Lavender is a beloved herb known for its sweet floral aroma and calming properties. Most lavender plants produce flowers in shades of purple, from pale lavender to deep violet. But some gardeners wonder – does blue lavender exist?
The short answer is yes, there are a few rare varieties of lavender that produce blooms in tones of blue. However, true blue lavender is uncommon. Most plants marketed as “blue” lavender actually produce flowers that are more accurately described as purple or violet.
In this article, we’ll take a deep dive into the science and horticulture behind blue lavender. We’ll cover topics like:
– The genetics behind blue blooms
– Breeding efforts to create blue lavender
– Specific cultivars that produce blue flowers
– Growing conditions for blue lavender
– Alternatives to true blue lavender
So if you’ve ever wondered “what makes a lavender blue?” or you’re curious about planting blue lavender in your own garden, read on!
The Genetics of Blue Lavender
To understand blue lavender, we first need to understand a bit about the genetics and biochemistry behind flower colors.
The main pigments responsible for the range of colors seen in lavender blooms are anthocyanins. These water-soluble plant pigments produce hues ranging from pink to purple to blue, depending on the pH of the plant tissue.
Specifically, the anthocyanin pigment delphinidin gives lavender its characteristic purple tones. At neutral pH, delphinidin appears reddish-purple. In more acidic conditions, it takes on a bluer, more violaceous hue.
For a lavender flower to appear truly blue, it must have higher levels of delphinidin and other pigments like rosindin. It also needs genes that make the pH of the petals more acidic.
This combination of pigments and acidity shifts the flowers toward the blue end of the spectrum. But it’s a delicate balance, making vibrant blue blooms rare. Through selective breeding over many generations, some lavender growers have achieved this elusive color.
Breeding Blue Lavender
Most types of lavender grown commercially and in home gardens derive from the species Lavandula angustifolia. This variety encompasses English lavender, French lavender, and others.
L. angustifolia naturally produces blooms in shades of violet-purple. But by cross-breeding different genetic lines, growers have developed new cultivars with distinctive traits – including rare blue blooming varieties.
Early pioneers in blue lavender breeding were the Reverend Upjohn and a Dutch grower named Victor Lemoine. In the late 1800s, their work produced two English lavender cultivars with blue notes – ‘Hidcote Blue’ and ‘Loddon Blue’.
In the 1920s, Upjohn released ‘Royal Crown’, one of the first decidedly blue English lavenders. But many of these early blue varieties had poor fertility and vigor compared to traditional lavenders.
Modern specialty breeders use meticulous selective breeding to combine the vivid blue color with resilience and productivity. Two key players in blue lavender breeding today are Dutch grower De Kwakel and the British nursery Downderry Nursery.
Blue Lavender Cultivars
So which specific lavender varieties actually produce blue blooms? Here are some of the top contenders:
| Cultivar | Description |
|---|---|
| Phenomenal | An English lavender that produces deep violet-blue flower spikes above silvery foliage. It has a compact habit and good heat tolerance. |
| Anouk | A Dutch lavender hybrid with dense blue flower heads on long stalks, creating a butterfly-like silhouette. |
| Blue Scent Early | One of the earliest lavenders to bloom, thiscompact English lavender has violet-blue flowers on gray-green foliage. |
| Royal Crown | First introduced in the 1920s, this historic English lavender has small leaves and blooms in a rare, rich blue hue. |
| Blue River | A seed-grown English lavender with long blue flower wands. It has a bushy habit and good aroma. |
These represent just a sampling of the blue lavender varieties available today. Depending on your climate and growing conditions, you may discover others that thrive in your garden.
Growing Blue Lavender
Can you grow blue blooming lavender in your own yard? With the right variety choice, proper care, and optimal conditions, it is possible. Here are some tips:
– Select a compact blue lavender cultivar suitable for your region. Avoid marginally hardy varieties in cold climates.
– Plant in full sun in well-drained alkaline soil. Good drainage is essential.
– Prune lightly in spring to shape the plant. Avoid heavy pruning which removes the current season’s flower stalks.
– Water moderately in spring and summer, allowing soil to dry out between waterings.
– Apply slow-release fertilizer in early spring. Excess nitrogen can make flowers less vivid.
– Monitor for common lavender pests like root rot, spider mites, and spittlebugs.
– Mulch around the plants to cool roots and retain moisture.
– Harvest blooms for arrangements just as the bottom flowers on spikes open.
With excellent growing conditions and proper maintenance, you can coax the most brilliant blue hues from genetically blue-flowering lavender varieties. Patience and realistic expectations are needed, as the blue coloration may vary from year to year or fade later in summer.
Alternative Blues
If you love the color blue, but true blue lavender is not thriving for you, consider these alternatives:
– Grow purple lavenders en masse for a hazy blue effect.
– Plant lavender with cool blue perennials like Russian sage or blue fescue grass.
– Choose annuals like lobelia, ageratum, or pansies in blue shades.
– Opt for tender green-leafed varieties for blue-hued mounds of foliage.
– Use blue pots, garden decor, or paint features like fences or furniture for color.
With creativity and an appreciation for nature’s palette, you can design a beautiful blue-themed garden even without elusive blue lavender blooms.
Conclusion
In closing, blue lavender does exist as a rare color variant achievable through selective breeding. Stunning cultivars like Phenomenal and Anouk can produce blue-violet tones under ideal conditions. Yet in reality, the lavender grown by most gardeners skews more purple or mauve on the color wheel.
If you have your heart set on blue lavender blooms, choose an appropriate variety, plant it in optimal conditions, and provide attentive care. Temper desires for electric blue with the charming, mutable hues found naturally in this classic herb. And if pure blue proves too challenging, explore other ways to paint your garden spaces with calming blue tones.
