Family: Lamiaceae

Origin, Description & Uses:
Lavandula × intermedia, commonly known as lavandin, is a hybrid of English lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) and spike lavender (Lavandula latifolia), originally developed in Europe. This aromatic, evergreen shrub is valued for its tall flower spikes, silvery-green foliage, and strong, camphor-like fragrance. Lavandin typically grows larger and more vigorously than true lavender, producing abundant purple to violet blooms that attract pollinators such as bees and butterflies. It is widely cultivated for ornamental landscaping, especially in dry, sunny gardens, and is also an important commercial plant used in essential oils, perfumes, soaps, and sachets due to its high oil yield.

Risks & Threats:
Lavandin is considered a low-risk species and is not known to naturalize or become invasive in Hawaiʻi. It generally requires well-drained soils and drier climates, which limits its ability to spread in many tropical environments. There is little evidence of it posing ecological threats, such as outcompeting native vegetation or altering habitats. However, as with any introduced plant, continued observation is recommended to ensure it does not establish outside of cultivation. At this time, lavandin is regarded as a safe and beneficial choice for gardens when properly managed.

High Risk Traits:

• Questionably naturalized in England (but possibly misidentification)
  
• Related Lavandula taxa have become invasive
  
• Unpalatable to grazing animals
  
• Tolerates many soil conditions (and potentially able to exploit many different habitat types)

Low Risk Traits:

• Widely cultivated, No negative impacts have been documented
  
• Unarmed (no spines, thorns or burrs)
  
• Non-toxic
  
• Landscaping and ornamental value
  
• Grown for essential oils
  
• Reportedly sterile hybrid
  
• Requires full sun