Lavender – Margaret Roberts

Lavandula × intermedia ‘Margaret Roberts’ | Iconic South African Lavender with Fragrance and Flair

Lavandula ‘Margaret Roberts’ is a proudly South African lavender variety named after the beloved herbalist Margaret Roberts. Celebrated for its tall, elegant stems, silvery foliage, and intense fragrance, this lavender is both beautiful and practical — perfect for garden borders, pot displays, and fragrant hedges. Exceptionally hardy and sun-loving, it thrives in the warm, dry conditions typical of much of South Africa, rewarding growers with long-lasting blooms and aromatic leaves ideal for oils, sachets, and herbal use.

🌿 Plant Care

Sun: Full sun — essential for compact growth and abundant blooms.
Soil: Well-drained, sandy or gravelly soil; avoid heavy clay and waterlogged spots.
Water: Low — drought tolerant once established; water sparingly and allow soil to dry between waterings.
Fertilizer: Light feeding in spring with a low-nitrogen, potassium-rich fertiliser to encourage flowering.
Pruning: Trim lightly after flowering to maintain shape and prevent woodiness; avoid cutting into old wood.
Top tip: Excellent for attracting bees and pollinators — ideal for eco-friendly gardens and farms.

🌸 Specifications

Botanical name: Lavandula × intermedia ‘Margaret Roberts’
Common name: Margaret Roberts Lavender
Growth habit: Upright, bushy perennial with narrow grey-green leaves and long flowering spikes
Size: ±80 cm–1.2 m H × ±70 cm–1 m W
Flowers: Long, mauve-blue spikes with a strong lavender fragrance; blooms prolifically from spring to autumn
Fragrance: Rich, clean lavender scent — excellent for essential oils and potpourri
Lifespan: Long-lived perennial with proper pruning and good drainage
Uses: Herb gardens, borders, rock gardens, cut flowers, dried arrangements, essential oil and herbal remedies

⚡ Quick Facts

• Iconic South African lavender — hardy, fragrant, and floriferous
• Drought tolerant and low maintenance once established
• Perfect for borders, pot displays, and pollinator-friendly gardens