General description
The first Lavandin to be cloned or propagated was Lavandula x intermedia Abrialii in the late 1920's. A natural cross between L. angustifolia and L. spica, Abrialii Lavender was the plant of choice for oil distillation until it was hit hard by a disease. Much of it was replaced by another Lavandin, Super. These two Lavandins closely resembled the harder to grow Lavandula angustifolia and gave more oil per plant. In the 1970's lavender grower Pierre Grosso developed the Lavandin, Grosso Lavender, which was more robust and is now the most widely cultivated Lavandin.
Abrialii is a little shorter than Grosso, but it has the same deep purple flower bracts (instead of green like many lavenders) which may make it the perfect choice for down in front.
Plant requirements
Height: 2 Feet
Hardiness: Perennial
in Zones 5-11
Flower Color: Purple
Characteristics: Full Sun,
Evergreen,
Water Conserving
Maintenance
Traditional lavender maintenance
Practical use
Like all Lavandula x intermedia vaieties, Abrialii makes an attractive fragrant hedge. When the bloom is finished it can be sheared into any shape, but be sure to take off about a third of the stems to promote bushiness and good flower pattern the next spring.