High Country Gardens
Mitcham Gray English Lavender
Best low-maintenance shrub for gardeners seeking fragrant, drought-tolerant landscape color.
'Mitcham Gray' English Lavender is a distinctive perennial cultivar known for its compact growth and striking appearance. It boasts deep violet-blue flower spikes that beautifully complement its attractive gray-green foliage. This variety grows faster than 'Hidcote Superior' and is ideal for garden beds, providing fragrance and visual appeal. For optimal blooming, harvest summer flowers and prune interior branches periodically. It thrives in full sun and well-drained soil, making it a low-maintenance addition to your landscape.
$18.99
Owner Satisfaction
4.6
/ 5
Category Rank
864
/ 3268
#864 in Landscaping & Garden Plants
Price vs Category Average
-31%
Below average
Life Cycle
Perennial
/ Perennial
Who it's for
- Low-maintenance gardeners in cold climates needing drought-tolerant perennials
- Culinary enthusiasts and crafters seeking potent, fragrant essential oils
- Landscape designers prioritizing year-round textural interest and color
Who should skip it
- Flower lovers desiring a continuous, season-long display of blooms
- Gardeners managing heavy clay or poorly draining soil conditions
- Busy homeowners unable to commit to regular seasonal pruning
Performance breakdown
Growth Rate
Outpaces traditional cultivars for faster landscape establishment.
Pollinator Appeal
Deep violet spikes act as a magnet for local bees.
Drought Tolerance
Thrives in arid conditions with minimal supplemental watering.
Maintenance Ease
Simple pruning keeps this mounding shrub healthy and vibrant.
Pest Resistance
Reliably deters deer and rabbits from grazing your garden.
Fragrance Intensity
Delivers a powerful, classic lavender scent throughout the summer.
Key Specs
Life Cycle
Perennial
Watering Needs
Low
Light Requirement
Full Sun
Bloom Season
Summer
Fragrance Level
Strong Fragrance
Pet Safe
No
Growth Habit
Mounding
Mature Height
24 inches
Features
- Striking violet-blue flowers
- Attractive gray-green foliage
- Faster growing than 'Hidcote Superior'
- Fragrant blooms
- Deer and rabbit resistant
- Bee friendly
- Drought tolerant
- Evergreen habit
What customers say
Customers consistently praise the Mitcham Gray English Lavender for its exceptional quality and reliable performance. Reviewers frequently note its impressive hardiness, reporting successful establishment and vigorous growth even in challenging climates. The plant delivers significant aesthetic value, offering beautiful silvery foliage and abundant, fragrant blooms that enhance garden appeal. Consumers feel this lavender is a worthwhile investment, providing long lasting beauty and ease of care.
Know before you buy
The primary difference is growth rate; 'Mitcham Gray' establishes itself and grows faster than 'Hidcote Superior.' It maintains a similar compact, mounding habit but offers a slightly more vigorous start in the garden.
Yes, it requires excellent drainage to thrive. If you have heavy clay soil, amend it with grit or sand, or plant in a raised bed to prevent the roots from sitting in moisture, which can lead to rot.
Yes, the aromatic oils in the foliage make it unappealing to deer and rabbits. While no plant is 100% immune if local wildlife is desperate, this variety is a reliable choice for gardens prone to browsing.
To keep the plant from becoming woody and sparse, prune it periodically by trimming back the interior branches. Harvesting the flower spikes in summer also encourages the plant to maintain its shape and health.
No, this plant is not considered pet-safe. Lavender contains compounds that can be toxic to dogs and cats if ingested in large quantities, so it is best to place it in an area of the garden your pets do not frequent.
As a perennial, it may produce some blooms in its first season, but it will reach its full flowering potential once it has established a strong root system in your garden. Ensure it receives full sun to maximize those violet-blue spikes.
Still have a question?
Ask Hayley anything about this product before you decide.