Lavandula angustifolia 'Melissa' Lavender

Lavandula angustifolia ‘Melissa’ is a truly charming English lavender, cherished for its soft pink and creamy-white flowers that bloom together on airy, graceful flower spikes. Subtle and elegant, this cultivar brings a lighter, more romantic feel to the garden while offering one of the mildest, most delicate lavender flavors available—making it a favorite for culinary use.

Unlike darker purple varieties, ‘Melissa’ produces a gentle floral aroma and flavor, ideal for baking, teas, syrups, and herbal blends where a softer lavender note is desired. Its compact, well-shaped habit makes it equally beautiful in garden borders, herb gardens, and containers.

This is an excellent choice for gardeners who want a refined, edible lavender that performs reliably in the landscape while offering something a little different in color and taste.

Plant Highlights

• Unique pink and white bicolor flowers
• Exceptionally mild, delicate culinary flavor
• Compact English lavender with an airy bloom habit
• Beautiful in herb gardens, borders, and containers
• Flowers dry well for light-colored sachets and crafts

Plant Details

• Plant Type: Evergreen shrub
• Height x Width: ~1½-2ft. x 2½-3ft.
• Flower Color: Soft pink and creamy white
• Bloom Season: Early to mid-summer
• USDA Zones: 5–9
• Sun Exposure: Full sun
• Soil Needs: Well-draining soil

Best Uses

• Culinary lavender (baking, teas, syrups, desserts)
• Herb gardens
• Containers and raised beds
• Soft, romantic landscape plantings
• Dried flowers and sachets

Who This Lavender Is Best For

Lavandula angustifolia ‘Melissa’ is an excellent choice if you:

• Love soft, romantic colors and want a pink-toned English lavender rather than deep purple
• Cook or bake with lavender and prefer a mild, delicate flavor that won’t overpower recipes
• Enjoy making teas, syrups, desserts, or herbal blends with edible flowers
• Want a compact lavender that fits beautifully into herb gardens, borders, or containers
• Are planting with pollinators in mind and enjoy watching bees visit your garden

This variety is especially well suited for home gardeners and culinary enthusiasts who want a lavender that is both beautiful and practical.

If you’ve tried culinary lavender before and found the flavor too strong, ‘Melissa’ is often the variety that changes minds.