Phenomenal Lavender Plants

• Variety: Phenomenal
• Species: Lavandula × intermedia (Dutch lavender / Lavandin)
• Colour: Violet-purple — darker and richer than most Lavandins
• Foliage: Evergreen, aromatic, notably silver — one of its best features through winter
• Height: 60–75cm (24–30in)
• Spread: 60–90cm
• Flowering: Late spring to early summer, often again later if deadheaded
• Scent: Strong, classic lavender with less camphor than Grosso. Both ornamental and edible
• Hardiness: Fully hardy throughout the UK — notably better winter foliage than most lavenders
• RHS AGM: Yes
• Introduced: 2013, by Lloyd Traven at Peace Tree Farm, Pennsylvania. Sport from Grosso
• Sold as: Pot-grown plants (P9, 2L and 5L available depending on season)
• Plant outdoors: From late April onwards when soil is warming
• Delivered: From April/May, weather dependent

Phenomenal Lavender — The Modern One

If Hidcote is the lavender your grandmother grew, Phenomenal is the Gen Z equivalent. It is a Lavandin — the same type as Grosso — but more compact, with darker flowers and, crucially, winter foliage that looks, well, phenomenal. That last point matters more than it sounds. Lavender is evergreen, but most varieties look a bit tired after a hard winter. Phenomenal's silver foliage stays dense and bright right through to spring, which earns its place in any border that you want to look decent all year round.

It flowers earlier than the older Lavandins, sometimes starting in late May in sheltered southern gardens, and if you deadhead the first flush it will often produce a second round later in summer. The colour is a deeper violet-purple than Grosso's softer blue, held on long stems that are excellent for cutting. It is fully hardy throughout the UK and has good resistance to the root and foliage diseases that can trouble lavenders in wetter areas on heavier soils. The fastest-growing variety in our range in terms of customer demand — we sold more Phenomenal in 2025 than in any previous year. Honestly, we are not quite sure why. Phenomenal is a very attractive lavender, but if it has a weakness, it is that it has inherited Grosso's scent, which does have a tinge of camphor.

A Sport from Grosso

Phenomenal appeared in 2007 as a chance mutation — a sport — in a crop of Grosso lavender at Peace Tree Farm in Pennsylvania. The American grower Lloyd Traven noticed that among 30,000 field cuttings that had all but died in a brutal summer, a handful were not only alive but thriving. He took cuttings, grew them on, and watched them for several years. They were more compact than Grosso, kept their foliage better through winter, and shrugged off heat, humidity and cold that killed other varieties around them. He registered the plant for Plant Breeder's Rights (a bit like copyright) in 2012 and introduced it commercially in 2013. It was named one of the top 25 new perennials of that year by Better Homes & Gardens, and it has been gaining ground ever since — quite literally, on lavender farms and in gardens across Europe and North America.

Planting Companions

Phenomenal sits well between the compact English lavenders and the big Lavandins in size, which makes it versatile. Plant it behind a row of Munstead for a two-height display, or alongside Rosea for a pink-and-purple combination. Its silver winter foliage pairs well with evergreen herbs — rosemary is an obvious partner, and both will look after themselves through summer. For a contemporary scheme, try it with ornamental grasses and Edelweiss, the white-flowered Lavandin.

Why Buy from Ashridge?

Your plants are grown right here in the UK and delivered by next-day courier when conditions suit planting. They are guaranteed, and there are real people in Somerset you can call if you want advice. Browse our Dutch lavender range or see all our lavender plants. Oh, and we are a Which? Best Plant Supplier.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Phenomenal lavender better than Hidcote?

They are different plants doing different jobs. Hidcote is an English lavender — compact, deep purple, and the best choice for a low formal hedge or kitchen use with a glorious scent. Phenomenal is a Lavandin — a bit bigger, a bit later, with better winter foliage and longer stems for cutting. If you want a plant that looks good twelve months of the year rather than just in summer, Phenomenal has the edge. If you want the deepest purple and the best perfume allied with the most traditional look, Hidcote wins. We sell both for a reason.

Does Phenomenal lavender come back every year?

Yes. It is a fully hardy evergreen. The silver foliage looks particularly good through the colder months.

Can I grow Phenomenal lavender in a pot?

Yes, though it does get bigger than English lavenders. Use a container at least 35cm across and make sure there is sharp drainage — a gritty, loam-based compost works well. It will need watering in summer but nowhere near as often as bedding plants. Full container advice in our lavender growing guide.

How fast does Phenomenal lavender grow?

A 2L plant will make a good-sized mound — roughly 60cm across — by the end of its first full summer. It reaches full spread of about 75–90cm in its second. Quicker than English lavenders, slower than Grosso.

Can I use Phenomenal for cooking?

The camphor note in any Lavandin can overpower delicate recipes. For drying, bags, and oil, Phenomenal is a fine choice.