'Goodwin Creek Gray' lavender (Lavandula x ginginsii 'Goodwin Creek Gray') is a unique and increasingly popular hybrid that stands out from both the English lavenders and the common lavandins. It's a cross between Lavandula dentata (French Lavender) and Lavandula lanata (Woolly Lavender), which gives it a distinct set of characteristics, particularly its foliage and bloom season. While its scent differs from true English lavender, it offers a compelling combination of traits for gardeners and those seeking specific aromatic qualities.
Here are the unique features of 'Goodwin Creek Gray' lavender:
1. Striking Silver-Gray, Toothed Foliage:
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Highly Ornamental Leaves: This is perhaps its most distinguishing feature. Unlike the typically slender, entire (untoothed) leaves of English lavenders and lavandins, 'Goodwin Creek Gray' has finely toothed or serrated, silvery-gray leaves. The "gray" in its name comes from this beautiful foliage, and the toothed margins are inherited from L. dentata.
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Soft, Woolly Texture: The leaves often have a soft, slightly woolly or fuzzy texture, inherited from its L. lanata parent, which adds to its visual appeal and tactile interest. This fuzziness contributes to its drought tolerance by reducing water loss.
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Year-Round Interest: The silvery foliage provides excellent contrast in the garden and remains evergreen in milder climates (Zone 7+), offering beauty even when not in bloom.
2. Extended Bloom Season & Reblooming Capacity:
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Long-Lasting Blooms: 'Goodwin Creek Gray' is celebrated for its exceptionally long bloom period. It typically starts flowering in late spring/early summer (around May-June in many regions) and can continue producing blooms sporadically or in flushes through fall, and even into winter in very mild climates. This prolonged display is a significant advantage over many English lavenders and lavandins which often have a more concentrated bloom window.
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Consistent Color: It produces deep purple-blue flowers on long, slender spikes that rise above the attractive foliage. The flowers themselves are relatively small but produced in abundance.
3. Unique Scent Profile (Aromatic Foliage Contribution):
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Herbaceous and Camphoraceous with Sweetness: While its scent isn't the purely sweet, low-camphor aroma of L. angustifolia, it's also not as aggressively camphoraceous as some lavandins. It has a pronounced herbaceous and camphoraceous quality, often described as having notes of eucalyptus or even rosemary.
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Foliage Scent: A unique aspect is that both its flowers and its foliage are highly aromatic, contributing to its overall fragrance. Brushing against the plant releases a delightful scent even when it's not in full bloom, which is a characteristic shared with its L. dentata parent.
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Less Sweet than English Lavender: It lacks the high linalyl acetate content of true English lavenders, so it's not typically used for culinary applications where a sweet floral note is desired.
4. Heat, Humidity, and Drought Tolerance:
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Adaptability: This hybrid is known for being more tolerant of heat and humidity than many other lavenders, particularly English lavenders, which often struggle in damp, humid conditions that can lead to fungal issues like root rot. This makes it a better choice for gardens in warmer, more humid regions within its hardiness zones.
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Drought-Tolerant: Once established, it is very drought-tolerant, making it an excellent choice for xeriscaping or low-water landscapes, due in part to its silvery, fuzzy foliage.
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Hardiness: It's hardy in USDA Zones 7-9 (though some sources suggest it can extend into Zone 6 with protection), making it a suitable option for areas like Door County WI that might experience some humidity but still get cold winters.
5. Versatile Uses:
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Ornamental: Its striking foliage, long bloom time, and mounding habit make it superb for ornamental use in perennial borders, rock gardens, containers, and as an informal hedge.
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Crafting and Sachets: The fragrant dried foliage and flowers are excellent for potpourri, sachets, and other aromatic crafts, providing a distinct, non-traditional lavender scent.
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Pollinator Magnet: Like most lavenders, it's highly attractive to bees, butterflies, and other beneficial pollinators.
In summary, 'Goodwin Creek Gray' lavender distinguishes itself with its captivating silvery-gray, finely toothed foliage, an exceptionally long and often reblooming season, and a unique aromatic profile that blends herbaceous and camphoraceous notes. Its increased tolerance for heat and humidity, combined with its drought resistance, makes it a robust and reliable choice for gardeners in a wider range of climates than many other lavender varieties, making it a valuable addition to any lavender farm or home garden.