Hyptis emoryi

Desert Lavender, Hyptis (Condea) emoryi, is a frost sensitive perennial that grows to 4-8ft tall and 3ft wide with gray foliage. It has blue-lavender flowers with a foliage scent similar to a tangy lavender. The odor is rich and luxurious. Desert lavender is great for hot narrow spaces that need some height. Such as narrow planting area against a hot south facing stucco wall or that narrow area between two hot concrete driveways that you need a hedge in places like Palm Springs. Desert Lavender is important bee plant in the Desert. It likes perfect drainage and a little water after established. It like full sun and can take extreme desert heat and wind. Desert Lavender will freeze to ground on cold winters. It seems to be hardy to about 25 F.. The plant has that slate blue-gray look that seems to be so popular. A wonderful plant to try in a hot sunny flower bed that does not get a lot of water. Remember that it grows in desert washes, not up on the dry hillsides, so a little water. It is not a cactus but grows where you would find a desert willow. (syn Condea emoryi)