English lavender is a dependably hardy, heat tolerant, drought resistant perennial, well suited to our arid, cold climate. Aromatic, green to grey-green foliage has a rich, resin scent, and grows in tight clumps 1 to 2 feet in height and width, depending on variety. Flowers form at the ends of stiff stems, in whorls of blue to lavender to purple, again, depending on variety. Flowers may add another 6 to 12 inches of height. Use in any sunny spot, such as perennial border, herb garden, parkstrip, lining a pathway.
Lavenders thrive in full sun and poor soils, though a little kindness will be rewarded with a bounty of flowers. Plant in well-drained soil. Cut back 1/3 to 1/2 size in spring when new growth begins to emerge. Does not like to be divided, though sometimes stems that touch the ground will root, and these can be snipped from the parent plant and transplanted. Deer resistant.