Lavandula angustifolia 'Munstead'
Overview
Uses: Herb gardens, borders, edging, low hedges, rock gardens, containers, cut and dried flower arrangements, culinary use.
Benefits: Munstead is one of the most reliable and widely adapted English lavender cultivars available. Its compact, mounding form stays tidy without excessive pruning, and its violet-blue flower spikes are intensely fragrant — prized for fresh bouquets, dried arrangements, sachets, and cooking. The aromatic gray-green foliage provides year-round structure, and the plant is notably hardier than most English lavenders, overwintering reliably into Zone 5.
USDA Hardiness Zones: 5–8
Sun: Full Sun
Life Cycle: Hardy Perennial
Growth Habit: Mounding, Rounded — dense, compact dome
Bloom Color: Lavender to Purple
Foliage Color: Gray-Green
Mature Height: 12–18 in.
Mature Width: 12–18 in.
Bloom Season: Late Spring to Summer
Growth Rate: Moderate
Summary
Munstead Lavender is the English lavender that gardeners come back to. Named for Munstead Woods in England where the legendary garden designer Gertrude Jekyll grew it over a century ago, this cultivar has remained a favorite for one simple reason: it works. The compact, bushy mound of aromatic gray-green foliage stays dense and well-shaped without fussing, and when the flower spikes appear in early summer, the fragrance carries across the garden.
The blooms are a true lavender-blue — not the washed-out purple of lesser cultivars — and they appear abundantly on short, tightly packed spikes that hold well above the foliage. Bees work the flowers relentlessly, and the bloom period is long enough to enjoy in the garden before harvesting stems for drying, sachets, or the kitchen. Munstead is one of the preferred culinary lavenders, with a sweet, clean flavor that complements baked goods and beverages.
What sets Munstead apart from other English lavenders is its hardiness. It reliably overwinters in Zone 5 — a full zone colder than many Lavandula angustifolia cultivars — when given the sharp drainage it requires. The foliage is evergreen in milder climates and semi-evergreen further north, providing structure even in winter. Deer, rabbits, and most pests leave it alone entirely.
Care
Munstead Lavender Care
Full sun is non-negotiable for Munstead Lavender. It needs at least six to eight hours of direct sunlight daily to produce abundant flowers and maintain its compact form. Even slight shade results in leggy, sparse growth and reduced bloom.
Drainage is the single most important soil factor. Lavender will not survive in heavy, waterlogged soil, especially in winter. Sandy, gravelly, or rocky soils are ideal. If your soil is heavy clay, plant in a raised bed or amend generously with coarse sand and gravel. Soil pH should be neutral to slightly alkaline — if your soil is acidic, a light application of garden lime can help.
Water sparingly. During establishment, water deeply but allow the top inch or two of soil to dry between waterings. Once established, Munstead is highly drought tolerant and typically needs no supplemental irrigation except during severe, prolonged drought. Overwatering is far more dangerous than underwatering.
Avoid high-nitrogen fertilizers, which encourage floppy, weak growth at the expense of flowers and fragrance. In most soils, no fertilization is needed. If growth seems sluggish, a light application of slow release fertilizer with low nitrogen content in early spring is sufficient.
Prune in early spring once new growth is visible — cut back to about a third of the plant's height, shaping into a rounded mound. Avoid cutting into old, woody growth, which may not regenerate. After the first flush of bloom, shear off spent flower spikes to encourage a potential second bloom later in the season.
Container Growing Notes
Munstead Lavender is an excellent container plant. Use a well-draining potting mix — cactus or succulent mix works well — in a container with drainage holes. Watering will be more frequent in containers than in the ground, but allow the soil to dry between waterings. Feed lightly with a low-nitrogen fertilizer monthly during the growing season. Plants hardy in the ground may require winter protection when grown in containers in colder zones. In Zone 5 or colder, move containers to a sheltered location or an unheated garage for winter.
Size
What Size is the Munstead Lavender for Sale Online?
Our Munstead Lavender ships in a greenhouse-grade grow pot and is appropriately sized for its container at the time of shipment. If you have specific sizing or planting questions, please contact us.
How Large Does Munstead Lavender Grow?
Munstead Lavender typically grows twelve to eighteen inches tall and wide, forming a dense, rounded mound. It is one of the more compact English lavender cultivars, making it well-suited for edging, low hedges, and container growing. Expect it to reach mature size by its second or third growing season.
Additional Information
What are some common names for this plant?
This plant is known as Munstead Lavender, Munstead English Lavender, and simply English Lavender. The cultivar name references Munstead Woods in Surrey, England, where it was grown by the influential garden designer Gertrude Jekyll in the early 1900s.
Can Munstead Lavender be used for cooking?
Yes. Munstead is one of the preferred culinary lavenders. Lavandula angustifolia varieties, including Munstead, have a sweeter, less camphor-heavy flavor profile than hybrid lavandins (Lavandula × intermedia). The flowers can be used in baked goods, infused into syrups, or added to teas and cocktails. Harvest when the buds are just beginning to open for the best flavor.
Is Munstead Lavender deer resistant?
Yes. The strong aromatic oils in lavender foliage and flowers are a natural deterrent to deer and rabbits. Munstead is an excellent addition to deer-resistant plantings, especially along borders and walkways where browsing pressure is high.
How is Munstead different from Hidcote Lavender?
Munstead and Hidcote are both compact Lavandula angustifolia cultivars with similar hardiness and growing requirements. Munstead tends to be slightly larger and blooms a bit earlier, with lighter violet-blue flowers. Hidcote is often a touch more compact with deeper purple blooms. Both are excellent garden plants, and many gardeners grow them together for a staggered bloom and subtle color variation.
What is the best way to dry Munstead Lavender?
Harvest stems when about half the flowers on each spike have opened. Bundle six to eight stems together and hang upside down in a warm, dark, well-ventilated area for four to five days. The dried flowers retain their fragrance for months and work well in sachets, potpourri, and arrangements. Browse our drought-tolerant plants collection for more low-water options that pair well with lavender.
