'Edelweiss') is a fully hardy lavender, capable of withstanding temperatures of around -15 to -20 °C in ideal conditions, that is, in well-drained soil and full sun. It spends the winter in the ground in almost all regions of France without requiring any special winter protection. The main enemy of lavender in winter is not the cold itself, but persistent moisture around the crown and roots: heavy, waterlogged soil causes rot long before the frost has time to take effect. Planting in well-drained soil, possibly slightly raised, is therefore the best winter protection you can offer your 'Edelweiss' Lavender.

The 'Edelweiss' Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) blooms in June and generally continues until August, meaning a flowering period of six to eight weeks depending on weather conditions. In southern regions or during hot summers, flowering can begin as early as late May. Pruning the faded flower spikes in late summer can sometimes trigger a lighter second wave of flowering in September. The duration and abundance of the flower spikes are directly linked to the amount of sunlight received: the more the lavender is exposed to full sun, the denser and more prolonged the flowering will be.

To create a border or scented hedge with Lavender 'Edelweiss' (Lavandula angustifolia), space the plants 30 to 40 cm apart. At this distance, the clumps will join together in 2 to 3 years to form a continuous, dense ribbon. Prepare the soil deeply (at least 30 cm) by incorporating coarse sand if the texture is heavy, and ensure that the soil drains perfectly. Planting is possible almost all year round, but the ideal times remain spring (March to May) or late summer (August to September).

Lavender 'Edelweiss' (Lavandula angustifolia) is an exceptionally nectar-rich plant: its flower spikes are a highly prized source of nectar and pollen for honeybees and wild bees, bumblebees, and many butterfly species. Lavender is among the most valuable plants for pollinators in European gardens, and the white-flowered variety is no exception. Planting several specimens of Lavender 'Edelweiss', depending on the batch chosen, multiplies the benefits for local biodiversity.

Yes, 'Edelweiss' lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) is well suited to growing in pots or containers, provided you follow a few basic principles. Choose a container at least 25 to 30 cm in diameter with effective drainage holes. Use a lightweight multipurpose potting mix blended with 30 to 40% coarse sand or pumice to ensure good drainage. Place the pot in full sun, ideally facing south or southwest. In a pot, lavender dries out faster than when planted in the ground: check the moisture of the growing medium regularly in summer, but never leave the soil waterlogged.

‘Edelweiss’ lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) has a fragrance as intense and distinctive as that of blue- or purple-flowered lavenders: it has the same camphor-floral aromatic profile characteristic of the Lavandula angustifolia species, which is rich in linalool and linalyl acetate. The white colour of the flowers does not affect the intensity of the fragrance, which is primarily determined by the species and growing conditions (maximum sunlight = more concentrated essential oils).