lavender plant turning gray Richard Grey Lavender | Silvery Foliage Lavender

lavender plant turning gray Richard Grey Lavender | Silvery Foliage LavenderIf foliage matters to you as much as flowers, Richard Grey is hard to overlook. Its foliage is soft, silvery, and beautifully dense, forming a neat mound that brings light and texture to the garden all season long. Introduced from England and descended from woolly lavender, this variety has a gentler, more tactile presence than most. In mid summer, thick flower spikes rise on long stems, carrying violet blooms above deep purple calyces. Against the

If foliage matters to you as much as flowers, ‘Richard Grey’ is hard to overlook. Its foliage is soft, silvery, and beautifully dense, forming a neat mound that brings light and texture to the garden all season long. Introduced from England and descended from woolly lavender, this variety has a gentler, more tactile presence than most.

In mid-summer, thick flower spikes rise on long stems, carrying violet blooms above deep purple calyces. Against the pale foliage, the contrast is striking without being loud. The stems cut cleanly for fresh bouquets, and the cool grey tones make this one especially beautiful for dried arrangements, potpourri, and craft work.

Smaller and more refined than ‘Silver Frost,’ ‘Richard Grey’ fits easily into rock gardens, borders, and mixed plantings where shape and texture matter just as much as fragrance. It prefers sun, good drainage, and space to show its natural form—and when given that, it becomes a quietly elegant presence that feels intentional rather than showy.

WHY GARDENERS LOVE IT

• Exceptionally silvery foliage that stands out year-round
• Neat, compact shape
• Long stems for cutting and drying
• Beautiful contrast plant in lavender collections
• Refined alternative to larger silver varieties

HOW IT GROWS

• Plant type: Evergreen shrub
• Sun: Full sun
• Soil: Well-draining soil
• Water: Low once established
• Growth habit: Compact, well-shaped
• Hardiness: USDA Zones 6–9

SIZE & BLOOM

• Height × Width: 2 ft. × 3 ft.
• Stem length: 10–12 inches
• Flower color: Violet
• Calyx: Dark purple
• Bloom time: Mid-summer
• Foliage: Dense, silvery, softly woolly

BEST USES

• Garden borders and beds
• Rock gardens
• Fresh bouquets
• Dried arrangements and potpourri
• Crafts and sachets

HOW TO CHOOSE

Choose ‘Richard Grey’ if you want a lavender that:

• Looks beautiful even when not in bloom
• Brings silver texture to the garden
• Dries especially well
• Stays compact and tidy

This is a lavender for gardeners who love subtle beauty—soft color, strong form, and lasting presence.