The L. x chaytorae cultivars are a small group of hybrid lavenders that are a cross between L. angustifolia subspecies angustifolia (English lavenders) and L. lanata (Wooly lavender). The first lavender in this group occurred as a garden seedling in the UK in the mid 1980s and was sold under the name of ‘Sawyers’. Since then other seedlings have been selected in the UK, Australia, New Zealand, and the USA. Currently, there are around fourteen recognized L. x chaytorae cultivars and twelve of them are available in the Pacific NW. Four of these cultivars were discovered as garden seedlings in Oregon and introduced by Andy and Melissa Van Hevelingen of Van Hevelingen Herb Nursery in Newberg, OR. They are:
‘Ana Luisa’, ‘Isabel’, ‘Jennifer’, and ‘Kathleen Elizabeth’ (also known as ‘Silver Frost’), and are named after members of their family.
All of the L. x chaytoraes form striking silver mounded shrubs with soft silver foliage. These lavenders have inherited the hardiness of English lavenders and produce a prolific amount of flower spikes with dark violet-purple-blue flowers. The flowers are a beautiful contrast with the soft silver foliage inherited from their Wooly lavender parent.
L. x chaytorae varieties bloom in July into early August in the PNW, after other lavender flowers have faded. They provide lots of fresh long-stemmed lavender flowers to enjoy later in the summer.
Most L. x chaytorae cultivars are hardy to -14 degrees F. They grow best in very well-drained, calcerous soil in very dry, full sun locations. They are hardy plants when grown in those conditions and most will survive in Zones 6 and 7. They thrive when planted in rock gardens and in raised beds, and even in large containers, if protected in the winter. This group of lavenders make attractive garden borders and hedges and may be grown as specimen plants near other hardy lavenders and perennials that like the same dry conditions. The silver foliage stays silver all year and is attractive in the landscape, even in the winter months.
The dark violet-purple-blue flowers produce a unique, sweet and pungent aroma. The flowers are lovely when used in fresh and dried arrangements. The fresh, long flowering stems may be woven with ribbon to make lavender wands. The dried buds can be added to potpourris, used to fill sachet bags, and added to other fragrant lavender crafts and products. These lavenders are not commonly used as culinary lavender, but dried buds from some of the varieties have been used sparingly to flavor beverages and cooked dishes.
There are thirteen recognized L. x chaytorae cultivars listed in The Genus Lavandula, by Tim Upton & Susyn Andrews, Timber Press, 2004. Most of these cultivars are being propagated and offered by several nurseries in the Pacific NW. This list includes twelve cultivars, including one new cultivar that was introduced recently, after the book was published.
Note: Four of these cultivars were introduced in the Pacific NW by Andy and Melissa Van Hevelingen, of Van Hevelingen Herb Nursery in Newberg, OR. They named these lavenders after members of their family.
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‘Ana Luisa’
Height/Spread: 24-30 inches
Flower Heads: dark purple buds open to dark violet flowers
Special Features: hardy to zone 5, long stems (12-14”), soft silver foliage, open loose habit.
Introduced in Pacific NW by Van Hevelingen Herb Nursery, 1998
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‘Andreas’
Height/Spread: 20-24 inches
Flower Heads: dark violet-blue buds open to violet-blue flowers
Special Features: hardy to zone 7, silver foliage, compact habit,
Introduced in New Zealand, 1990s
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‘Bridehead Blue’
Height/Spread: 30-39 inches
Flower Heads: dark purple-silver buds open to dark violet-blue flowers
Special Features: large plant, open sprawling habit, long flower heads, sweet aroma Introduced in UK, 1999 (named after Bridehead Estate Nursery)
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‘Gorgeous’
Height/Spread: 28-36 inches
Flower Heads: green buds with purple marks open to dark-violet-blue flowers Special Features: hardy to zone 7, soft silver foliage, large dark violet-blue flowers Introduced in UK by Downderry Nursery, 2003
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‘Isabel’
Height/Spread: 16-24 inches
Flower Heads: violet purple buds open to violet-blue flowers
Special Features: hardy to zone 6, green-silver soft foliage, due to the dominant L. angustifolia parent ‘Isabel’ has a sweeter fragrance compared to other L. chaytorae cultivars, very hardy.
Introduced in Pacific NW by Van Hevelingen Herb Nursery, 2023
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‘Jennifer’
Height/Spread: 24-30 inches
Flower Heads: frosted silver violet-blue buds open to violet-blue flowers Special Features: hardy to zone 7, long stems (12-15”), compact habit, soft silver foliage.
Introduced in Pacific NW by Van Hevelingen Herb Nursery, 2001
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‘Joan Head’ (named after Joan Head, editor of The Lavender Bag)
Height/Spread: 20-24” inches
Flower Heads: dark purple buds open to dark violet-blue flowers
Special Features: hardy to zone 7, long flower heads, compact habit, soft silver foliage, sweet/pungent aroma
Introduced in New Zealand, mid 1990s
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‘Lisa Marie’ (a cross between L. angustifolia ‘Martha Roderick’ and L. lanata) Height/Spread: 20-24 inches
Flower Heads: frosted silver dark purple-violet buds open to violet-blue flowers Special Features: hardy to zone 6, compact habit, soft silver foliage, very fragrant aroma Introduced by Kenneth R. Montgomery of Anderson Valley Nursery, Boonville, CA, 1991 (He named this lavender after his daughter.)
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‘Richard Gray’ (received Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) Award of Garden Merit) Height/Spread: 20-28 inches
Flower Heads: medium purple buds open to cylindrical purple flowers
Special Features: hardy to zone 6, compact habit, short stems, soft silver foliage Introduced in UK, Royal Botanical Gardens Kew, (named after staff member, 1980s
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‘Sawyers’ (‘Quicksilver’)
Height/Spread: 27 inches
Flower Heads: dark violet-blue buds open to dark violet-blue flowers, blooms later Special Features: hardy to zone 6, tall form with large conical bushy purple flowers, compact habit, sweet/pungent aroma
Introduced in UK, 1980s, released as ‘Sawyers’ by Norfolk Lavender, 1991
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‘Silver Frost’ (‘Kathleen Elizabeth’)
Height/Spread: 18-20 inches
Flower Heads: dark purple buds open to dark violet-blue flowers
Special Features: hardy to zone 7, bushy habit, soft silver foliage
Introduced in Pacific NW by Van Hevelingen Herb Nursery, 1991
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‘Silver Sands’ (‘Royal Bride’) (a cross between L. lanata x L. angustifolia ‘Royal Purple’) Height/Spread: 24-30 inches
Flower Heads: silver overlaid dark purple buds open to dark violet flowers Special Features: large sprawling, vigorous growing, long flower heads and stems, blooms later, stunning specimen
Introduced in UK by Jersey Lavender, late 1990s
Contributed by
Chris Mulder
Barn Owl Nursery
Edited & formatted by
Pam Baker
Little Lavender Farm
