Anouk Spanish Lavender

Anouk Spanish Lavender (Lavandula stoechas 'Anouk')

Anouk Spanish Lavender, Lavandula stoechas 'Anouk', is a compact, sun loving Spanish lavender prized for its deep purple flower spikes topped with bright, rabbit ear bracts and strongly fragrant gray green foliage. Plants form a tight, rounded mound that fits neatly along paths, at the front of borders, and in containers, bringing rich color and classic lavender scent into smaller spaces. Bold, upright blooms rise above the foliage in late spring and early summer, attracting pollinators and creating a clear focal point wherever you need a refined accent in full sun.

Distinctive Features

Anouk Spanish Lavender typically grows about 12 to 18 inches tall and 12 to 18 inches wide, forming a naturally compact, rounded clump that stays tidy with light pruning. Flower spikes are thick and richly colored, with dark purple heads capped by showy, lighter bracts that flutter in the breeze and give each bloom a distinctive silhouette. Narrow, gray green leaves provide fine texture and a silvery cast that looks attractive even after the main flush of flowers has passed. The combination of strong flower color, fragrance, and space saving form makes this variety especially useful for edging, low hedging, and decorative containers.

Growing Conditions

• Light: Prefers full sun with at least 6 hours of direct light daily for best flowering, compact growth, and strong fragrance.
• Soil: Thrives in well drained, lean to average soils; avoid heavy, waterlogged ground and favor sandy or gravelly conditions that keep roots on the dry side.
• Water: Water regularly after planting to establish; once rooted in, water deeply but infrequently, allowing the top of the soil to dry between waterings.
• Hardiness: Best suited to mild climates where Spanish lavender is hardy, performing well in warmer temperate zones with excellent drainage.
• Size: Forms a compact mound about 12 to 18 inches tall and 12 to 18 inches wide at maturity, depending on climate and care.
• Growth Rate: Moderate grower that fills in steadily without quickly outgrowing containers or narrow border spaces.

Ideal Uses

• Front of Border Accent: Plant along paths, near steps, or at the front of beds where the distinctive blooms and fragrance create a natural focal point.
• Containers and Patio Pots: Excellent in clay pots, urns, and mixed planters where the compact mound and upright flower spikes add height, scent, and color.
• Mediterranean and Gravel Gardens: Perfect for dry, sunny plantings with stone, gravel, and other drought tolerant companions.
• Herb and Scent Gardens: Use near seating areas, entries, and walkways so aromatic foliage and blooms can be brushed and enjoyed.
• Pollinator Friendly Plantings: Flowers attract bees and other beneficial insects, supporting a healthy garden ecosystem in sunny spaces.

Low Maintenance Care

• Watering: After establishment, water when the top inch of soil is dry; avoid constant moisture or soggy conditions that can lead to root problems.
• Pruning: Shear lightly after the main flush of bloom to remove spent spikes and encourage a dense mound and possible rebloom; avoid cutting back into old, woody stems below the leafy growth.
• Fertilizing: Requires only light feeding; in spring, apply a small amount of balanced, slow release fertilizer if soil is very lean, since excessive nutrients can cause soft, floppy growth.
• Mulching: Use a thin layer of gravel or coarse mulch around the base to improve drainage and keep foliage off wet soil, avoiding heavy organic mulches against the stems.
• Seasonal Care: In colder climates, provide sharp drainage and a sheltered, sunny spot; in milder regions, tidy lightly in late winter to remove any winter damage and keep the mound compact.

Why Choose Anouk Spanish Lavender?

• Rich Flower Color: Deep purple flower spikes with showy bracts deliver strong color and a distinctive look in beds and containers.
• Compact, Tidy Habit: Naturally rounded mound stays neat and easy to manage in small gardens, narrow borders, and patio pots.
• Aromatic Foliage: Fragrant gray green leaves add soothing scent and soft texture to paths, patios, and outdoor seating areas.
• Sun and Heat Tolerant: Performs well in hot, bright exposures when planted in well drained soil or raised beds.
• Versatile Design Use: Works as edging, in mixed borders, in herb and cutting gardens, or as a focal point in containers wherever you want distinctive Spanish lavender style and fragrance in a compact form.

With its compact habit, richly colored flower spikes topped with showy bracts, and fragrant gray green foliage, Anouk Spanish Lavender is an excellent choice for adding texture, scent, and a refined focal point to sunny borders, pathways, and containers.