Lavandula chaytoriae
Lavandula chaytoriae · Lamiaceae
The gardener's calendar
Lavandula chaytoriae is in full bloom: enjoy it, watch watering in hot weather and let spent flowers feed pollinators before pruning.
ID card
- Scientific name
- Lavandula chaytoriae
- Family
- Lamiaceae
- Form
- Shrub
- Foliage
- Evergreen, silvery-grey
- Flowering
- July to September
- Adult height
- Approximately 60 cm
- Exposure
- Full sun
- Hardiness
- Moderate to good depending on climate
✓ Taxonomy verifiedSource: AI estimate · hardiness: reliability medium.
Expert tips
The key tip
Prune hard (one-third of height) every spring in April to keep it productive: lavender quickly becomes woody and flowers less. Very well-draining soil is essential, avoid waterlogged conditions.
The common mistake
Keeping an old lavender for 5-6 years without pruning; it becomes a bare, bushy plant in the center, unattractive and with poor flowering.
The pro's trick
Take herbaceous cuttings in late June during flowering: they root really well and let you rejuvenate your bed without waiting 3 years.
Care
Exposure
This silvery lavender absolutely requires full sun to thrive and reach its full potential. Plant it in a location receiving at least 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight daily. Generous exposure guarantees abundant flowering and compact, silvery foliage.
Watering
This variety is not water-hungry and dreads excessive moisture and frequent watering. Water moderately at planting time, then space out waterings once established. During the growing season, keep the soil slightly dry: a single deep watering every 10 to 15 days is generally sufficient.
Soil
Well-drained and rather poor soil is ideal for silvery lavender. It thrives in rocky, gravelly or sandy terrain. Absolutely avoid heavy, compact soils: improve drainage with gravel or coarse sand if needed.
Pruning
Prune lightly after flowering (September-October) to maintain a compact, bushy shape. You can also harvest flowers at the beginning of their bloom, which will encourage harmonious branching. Avoid cutting too short into old hardwood.
Fertilizer
This lavender requires no regular fertilizer application, quite the opposite: excessive fertilization can reduce the concentration of essential oils and weaken resistance. Light compost at planting time is more than sufficient.
Diseases and pests
Generally hardy, this lavender mainly fears excess moisture, which causes root rot. Ensure impeccable drainage and good air circulation. Insect infestations or fungal diseases are rare on well-established plants that are correctly positioned.
Did you know?
Lavandula chaytoriae is a rare species endemic to California, discovered in the 1970s in the mountains of northern California. Its particularly silvery foliage inspired its evocative common name, and it ranks among the most drought-tolerant lavenders, perfectly suited to Mediterranean and semi-arid regions.
Where to buy it
Best planted in autumn so the roots settle in before summer, or in early spring once the frost has passed. Pick a plant with healthy foliage and roots that are not exposed. Best time: March, October, November.
Add this plant to my garden →Plants from the same family
- ThymeThymus vulgaris
- LavenderLavandula angustifolia
- SageSalvia officinalis
- RosemarySalvia rosmarinus
- BasilOcimum basilicum
- BugleAjuga reptans
Tips generated and checked by Viridia — adapt them to your local climate.