UTILISATION OF LAVANDULA PINNATA L. F. AS AN ORNAMENTAL PLANT

M.J.O. Dragovic
Lavandula pinnata L. f. or Pinnate Lavender is an endemic from Madeira and Canary Islands, a small, grey-tomentose shrub, with pinnate leaves and blue-violet flowers. Studies were done on propagation methods and adaptation of this plant to pot and garden cultivation. If seeds are viable, germination occurs rapidly, within 2-3 weeks, with percentages of 66%-100%. Recently harvested seeds (<6 months) needed a pre-soaking in water for 12 or 24 hours to germinate. Stored seeds remained viable for at least 4 years, and did not require pre-soaking in water to germinate. Pinnate lavender is also easily propagated by tip cuttings with 4-6 leaf nodes; rooting percentages of 91-100% can be achieved in less than 8 weeks, without rooting hormones. Studies of adaptation to pot and garden were carried out. In garden, under full sunlight, L. pinnata branched rapidly, resulting in a compact shrub 40-48 cm wide and 30-35 cm tall within 5 months after planting. Flowers are present throughout the year, though more abundant from March to May. L. pinnata is a fragrant plant that attracts bees and butterflies; it tolerates salt sprays and requires little maintenance. L. pinnata can also be used as a pot plant, but the pot should be taller than wide, with a size ≥10 cm in diameter, in order to avoid root restraint. To obtain more compact plants with their typical grey-green leaves, they must be kept under less than 70% of shade. Pruning accelerated the production of more branched and compact plants.
Dragovic, M.J.O. (2015). UTILISATION OF LAVANDULA PINNATA L. F. AS AN ORNAMENTAL PLANT. Acta Hortic. 1097, 107-115
DOI: 10.17660/ActaHortic.2015.1097.12
https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.2015.1097.12
endemic, Macaronesia, new ornamental, domestication, propagation, pot plant, garden plant
English

Acta Horticulturae