White Alba Lavender Plant - Live Lavandula angustifolia Alba Herb for Garden

White Alba English Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia 'Alba')

Discover the rare elegance of White Alba Lavender — a stunning white-flowering English lavender that brings a unique, sophisticated contrast to any garden. While most lavender blooms in shades of purple and blue, Alba stands apart with its pure white flower spikes rising above fragrant silvery-green foliage. A must-have for white gardens, cottage gardens, and anyone looking for something truly special.

🌿 Plant Highlights

• Pure White Blooms: Elegant snow-white flower spikes create a striking contrast against the silvery grey-green foliage — stunning on its own or paired with purple lavender varieties for a dramatic two-tone display.
• Highly Fragrant: Both the flowers and foliage carry the classic English lavender scent — sweet, calming, and perfect for sachets, potpourris, and culinary use.
• Symmetrical Form: Grows into a beautiful, rounded mound 20–24 inches tall and 18 inches wide, with flower spikes rising above the foliage.
• Long Bloom Season: Flowers from June through September, attracting butterflies, honeybees, mason bees, and hummingbirds all season long.
• Evergreen Foliage: Narrow, aromatic grey-green leaves provide year-round texture and interest in mild climates.

🦌 Tough & Low-Maintenance

• Deer & Rabbit Resistant — the strong essential oils in leaves and flowers naturally repel foraging animals
• Drought Tolerant — thrives in dry conditions once established, perfect for water-wise gardens
• Pest Resistant — essential oils deter most insect pests naturally
• Tolerates: Shallow/rocky soil, urban conditions, dry soil, poor soil, heat
• Hardy: USDA Zones 5–9

☀️ Complete Growing Guide

• Sun: Full sun (6–8 hours daily) — the more sun, the more flowers and stronger fragrance. Afternoon shade may be appreciated in the hottest climates.
• Water: Dry to medium — water deeply but infrequently. Allow soil to dry between waterings. Overwatering is the most common mistake with lavender.
• Soil: Well-drained, slightly alkaline soil preferred (pH 6.5–7.5). Sandy, rocky, or gravelly soil is ideal. Avoid heavy clay or waterlogged areas. Consider raised beds if your soil is heavy.
• Spacing: Plant 18–24 inches apart for individual plants, 12–15 inches for a hedge effect.
• Mulch Tip: Use gravel, pea stone, or rock mulch instead of organic mulch to improve drainage and reduce humidity around the crown.
• Fertilizer: Lavender prefers lean soil — avoid heavy fertilization. A light application of all-purpose fertilizer in early spring is sufficient. Too much nitrogen produces leggy growth with fewer flowers.
• Pruning: Remove faded flowers to encourage a second flush of blooms. Shape plants in spring after new growth appears. Cut back by one-third every 3 years to maintain vigor. Never cut into old, woody growth.
• Winter Care: Ensure well-drained soil in winter — root rot is the #1 killer. In Zones 5–6, provide a sheltered location and light winter mulch. Leave plants alone through winter; prune only in spring.
• Container Growing: Excellent in pots! Use a terracotta pot with drainage holes and a gritty, fast-draining potting mix. Add perlite or coarse sand to standard potting soil.

🌱 Planting Instructions

1. When to Plant: Spring (after last frost) or early fall. Avoid planting in summer heat or winter cold.
2. Prepare the Site: Choose a sunny, well-drained spot. Amend heavy soil with sand or gravel to improve drainage.
3. Dig the Hole: Make it twice the width of the pot and the same depth. Do not plant too deep — the crown should sit at or slightly above soil level.
4. Remove from Pot: Gently loosen the root ball if roots are circling.
5. Plant & Backfill: Place in the hole, fill with soil, and press firmly. Water deeply once after planting.
6. First 2 Weeks: Water every 2–3 days to help establish roots. Then reduce to once per week or less.

💐 Uses & Ideas

• White Gardens: A perfect anchor for an all-white or moonlight garden — pairs beautifully with white roses, gardenias, and white salvia
• Contrast Planting: Plant alongside purple lavender varieties (Hidcote, Royal Velvet, Grosso) for a stunning purple-and-white display
• Garden Design: Perennial borders, rock gardens, herb gardens, scented gardens, cottage gardens, Mediterranean gardens
• Edging & Hedging: Beautiful low hedge along pathways, driveways, or garden beds — the white blooms glow in evening light
• Containers & Patios: Thrives in pots on patios, balconies, and porches — brings fragrance and elegance to outdoor living spaces
• Culinary: English lavender (L. angustifolia) is the preferred species for cooking — use flower buds in baked goods, herbal teas, lemonade, honey infusions, ice cream, and Herbs de Provence
• Crafts & DIY: Dry white flowers for sachets, potpourris, wreaths, bouquets, lavender wands, and eye pillows — white dried lavender is especially popular for weddings
• Aromatherapy: Natural calming fragrance. Use dried buds in pillows, drawers, and closets. Make infused oils for relaxation.
• Pollinator Support: A magnet for butterflies, honeybees, mason bees, carpenter bees, bumble bees, and hummingbirds — essential for pollinator gardens
• Companion Planting: Plant near roses, vegetables, or fruit trees to repel aphids, fleas, and moths naturally
• Wedding & Events: White lavender bundles make elegant, fragrant centerpieces, bouquets, boutonnieres, and wedding favors

🐝 Companion Plants

White Alba pairs beautifully with: Roses, Purple Lavender varieties, Salvia, Echinacea, Catmint, Yarrow, Russian Sage, Thyme, Rosemary, Oregano, Ornamental Grasses, Santolina, Artemisia, and other Mediterranean herbs and silver-foliaged plants.

📦 Shipping & Care on Arrival

• Plants ship in nursery pots, carefully packaged to prevent damage during transit.
• Some leaf yellowing or wilting during shipping is normal — plants recover quickly once planted.
• Upon Arrival: Open the box immediately. Water lightly and place in a sunny spot. Plant outdoors within 1–2 days for best results.
• If outdoor conditions are not suitable (frost, extreme heat), keep in a bright indoor location until ready to plant.
• First-year plants may produce light blooms. Full flowering typically begins in the second growing season.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

What makes White Alba different from other lavenders?
White Alba produces pure white flowers instead of the typical purple/blue. It has the same wonderful fragrance and growing requirements as other English lavenders but offers a unique, elegant look that's perfect for white gardens or mixed with purple varieties.

Can I grow White Alba indoors?
Lavender needs full sun and good air circulation, so it's best grown outdoors. Indoor growing is possible with a very sunny south-facing window, but outdoor planting will always give the best results.

When will my plant bloom?
Established plants bloom June–September. First-year plants may produce light blooms. Full flowering typically begins in the second growing season. Removing spent flowers can encourage a second flush of blooms.

Is White Alba edible?
Yes! English lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) is the preferred species for culinary use. The white flower buds work beautifully in cooking, baking, and teas.

How long do lavender plants live?
With proper care and well-drained soil, lavender plants can thrive for 10–15 years or more. Regular pruning every 3 years extends plant life significantly.

Can I dry the white flowers?
Absolutely! Harvest flower spikes just as blooms begin to open for the strongest scent. Hang upside down in a dark, dry location. White dried lavender is especially popular for wedding crafts and elegant décor.

📋 Quick Reference