Spanish Lavender

Spanish Lavender (Lavandula stoechas)

Spanish Lavender, Lavandula stoechas, is a compact, sun loving lavender known for its distinctive rabbit ear flower bracts and fragrant gray green foliage. Plump flower heads are topped with colorful, petal like bracts that flutter in the breeze, giving each stem a lively, textural look that stands out in the garden and in containers. Plants form a tidy mound that works beautifully along paths and around patios where the scent can be enjoyed, creating a soft focal point in Mediterranean, cottage, and modern landscapes.

Distinctive Features

Spanish Lavender typically grows about 12 to 24 inches tall and 12 to 24 inches wide, forming a compact, rounded clump that stays dense with light pruning. Upright stems carry cylindrical flower spikes in shades that range from soft to deeper purple tones, capped by showy bracts that give the flowers their signature look. Narrow, gray green leaves provide fine texture and a silvery cast that helps the plant stand out even between flushes of bloom. The combination of fragrant foliage, distinctive flower form, and modest size makes this species especially useful for containers, border fronts, and high visibility spots.

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; avoids heavy, waterlogged ground and benefits from 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, often comparable to warmer temperate zones when provided with excellent drainage.
• Size: Forms a compact mound about 12 to 24 inches tall and 12 to 24 inches wide at maturity, depending on climate and care.
• Growth Rate: Moderate grower that fills in steadily without quickly outgrowing containers or tight 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, troughs, and mixed planters where the compact mound and upright flowers add height, scent, and texture.
• 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.

Low Maintenance Care

• Watering: After establishment, water deeply 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 fuller shape and possible rebloom; avoid cutting into old, woody stems.
• Fertilizing: Requires only light feeding; in spring, apply a small amount of balanced, slow release fertilizer if soil is very lean, as excessive nutrients can lead to 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 Spanish Lavender?

• Signature Flower Form: Rabbit ear bracts over plump flower spikes give a distinctive look that sets Spanish lavender apart from other species.
• Fragrant Foliage: Aromatic gray green leaves add a strong sensory element to paths, patios, and outdoor seating areas.
• Compact, Versatile Habit: Space saving mound fits neatly into containers, border fronts, and small garden spaces.
• Sun and Heat Tolerant: Performs well in hot, bright exposures when planted in well drained soil or containers.
• Design Friendly Color and Texture: Soft purple blooms and silvery foliage pair easily with a wide range of color palettes and garden styles.

With its compact size, fragrant gray green foliage, and distinctive flower spikes topped with showy bracts, Spanish Lavender is an excellent choice for adding texture, scent, and a refined focal point to sunny borders, containers, and Mediterranean inspired gardens.