English lavender [Little Lottie] Lavandula angustifolia Little Lottie = 'Clarmo'
![English lavender [Little Lottie]](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fplants-admin.emdemapps.com%2Fimages%2Fplants%2F%2Fimages%2F604b596600c9b.png&w=3840&q=75)
ABOUT
[Little Lottie] is a dwarf evergreen shrub to 30cm, with narrow, dark grey-green foliage and short spikes of pale pink flowers in summer
About this plant
NamesFamily
Lamiaceae.
Synonyms
English Lavender, Common Lavender, True Lavender, Narrow-Leaved Lavender.
Common names
Lavandula angustifolia Little Lottie = 'Clarmo'
CharacteristicsLife cycle
Perennials
Foliage type
Evergreen
Color of leaves
Gray-green
Flower color
Pink
Height
1 feet 6 inches (45.72 cm)
Spread
1 feet 6 inches (45.72 cm)
Plant type
Shrub
Hardiness zones
5
Native area
Mediterranean
Benefits
General Benefits- Aesthetic appeal: Lavender 'Little Lottie' has soft pink flowers that add a delicate visual appeal to gardens and landscapes.
- Low maintenance: It is known for being hardy and requiring minimal care once established, making it suitable for gardeners of all skill levels.
- Drought tolerance: This variety is drought-resistant, which makes it an ideal plant for xeriscaping or gardens in dry climates.
- Fragrance: 'Little Lottie' emits a pleasant, light fragrance that can create a calming and relaxing environment in outdoor spaces.
- Attracts pollinators: The flowers attract bees, butterflies, and other beneficial pollinators, supporting local ecosystems.
- Compact size: The 'Little Lottie' cultivar is more compact than other lavenders, making it suitable for small gardens or as a border plant.
- Deer resistance: It is typically resistant to deer, which can be particularly beneficial in areas where deer depredation is a problem.
- Long blooming period: Lavender 'Little Lottie' offers a long flowering season, which can provide extended interest and color in the garden.
- Culinary use: The flowers and leaves of this plant can be used in culinary applications, though this use is more common with other lavender varieties.
- Easy to propagate: Lavender can be propagated through cuttings, allowing gardeners to create more plants economically.
Medical Properties- Anxiety Relief: Lavender, including Lavandula angustifolia, has been traditionally used in aromatherapy for its calming and relaxing properties, which may help alleviate anxiety.
- Sleep Improvement: The scent of lavender is often associated with improved sleep quality and is sometimes used to help manage insomnia.
- Antiseptic Qualities: The oil extracted from lavender has been used for its antiseptic properties, including minor wound care.
- Anti-inflammatory Effects: Lavandula angustifolia has been reported to have anti-inflammatory properties that could benefit conditions like eczema or other inflammatory skin conditions.
- Pain Relief: Some studies suggest that lavender oil may have analgesic effects that could help reduce pain perception in conditions like headaches or muscle pain.
Air-purifying QualitiesThis plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses- Lavender sachets can be tucked into drawers or closets to impart a fresh fragrance to linens and clothing, while deterring moths and other insects.
- A few sprigs of Lavender can be added to your bath water for a relaxing and fragrant bathing experience.
- When dried, Lavender can be used as a natural firestarter, providing a pleasant aroma when added to a fireplace or campfire.
- Lavender's aromatic oil can be used to polish and protect wooden furniture, leaving a light, fresh scent.
- Placing dried bouquets around the home can create a calm and inviting atmosphere while adding a touch of floral decor.
- Aromatherapy with Lavender scents can be used to freshen up the inside of a car, substituting commercial air fresheners.
- As a culinary herb, Lavender flowers can be used to flavor baked goods such as cookies or cakes with a unique floral touch.
- Dried Lavender can be used in creating natural dyes for textile or craft projects, producing a range of purple and pink hues.
- Lavender can be infused into syrups, sugars, or salts, contributing its flavor to various gourmet dishes and cocktails.
- Used in crafting, Lavender stems and buds can be incorporated into handmade paper or potpourri mixes.
Interesting Facts
Feng ShuiThe common name of Lavandula angustifolia Little Lottie = 'Clarmo' is lavender. In Feng Shui, lavender can be used to promote relaxation, support peaceful sleep, and reduce stress. It should be placed in areas like the bedroom for better sleep or in the living room to create a calm environment, ensuring it receives ample sunlight. However, avoid placing lavender in very active or high-energy areas as it may clash with the vibrant energy there.
Zodiac Sign CompitabilityLavender is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism- Calmness: Lavender is often associated with calmness due to its soothing fragrance, which is thought to reduce stress and promote relaxation.
- Purity: The cleanliness of its scent and the traditional use in bathing rituals contribute to lavender’s symbolism of purity.
- Silence: The name "lavender" comes from the Latin word "lavare," meaning "to wash," hinting at a quietude and peacefulness akin to cleanliness and silence.
- Devotion: Lavender is sometimes used to symbolize devotion, reflecting its historical use in love spells and sachets.
- Caution: In Victorian times, giving someone lavender was a way to communicate caution or distrust subtly.
- Healing: Due to its antiseptic properties, lavender is also symbolic of healing, both physical and spiritual.
WaterThe English Lavender 'Little Lottie' prefers a moderate watering approach, being watered deeply but infrequently. During active growth in spring and summer, water once or twice a week, applying roughly 1 gallon per plant each time, ensuring the soil has time to dry out between watering sessions. Reduce watering in the fall and minimally during winter when the plant is dormant, as English Lavender is drought-tolerant and does not like wet feet.
LightEnglish Lavender 'Little Lottie' thrives in full sun, requiring at least 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight daily. Choose a spot in the garden that receives abundant sunlight without shade, as this will ensure healthy growth and abundant flowering.
TemperatureEnglish Lavender 'Little Lottie' is hardy and can withstand a temperature range between 10°F to 100°F, but it grows best in temperatures between 60°F and 70°F. It can survive light frosts but should be protected from extreme cold and hot temperatures that exceed its tolerance levels.
PruningPruning English Lavender 'Little Lottie' promotes vigorous growth and prevents the plant from becoming woody. Prune lightly in early spring as new growth appears and again after flowering, cutting back by about one-third to maintain shape and encourage new growth. The best time for pruning is in the early spring and after the summer bloom period.
CleaningNot needed
SoilThe best soil mix for Lavender 'Little Lottie' is well-draining with a pH between 6.0 and 8.0. A mixture of two parts coarse sand, one part compost, and one part perlite or vermiculite is ideal. This ensures good drainage and mimics the plant's native Mediterranean conditions.
RepottingLavender 'Little Lottie' typically needs to be repotted once every 1-3 years to refresh the soil and accommodate root growth. It is best to repot in the spring before new growth begins, ensuring a pot that is only slightly larger than the previous one to avoid excess moisture retention in the soil.
Humidity & MistingLavender 'Little Lottie' prefers a dry environment with low to moderate humidity. This plant thrives in conditions that are similar to its natural habitat in the Mediterranean, where humidity levels are on the lower end of the spectrum. It is tolerant of dry air and does not require high humidity to prosper.
Suitable locationsIndoor
Grow Lavender 'Little Lottie' inside with bright light, well-draining soil, and infrequent watering.
Outdoor
Plant Lavender 'Little Lottie' in full sun, well-drained soil, and water sparingly.
Hardiness zone
5-9 USDA
Life cycleLavandula angustifolia Little Lottie, commonly known as English lavender, begins its life as a seed, which when sown in well-draining soil and provided with ample sunlight, will germinate typically within two weeks. The seedling stage follows, characterized by the emergence of the lavender's distinctive narrow leaves, and it will gradually develop a strong root system. As the plant enters the vegetative stage, it grows larger and bushier, forming a woody base and branching stems with silver-green foliage. The flowering stage is notable for the production of its fragrant, pale pink to white flowers, which typically bloom in late spring to early summer, attracting pollinators like bees and butterflies. After pollination, the plant sets seed, which can be collected for propagation or allowed to self-sow. Finally, lavender is a perennial, so after the flowering season, it enters a period of dormancy in winter, during which it conserves energy to regrow in the following spring, thus continuing its life cycle.
PropogationPropogation time
Spring to Summer
Propogation: The most popular method of propagating Lavandula angustifolia 'Little Lottie', commonly known as English lavender, is through softwood cuttings. This process is typically done in late spring or early summer when new growth is soft and pliable. To propagate, one would cut a 3 to 4-inch segment (about 7.5 to 10 cm) from the new growth of an established plant, just below a node where leaves are attached. It is essential to strip the leaves from the lower half of the cutting and dip the exposed end into a rooting hormone powder. Then, the cutting is placed into a well-draining potting mix, ensuring that the node where the leaves were removed is buried in the soil. The soil should be kept moist but not waterlogged while the cutting establishes roots, which typically takes a few weeks. During this time, the cuttings should be kept in a warm, bright area but out of direct sunlight to encourage root growth without causing stress to the plant.
