Lavender 'Grosso' - Monday garden blogging 3

Seen here against a backdrop of happy Rockbridge County, Lexington, and Buena Vista Democrats celebrating outside our HQ, a sweep of lavender 'Grosso' (Lavandula x intermedia 'Grosso'). This is the variety that's grown by the acre for perfume in Provence, a particularly fragrant form whose deep purple flowers are held on long stalks above the plant in June. The foliage is almost as heavily scented as the blooms. It maintains its good looks all winter; the only work required is a good shearing-back in late March to set the stage for bushy new growth and abundant blooms. We'd have walked through brambles to take this picture; it was just an added pleasure to make our way through this planting, which gave off a heady scent to heighten the giddy mood.

Plant 'Grosso' in neutral, well-drained soil in full sun, and allow it space to breathe. It gets to nearly three feet around at maturity. Site it by a path so that you can enjoy brushing against it every day. I've always loved that fragrance; now it will also remind me of the balmy day we gathered to celebrate the blue wave.

[Faces obscured because I'm posting without asking permission of my fellow Dems. Trust me: we're all grinning ear to ear.]