Phenomenal

Family: Lamiaceae Herb

Breathe in the first bloom of Phenomenal Lavender—an aromatic rush of cool, floral lavender that lingers on warm air.

At maturity, its richly colored flower spikes rise with a poised, silvery grace, offering a crisp, dry-textured bouquet that holds its fragrance beautifully for sachets and dried arrangements. Grow Phenomenal for a long season of scent and an ornamental presence that turns borders and sunny beds into a fragrant, living landscape.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 90 DaysHabit: Upright

Planting schedules and alerts are optimized for Columbus (Zone 6b).

Crop Dates

Milestone	Date
Start Indoors	Feb 28th
Last Frost	Apr 25th
Transplant / Sow Outdoors	Jun 20th
Harvest Begins	Sep 18th
Harvest Ends	Oct 16th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	90
Sun Requirements	Full Sun
Growth Habit	Upright
Support Needed	None
Planting Depth	Normal
Germination Temp (°F)	65
Min Soil Temp (°F)	60
Min Night Temp (°F)	40
Harden Off (days)	7

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

This cultivar reads like perfume in edible form—cool, floral, and lingering—so it shines when you steep (milk/syrup) or bake in small, controlled doses. Use it sparingly because too much turns from aromatic to soapy fast, especially in hot preparations.

Best Uses

infuse milk or cream for custards and ice cream
steep for a clean lavender syrup or simple syrup
bake into shortbread and sugar cookies for a restrained perfume
dried-lavender sachet infusions for cocktails and infused salts (remove before serving)

Flavor Profile

cool, concentrated floral aroma dry, slightly resinous sweetness lightly minty, perfumed finish crisp aromatic texture when dried

Kitchen Pairings

honey lemon zest vanilla dark chocolate almond white chocolate

Frequently Asked Questions

What pest or disease most commonly affects Lavandula × intermedia, and how do I treat it?

In Lavandula × intermedia, root and stem issues from overly wet soil commonly show up as crown rot (wilting, darkened stems near the base). Remove any visibly rotting parts, improve drainage immediately, and water only when the top 2–3 cm of soil is dry; avoid wetting the foliage. If you see persistent fungal growth or repeated symptoms, cut back to healthy wood and switch to a well-draining mix (often with extra grit) to prevent recurrence.

How often should I water Lavandula × intermedia during the main growing phase?

During active growth, water deeply but infrequently—aim for roughly once every 7–14 days depending on heat—so water reaches the root zone and then drains away. Let the soil dry back to about 2–3 cm below the surface before watering again; lavender in Lamiaceae strongly dislikes consistently moist soil. In full sun, established plants often need less frequent watering, while newly planted starts may need a lighter cadence for the first few weeks.

How can I tell when Lavandula × intermedia is ready to harvest (about 90 days)?

Harvest when the flower spikes are mostly open but still show some buds that haven’t fully colored out—this timing usually produces the best fragrance for dried or bundled stems. You should be able to see clear bloom on the upper and middle parts of the spike while the bottom is just beginning to open. Cut stems early in the day, leaving 5–10 cm of foliage below the cut to encourage a strong second flush.