Riyadh Plants
Toothed Lavender
Lavandula dentata is the Toothed Lavender, and has the English common name French Lavender. The herb is an evergreen sub-shrub with a strong scent. Toothed Lavender is native to the Mediterranean, northwest Africa, Balearic Islands and Portugal. Regular pruning is also required for the Toothed Lavender. The growth height varies between 30 and 100 cm. The lanceolate pastel-grey-green leaves are dentate. The blue-violet, ear-like flowers are 2 to 5 cm across. The upper petals have impressive appendages, which make this Lavender quite unique. This plant is popular because of its attractive foliage, flowers and refreshing scent. French Lavender prefers alkaline, rocky, silty and well-drained soils. Propagation is the same as for Common Lavender. Like L. angustifolia, and owing to its evergreen foliage, it requires humidity to grow well. A sunny location improves the flowering and scent, but in view of the extreme aridity of the Arriyadh region, and because it does not adapt well to desert conditions, it is best planted in the protected environment of a city garden. Irrigation should be medium with low salinity. The use for planting schemes is comparable to that of the other variety. A a groundcover, grouped or massed plantation, in edging plantations as small hedge, in natural gardens with themes such as rock or steppe gardens, it makes a good eye-catcher because of its ornamental shape. Sheltered planting in parks, public open spaces, containers and private gardens are suitable locations for the use of Lavender in Arriyadh.
