Heirloom

Ellagance Purple

Lavandula angustifolia

Wikimedia Commons

Deep purple flowers bloom the first year on large dense spikes. Plants are bushy, uniform, and well-branched. An alternative to vegetative varieties. Winter hardy in Zones 5-7. FleuroSelect Gold Award Winner. Edible Flowers: The flowers can be used to garnish desserts and as a distinct flavor element in baked goods. Flavor is sweet and floral and pairs well with citrus, berries, nuts, mint, and cinnamon.

Harvest

100-110d

Days to harvest

📅

Sun

Full sun to partial shade

☀️

Zones

5–9

USDA hardiness

🗺️

Height

12-24 inches

📏

Planting Timeline

Zone:

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Start Indoors

Transplant

Harvest

Start Indoors

Transplant

Harvest

Showing dates for Ellagance Purple in USDA Zone 7

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Zone Map

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Ellagance Purple · Zones 5–9

What grows well in Zone 7? →

Growing Details

Difficulty

Easy

Spacing18-24 inches

SoilWell-draining soil, tolerates various soil types; benefits from compost amendment

WaterRegular during establishment; moderate and drought-tolerant once established

SeasonPerennial

FlavorSweet and floral with subtle herbal notes; pairs well with citrus, berries, nuts, mint, and cinnamon

ColorDeep purple

Zone-by-Zone Planting Calendar

Zone	Indoor Start	Transplant	Direct Sow	Harvest
Zone 3	April – May	June – July	—	July – October
Zone 4	March – April	June – July	—	July – October
Zone 5	March – April	May – June	—	June – October
Zone 6	March – April	May – June	—	June – November
Zone 7	February – March	April – June	—	June – November
Zone 8	February – March	April – May	—	May – December
Zone 9	January – February	March – April	—	April – December
Zone 10	January – January	February – April	—	April – December

Complete Growing Guide

Light: Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day), Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours). Soil: Loam (Silt), Sand, Shallow Rocky. Soil pH: Alkaline (>8.0), Neutral (6.0-8.0). Drainage: Good Drainage. Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.. Spread: 2 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.. Spacing: 12 inches-3 feet. Growth rate: Medium. Maintenance: Low. Propagation: Division, Seed, Stem Cutting. Regions: Coastal, Mountains, Piedmont.

Harvesting

Ellagance Purple reaches harvest at 100 - 110 days from sowing per Johnny's Selected Seeds.

Fruits are non-ornamental nutlets.

Type: Capsule.

Storage & Preservation

Harvest Ellagance Purple lavender flowers at peak bloom, typically around day 100. Store fresh stems in a cool, dry place at 50–60°F with moderate humidity (40–50%), ideally in a vase with minimal water or wrapped loosely in paper to prevent mold. Fresh cut stems keep for 1–2 weeks; dried flowers last 1–2 years when stored properly.

Drying is the preferred preservation method—hang bundles upside down in a warm, well-ventilated space away from direct sunlight for 2–3 weeks until brittle, then strip flowers from stems and store in airtight containers. Freezing whole sprigs in ice cubes works for culinary use, though color and fragrance fade slightly. Avoid moisture during storage; any dampness invites fungal issues.

This variety's deep purple pigmentation holds remarkably well through drying, making it ideal for crafting and long-term ornamental display.

History & Origin

Ellagance Purple is open-pollinated, meaning seed saved from healthy plants will produce true-to-type offspring. Listed in the Johnny's Selected Seeds catalog.

Origin: Mediterranean region France, Italy, Spain

Advantages

+Deep purple flowers bloom reliably in first year from seed
+FleuroSelect Gold Award winner indicates superior genetics and performance quality
+Winter hardy through Zone 5 makes it regionally versatile for gardeners
+Edible flowers offer unique sweet-floral flavor for culinary and garnish uses
+Bushy uniform growth requires minimal pruning or plant management effort

Considerations

-100-110 day timeline limits use in very short growing seasons
-Winter hardiness ends at Zone 5; unreliable survival in colder climates
-Lavender generally dislikes heavy clay soils and poor drainage conditions

Companion Plants

Rosemary is the most practical neighbor here — same low-water requirements, same preference for sharp drainage, and neither one will crowd the other at 18–24 inch spacing. Marigolds pull their weight by confusing aphids and whiteflies, both of which NC State Extension flags as real pressure points for lavender in warm climates. Chives add a similar deterrent effect without competing for root space. Keep fennel well away — it's broadly allelopathic and documented to stunt nearby plants — and mint will spread aggressively enough in our zone 7 Georgia gardens to physically smother a slow-establishing lavender crown by midsummer if you're not watching it.

Plant Together

Basil

Repels aphids and thrips while attracting beneficial pollinators

Marigold

Deters nematodes and aphids with natural pest-repelling compounds

Chives

Repels aphids and other soft-bodied insects with sulfur compounds

Nasturtium

Acts as trap crop for aphids and cucumber beetles

Oregano

Repels ants and aphids while attracting beneficial insects

Parsley

Attracts beneficial wasps and hoverflies that control pests

Lavender

Repels moths, fleas, and flies with aromatic essential oils

Rosemary

Deters cabbage moths and carrot flies with strong fragrance

Keep Apart

Black Walnut

Produces juglone toxin that inhibits growth of many plants

Fennel

Allelopathic properties inhibit growth of most neighboring plants

Mint

Aggressive spreading root system competes for nutrients and space

Nutrition Facts

Calories

23kcal(1%)

Protein

3.15g(6%)

Fiber

1.6g(6%)

Carbs

2.65g(1%)

Fat

0.64g(1%)

Vitamin C

18mg(20%)

Vitamin A

264mcg(29%)

Vitamin K

415mcg(346%)

Iron

3.17mg(18%)

Calcium

177mg(14%)

Potassium

295mg(6%)

Per 100g serving. % Daily Value based on 2,000 calorie diet. Source: USDA FoodData Central (FDC #172232)

Pests & Disease Resistance

Common Pests

Aphids, spider mites, whiteflies (in warm climates)

Diseases

Powdery mildew (in humid conditions), root rot (if overwatered)

Troubleshooting Ellagance Purple

What you'll see, why it happens, and what to do about it.

White powdery coating on leaf surfaces, usually appearing in late summer after weeks of humidity

Likely Causes

Powdery mildew (Erysiphe cichoracearum) — thrives when warm days and cool nights combine with poor airflow
Crowded planting that traps moisture around foliage — spacing tighter than 18 inches is a common culprit

What to Do

1.Cut back the worst-affected stems by about one-third and dispose of the clippings in the trash, not the compost
2.Confirm plants are spaced 18–24 inches apart and not getting shaded by neighboring crops — NC State Extension notes that sun-loving plants placed in shade are weaker and more susceptible to disease
3.If the problem persists, apply a dilute neem oil spray in the early morning so foliage dries before evening

Plant wilting and declining despite regular watering, with brown, mushy roots visible when you pull it

Likely Causes

Root rot (Phytophthora spp. or Pythium spp.) — nearly always triggered by overwatering or poorly draining soil
Heavy clay soil holding water around the crown, which is a particular hazard in Georgia's Piedmont

What to Do

1.Dig the plant, trim off any black or slimy roots with clean shears, and replant in a raised bed or berm amended with coarse sand or perlite
2.Water only when the top 2 inches of soil are dry — once established, Ellagance Purple handles drought well and doesn't need regular irrigation
3.In containers, use a terracotta pot with drainage holes and empty the saucer within 30 minutes of watering

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does Ellagance Purple take to grow from seed to first flowers?▼

Ellagance Purple reaches maturity in 100-110 days from sowing. If you start seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before your last spring frost and transplant after frost danger passes, you'll see the first flower spikes within 6-8 weeks of transplanting outdoors, typically by mid-summer in most regions. This rapid flowering is a key advantage—you get blooms in the same year from seed.

Is Ellagance Purple good for beginners?▼

Yes, absolutely. Ellagance Purple is rated as easy to grow and forgiving of common beginner mistakes. Seeds germinate reliably indoors or can be direct-sown outdoors after frost. The plant tolerates a range of soil conditions, requires only moderate watering once established, and needs minimal training. Its natural bushy growth and self-supporting structure make it far simpler than many herbs.

Can you grow Ellagance Purple in containers?▼

Yes, Ellagance Purple grows well in containers. Use a 12-inch pot with well-draining potting mix and ensure 4-6 hours of direct sun daily. Container plants may dry out faster than in-ground plantings, so check soil moisture regularly—the soil should be moist but never waterlogged. Containerized plants are slightly more productive if given a balanced fertilizer every 3-4 weeks.

What does Ellagance Purple taste like and how do you use the flowers?▼

Ellagance Purple flowers have a distinctly sweet, floral flavor with subtle herbal notes. The flavor pairs beautifully with citrus, berries, nuts, mint, and cinnamon. Use fresh flowers as garnish on desserts, cakes, and pastries for visual impact and delicate flavor. They also work in baked goods, infused sugars, herbal teas, and as a sophisticated edible accent to cheese boards and cocktails.

Is Ellagance Purple winter hardy?▼

Ellagance Purple is winter hardy in Zones 5-7. In these regions, heavily mulched plants may return in spring, though most gardeners treat it as an annual or replant yearly for consistent vigor. In Zones 4 and colder, treat it as an annual. In Zones 8 and warmer, performance declines due to heat and humidity stress; it's not reliably winter hardy beyond Zone 7.

What's the difference between Ellagance Purple and other edible flower varieties?▼

Ellagance Purple's key differentiator is reliable first-year flowering from seed with no vegetative delay. Many competitor varieties take 2+ years to produce significant flowers. Ellagance Purple was also bred for uniformity and consistency (FleuroSelect Gold Award), ensuring seed lots perform predictably. Its sweet, floral flavor is more sophisticated than some ornamental flowers, making it genuinely useful in the kitchen beyond mere decoration.