What white lavender is
Standard Lavandula angustifolia has violet flowers, yet white selections exist, such as the dwarf 'Nana Alba' and the taller 'Alba'. They keep the aroma and silvery foliage of the species, with flowers that open cream-white and look bright in evening light. People often ask what white lavender means, and the honest answer is that white flowers are traditionally read as purity, while lavender itself is a symbol of calm in modern gift-giving. Both ideas are matters of custom.
Garden uses
White lavender brightens a border of purple types, softens a path edge and works well in a wedding scheme. In Ireland, summer light lasts until late, which makes pale flowers glow. Use them with white roses, grey foliage and blue salvias.
Care
- Plant in full sun and free-draining soil, in a raised bed if your ground is heavy.
- Keep young plants sheltered from cold wind in their first winter.
- Trim after flowering to maintain a neat shape.
- Do not cut into bare wood.
Flowers appear from July to August. Stems cut for drying hold colour well.
White versus pink or purple
White blooms show brown as they fade, so deadhead promptly. Seedlings from white plants may revert to purple, so take cuttings to keep the true colour.
Safety
According to the ASPCA, lavender is toxic to dogs, cats and horses, with linalool as the main toxin. Treat white forms the same way.
