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

Yes, Lavandula angustifolia, which includes the Dwarf Blue, Edelweiss and Rosea varieties in the 'Tricolour' mix, is one of the most cold-hardy lavenders available for gardening. It can withstand temperatures down to -15°C, and even occasionally -20°C, provided that the soil is perfectly drained during the winter. Lavender's number one enemy is not frost itself, but standing moisture around the crown, which causes root rot.

The 'Tricolour' collection brings together three varieties of Lavandula angustifolia with complementary colours. Lavandula Dwarf Blue produces long spikes of deep, vibrant violet-blue, characteristic of classic true lavender. Lavandula Edelweiss stands out with its pearlescent creamy-white flowers, whose great elegance contrasts beautifully with the silver-grey foliage. Finally, Lavandula Rosea offers soft, luminous pink spikes, which are rarer in lavender and highly decorative in a mix. The three varieties bloom simultaneously, from approximately June to August, peaking in July.

To create a uniform and generous border, space the 'Tricolour' lavender plants 30 to 40 cm apart from center to center, allowing each plant to 'grow without crowding its neighbors. Plant in a staggered pattern to achieve a full and continuous effect from the second year. Prepare the soil thoroughly: loosen it to a depth of 30 cm, incorporate sand or gravel if the soil is heavy, and form a slight mound to elevate the crown. Water thoroughly at planting to help the roots establish contact with the soil, then allow the soil to dry out between waterings.

Absolutely, Lavandula angustifolia adapts very well to container growing, provided that two essential rules are followed: an ultra-draining substrate and a location in full sun. Use a mixture of lightened multipurpose potting soil with a third coarse sand or clay pebbles, and make sure that the pot has large, unobstructed drainage holes. On a terrace or balcony well exposed to the south, lavender behaves as if it were in the ground and can even flower more abundantly there thanks to the heat reflected by the paving slabs.

Pruning is essential to maintain the dense, bushy growth of 'Tricolour' lavender, 'Tricolour' as the plant tends to become bare at the base over time if left untended. Prune for the first time just after flowering, in July or August, cutting the faded flower stalks to two-thirds their length and always stopping above green foliage: never cut into old grey wood, as it will not regrow. A light shaping prune is recommended in spring, as soon as the new buds swell, to even out the plant's shape and encourage branching.

Lavandula angustifolia is one of the most nectar- and pollen-rich plants in temperate gardens, making it a valuable ally for biodiversity. Its flower spikes produce an abundant and easily accessible nectar, particularly appreciated by honeybees and wild bees, bumblebees, and many species of diurnal butterflies, including the red admiral, swallowtail, and blues. The combination of the three colours in the 'Tricolour' variety—blue-purple, creamy white, and pink—multiplies the visual signals for insects and extends the attractiveness of the flowerbed throughout the entire flowering season.

Tricolour 'Lavender' thrives in light, poor to moderately fertile, well-drained soils, preferably alkaline or sandy, conditions that mimic its natural habitat on Mediterranean scrublands and plateaus. Soil rich in organic matter or too clayey promotes abundant foliage at the expense of flowering and predisposes the plant to collar rot. If your garden has 'heavy soil, improve it before planting by incorporating coarse sand at a rate of 'one-third of the volume and slightly raising the planting area into a mound.