Big Time Blue Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia 'Big Time Blue')

Lavandula 'Big Time Blue' is a cultivar of lavender known for its large, vibrant blue-purple flowers and compact growth habit. Here's an overview of this variety:

Characteristics:

Flowers: 'Big Time Blue' lavender produces abundant spikes of large, deep blue-purple flowers. The blooms are highly fragrant and attractive to pollinators such as bees and butterflies. They appear in late spring to early summer and can continue blooming intermittently throughout the season if deadheaded regularly.

Foliage: The foliage of 'Big Time Blue' is aromatic and gray-green in color. The leaves are narrow and lance-shaped, typical of lavender plants. They add to the plant's overall texture and fragrance.

Growth habit: This lavender cultivar has a compact and mounding growth habit, reaching a height and width of about 12 to 18 inches (30 to 45 cm) at maturity. It forms dense clumps of foliage, making it ideal for use as a border plant or in containers.

Hardiness: 'Big Time Blue' lavender is typically hardy in USDA Hardiness Zones 5 to 9, although specific hardiness may vary depending on local conditions and microclimates.

Fragrance: Like other lavender varieties, 'Big Time Blue' emits a delightful fragrance that is both calming and invigorating. The aromatic oils in the foliage and flowers are often used in potpourri, sachets, culinary applications, and aromatherapy.

Environmental Requirements:

Sunlight: Plant 'Big Time Blue' lavender in a location that receives full sun for at least 6 to 8 hours per day. Lavender thrives in sunny conditions and may become leggy or fail to bloom if grown in shade.

Soil: Provide well-draining soil with good drainage. Lavender plants are intolerant of wet or waterlogged soil, which can lead to root rot and other problems. Sandy or gravelly soils with low fertility are preferred.

Watering: While 'Big Time Blue' lavender is drought tolerant once established, it benefits from regular watering during dry spells, especially in the first growing season after planting. Water deeply but infrequently to encourage deep root growth.

Pruning: Pruning lavender plants is important for maintaining their shape, improving air circulation, and promoting vigorous growth. After the initial flush of blooms has faded, prune the plant back by about one-third to encourage branching and additional flowering.

Mulching: Apply a thin layer of gravel, sand, or other well-draining mulch around the base of the plant to help conserve soil moisture, suppress weeds, and regulate soil temperature. Avoid organic mulches that can trap moisture around the stems and cause rot.

Fertilizing: Lavender plants generally do not require heavy fertilization. In fact, excessive nitrogen can lead to leggy growth and reduced flowering. Apply a balanced fertilizer sparingly in spring if needed, following the manufacturer's recommendations.

'Big Time Blue' lavender is a beautiful and fragrant addition to garden landscapes, providing color, texture, and fragrance throughout the growing season. With its compact growth habit and stunning flowers, it's a versatile plant that can be used in borders, rock gardens, herb gardens, and container plantings.