‘Lavender Forever Blue’ is a popular choice for its attractive features and ease of care. This cultivar offers a compact growth habit, vibrant coloration, and an extended bloom period, making it versatile in garden designs. Its aromatic qualities and visual appeal contribute to its widespread use.
Understanding ‘Forever Blue’ Lavender
‘Forever Blue’ is a cultivar of English lavender (Lavandula angustifolia). It is recognized for its compact and bushy growth habit, reaching 1 to 2 feet (30-60 cm) in height and spread. This variety showcases deep blue, fragrant flowers on long spikes that maintain their color. It blooms from late spring through late summer, often producing a second flush of flowers. Silvery-green foliage contrasts with the rich blue flowers.
Ideal Growing Environment
‘Forever Blue’ lavender thrives in full sun, requiring at least six to eight hours of direct sunlight daily. It prefers well-drained, sandy, or loamy soil. Soil pH should be neutral to slightly alkaline. It is hardy in USDA hardiness zones 5 through 9. Once established, it is drought tolerant.
Planting ‘Forever Blue’ Lavender
Choose a site with full sun and good air circulation. Prepare the garden bed by turning the soil 6 to 12 inches deep, removing debris, and raking it level. Incorporating organic matter like compost or well-rotted manure improves soil structure.
Dig a hole large enough for the root ball, then gently loosen the root ball. Place the root ball even with the soil level, backfill, and gently firm the soil. Water thoroughly after planting. Space plants 12 to 18 inches apart for airflow and mature growth. Planting on a cloudy day or late afternoon reduces transplant shock.
Ongoing Care and Maintenance
Water consistently during the initial establishment phase, typically weekly, to encourage deep root development. Once established, water deeply but infrequently, allowing the soil to dry between waterings to prevent root issues. Yellowing leaves indicate overwatering; monitor soil moisture. It requires minimal fertilization; a light application of balanced fertilizer in early spring can support growth, but excessive fertilization leads to more foliage than flowers.
Pruning maintains the plant’s shape and promotes abundant flowering. Lightly prune in early spring to remove dead wood and encourage bushy growth. Deadhead spent flowers after the first bloom to encourage a second cycle. Avoid cutting into old, woody stems, as new growth may not emerge from this older wood.
A light layer of mulch (e.g., gravel or shredded leaves) helps retain soil moisture and suppress weeds. Keep mulch away from stems to prevent moisture buildup and rot. In colder climates, an additional 1-2 inches of mulch applied after the ground freezes in fall provides root protection. It resists common pests and diseases. However, proper air circulation and well-drained soil prevent issues like root rot from overly wet conditions.
Uses and Benefits
Beyond its ornamental appeal, ‘Forever Blue’ lavender offers various uses. Its fragrant flowers are harvested for aromatic purposes, including potpourri, sachets, and essential oils. English lavenders are suitable for culinary applications, and this cultivar can add a subtle floral note to teas or desserts. The plant attracts beneficial pollinators like bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. In landscape design, it is versatile, performing well in containers, as border edging, or in mass plantings.