Lavender ‘Phenomenal’ (Lavandula x Intermedia) is a perennial, evergreen, sub shrub that is one of the most versatile lavenders, capable of thriving in dry, hot and cold climates and is notable for tolerating some humidity.
Lavender ‘Phenomenal’ is a hybrid of English lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) and Portuguese lavender (Lavandula latifolia) and retains the English lavender cold hardy characteristics and sweet fragrance with the Portuguese lavender longer blooms.
Plant Profile:
| Care/ Requirements | Lavender ‘Phenomenal’ |
| Flowering: | Flowers mid Summer (usually June) and flowers for several weeks until Fall. |
| Size: | Height: 32 inches (80 cm) Width: 30 inches (76 cm) |
| Rate of Growth: | Typically takes 2 years to reach full size. |
| Longevity: | Up to 15 years with the right care. |
| Sun or Shade: | Requires full sun. |
| Soil Conditions: | Requires well draining sandy soils that are low to medium in nutrients. Does not require any fertilizer. |
| Soil pH: | pH 6.5-8 (tolerates mildly acidic soil, prefers alkaline soils). |
| Watering: | Water established lavenders once every 2 weeks. |
| Climate Requirements: | Drought resistant, heat tolerant, tolerates some humidity, cold hardy, adapted to breezy coastal conditions and tolerates freezing temperatures in Winter. |
| Zones: | USDA zones 5-9 |
| Best time for Planting: | Plant in the Spring or Fall although summer planting is still possible. |
| Pruning requirements: | Prune annually either in the early Spring or late Fall. |
| Spacing: | Plant each lavender 3 feet apart or once every 2 feet for hedges. |
Where will Lavender Phenomenal Grow?
- Established lavender ‘Phenomenal’ only requires watering once every two weeks during the Spring and Summer in hot weather if there has been no significant rainfall. In temperate climates with overcast days and occasional rainfall, ‘Phenomenal’ often does not require any additional watering.
- Recently planted lavender requires more care and attention whilst the roots establish. Water after planting and water every 2 or 3 days for the first week. Scale back the watering to once every 3 or 4 days after the first week for the first month and then water once every two weeks until the Fall.
- Do not water ‘Phenomenal’ in Winter as it will attain all the moisture it requires from the environment. Watering during Winter whilst the lavender is in a state of dormancy will promote the conditions that encourage root rot and fungal disease.
Lavender ‘Phenomenal’ is one of the most versatile lavender varieties in terms of where it can grow.
Lavender Phenomenal is a hybrid lavender that retains the cold hardy characteristics of the English lavenders but also has the longer flowering season of the Portuguese lavenders.
Not only can it thrive in both hot, arid regions (such as Southern Europe and California) as well as colder climates (such as Oregon, Washington and Northern Europe) but it is the only lavender variety that has some tolerance to humidity.
For a great visual guide to pruning, take a look at this YouTube video:
Growing in Pots and Containers
There is even a commercial lavender farm that grow lavender x intermedia in the humid climate of South Carolina which has one of the highest average levels of humidity in the United States (with some special adjustments to the growing conditions).
