Lavender 'Royal Crown' Lavandula dentata var. dentata 'Royal Crown'

👤 Non-toxic to humans

🐾 Non-toxic to pets

🌸 Blooming

🍪 Edible

‍🌱 Easy-care

ABOUT

'Royal Crown' is a compact, rather tender evergreen shrub to 60cm in height, with narrow, dark green leaves with finely toothed margins, and long-stalked spikes of small purple flowers topped by pale purple bracts

Plant Info

Care

Common Problems

About this plant

Names
- Family
  Lamiaceae
- Synonyms
  French Lavender, Fringed Lavender, Toothed Lavender
- Common names
  Lavandula dentata var. dentata 'Royal Crown'.
Characteristics
- Life cycle
  Perennials
- Foliage type
  Evergreen
- Color of leaves
  Green
- Flower color
  Lavender
- Height
  2 feet [60 cm]
- Spread
  2 feet [60 cm]
- Plant type
  Shrub
- Hardiness zones
  8
- Native area
  Mediterranean

Benefits

General Benefits
- Aesthetic Appeal: Lavender has a naturally beautiful appearance and a distinct, pleasant fragrance that can enhance the sensory appeal of any garden or landscape.
- Landscape Design Versatility: With its attractive foliage and flowers, lavender fits well into various design schemes, from formal gardens to naturalistic landscapes.
- Drought Tolerance: As a Mediterranean native, lavender is well adapted to dry conditions, making it suitable for water-wise gardens and regions with water restrictions.
- Pollinator Attraction: Lavender flowers are highly attractive to bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects, promoting pollinator biodiversity.
- Culinary Uses: Some components of the lavender plant can be used to flavor food and drinks, adding a unique taste to culinary creations.
- Aromatherapy Benefits: While not medical, the fragrance of lavender is widely used in aromatherapy products and can contribute to a calming environment.
- Low Maintenance: Once established, lavender requires minimal care, making it a good choice for busy gardeners or those with limited gardening experience.
- Deer Resistance: The plant’s natural oils can help deter deer, making it a valuable addition to gardens in areas with high deer populations.
Medical Properties
- Antimicrobial: Lavandula dentata has been studied for its potential antimicrobial effects against certain strains of bacteria and fungi.
- Anti-inflammatory: Some studies suggest components in lavender may have an anti-inflammatory effect which could be beneficial for reducing inflammation.
- Anxiolytic: Traditionally, lavender is used for its calming and sedative effects to relieve stress and anxiety.
- Antispasmodic: It is believed to help alleviate muscle spasms and cramps.
- Antidepressant: Though more research is needed, lavender has been used as a complementary treatment for depression.
- Analgesic: Essential oils from lavender may provide mild pain relief effects.
- Carminative: Lavender can be used to help reduce gas and bloating in digestive disorders.
Air-purifying Qualities
This plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses
- Lavender sachets: Dried 'Royal Crown' lavender can be placed in small bags to freshen up drawers and closets with its fragrance, while also acting as a natural deterrent to moths.
- Lavender infused vinegar: The flowers can be used to create a lavender-scented vinegar that can serve as a natural fabric softener or a cleaning agent for a fragrant home.
- Linen spray: A light mist made from lavender water can be sprayed on bed linens for a calming scent before sleep.
- Lavender-flavored sugar: The plant's buds can be layered with sugar to create a uniquely flavored sweetener for teas, baking, or custards.
- Lavender bath salts: Ground-up lavender flowers can be mixed with Epsom salts to create a relaxing bath soak.
- Culinary garnish: The small, individual flowers of 'Royal Crown' can be used as an edible garnish on cakes, pastries, and desserts.
- Natural dye: The flowers of the 'Royal Crown' can be used to naturally dye fabrics or paper with a gentle lavender hue.
- Aromatherapy: The essential oil derived from 'Royal Crown' can be used in diffusers to release its calming scent into the atmosphere.
- Fragrant fire starter: Dried lavender stems from the 'Royal Crown' variety can be bundled and used as a fragrant kindling for fireplaces or outdoor fire pits.
- Bee-friendly garden addition: 'Royal Crown' lavender is beneficial in the garden as it attracts beneficial insects, such as bees and butterflies.

Interesting Facts

Feng Shui
The French Lavender is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign Compitability
The French Lavender is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism
- Calmness: Lavender is well-known for its soothing scent, which is often used in aromatherapy to promote relaxation and calmness.
- Purity: The clean and refreshing fragrance of lavender is sometimes associated with cleanliness and purity.
- Devotion: Lavender’s long-lasting nature and its use in preserving clothes from moths are symbolic of devotion and loyalty.
- Silence: In the language of flowers, lavender can represent silence, perhaps because it was used in sachets to quieten the scent of unwashed clothes.
- Grace: The elegant shape and structure of the lavender plant convey an air of grace and sophistication.
- Healing: Historically, lavender has been used for its medicinal properties, symbolizing health and healing.

💧

Every 1-2 weeks

Water

☀️

2500 - 10000 Lux

Light

💦️

Humidity

🪴

Every 2-3 years

Repotting

🌱️

Spring-Early Summer

Propogation

✂️️

As needed

Pruning

Water
French Lavender requires watering when the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch. Typically, this will be about once a week, but it can vary depending on climate and environmental conditions. During the growing season in spring and summer, it may need more frequent watering, about 1 gallon per plant, to maintain consistent soil moisture. However, it’s crucial not to overwater, as French Lavender is drought-tolerant and prefers drier soils. In winter, reduce watering to every two weeks or less, depending on the plant's dormancy and the humidity levels.
Light
French Lavender thrives in full sun with at least six hours of direct light daily. The best spot for this plant would be an area that receives unfiltered sunlight for most of the day. Avoiding shady spots is important as insufficient light can lead to sparse blooms and a leggy plant.
Temperature
French Lavender prefers a temperature range between 50 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit. It can survive minimum temperatures down to about 20 degrees Fahrenheit, but it's not tolerant of extreme cold. The ideal growing temperatures are warm and temperate, but this plant can handle fluctuations as long as they're not dramatic or prolonged.
Pruning
Prune French Lavender to promote bushy growth and prevent it from becoming woody. Pruning can be done in early spring or just after the first flowering to encourage a second bloom. Cut back about one third of the plant's overall height, focusing on old-growth to maintain shape and vigor. Prune yearly for the best results.
Cleaning
As needed
Soil
French Lavender 'Royal Crown' thrives in well-draining, sandy or gravelly soil mixtures to prevent root rot. A pH between 6.5 and 8.0 is ideal for this lavender variety, with a lean towards alkalinity. Incorporate organic matter like compost, but ensure good drainage by adding perlite or coarse sand.
Repotting
French Lavender 'Royal Crown' should be repotted every two to three years to replenish nutrients in the soil and accommodate root growth. Younger plants may require more frequent repotting, while established plants prefer minimal disturbance.
Humidity & Misting
French Lavender 'Royal Crown' prefers dry air and low humidity conditions, reflecting its Mediterranean origin. Aim for humidity levels below 50% for optimal growth and to avoid issues with mold or fungi.
Suitable locations
- Indoor
  Place in a sunny spot, water sparingly, ensure good airflow.
- Outdoor
  Plant in full sun, well-draining soil, protect from severe frost.
- Hardiness zone
  8-9 USDA
Life cycle
Lavandula dentata var. dentata 'Royal Crown', commonly known as French Lavender 'Royal Crown', starts its life cycle with seed germination, which requires well-draining soil and warm temperatures. Seedlings develop true leaves and are gradually hardened off before being transplanted outdoors in a sunny location with low to moderate water requirements. The vegetative stage is marked by robust growth of grey-green, dentate leaves and the plant begins to form a bushy structure. Upon reaching maturity, French Lavender 'Royal Crown' produces aromatic purple flowers on long stems that attract pollinators, typically in late spring to early summer. After the blooming period, it enters a somewhat dormant phase during the hotter parts of summer, slowing its growth. It may bloom again in the fall if conditions are favorable, after which it prepares for winter, becoming dormant in colder climates, or it may continue to grow in milder regions, completing its perennial cycle.
Propogation
- Propogation time
  Spring-Early Summer
- The most popular method to propagate Lavender 'Royal Crown' is through softwood cuttings. This is typically done in the spring or early summer when the plant's new growth is still tender but has begun to harden slightly. Cut a 3 to 4 inch (7.5 to 10 cm) length of stem just below a node, remove the lower leaves, and dip the cut end in rooting hormone. Place the cutting into a well-draining soil mix and ensure it stays moist until roots develop, which usually takes a few weeks. Some protection from intense sunlight may be necessary to prevent the cutting from drying out before it has established roots.