Lavandula × allardii 'Meerlo' 

Lavandula ‘Meerlo’ in September 2019 at UC Davis. Performance on all treatments was excellent at both sites. Photo: SK Reid.

Summary

Lavandula ‘Meerlo’ is a small shrub with aromatic foliage possessing creamy yellow variegated leaf margins making it a lovely foliage contrast in the field. ‘Meerlo’ performed well and was popular with open house participants in both Davis and South Coast REC. In Davis, participants enjoyed the compact shape, colors, and scent. Typically this cultivar is not grown for its blooms, but at South Coast REC we were surprised to discover that ‘Meerlo’ can be quite floriferous, especially when compared to the very few blooms observed in Davis. ‘Meerlo’ was the #1 favorite plant of participants at the spring, summer, and fall open house events at South Coast REC and the highest rated plant based on overall appearance at each event. At UC Davis it was in the top three highly rated plants on overall appearance at the summer and fall events. In the fall it ranked #1 as the plant most were likely to use professionally.

            Likely due to the longer growing season, plants at South Coast REC attained a greater height and width than those at UC Davis, though relative growth rates were similar between sites. At each site no differences were observed between the high, moderate, and low treatments in either relative plant growth index data or quality ratings. As a result we recommend ‘Meerlo’ be irrigated on low water in WUCOLS zones 2 and 3.

Basic Info

Growth and Quality Data

Lavandula ‘Meerlo’ displaying its tidy form and striking color contrast at South Coast REC at the September 2019 Open House. Photo: SK Reid.