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(Lavandula stoechas)
Spanish Lavender (Lavandula stoechas)
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Yves Bas
CC BY 4.0
Image By:
Yves Bas
Recorded By:
Copyright:
CC BY 4.0
Copyright Notice:
Photo by: Yves Bas | License Type: CC BY 4.0 | License URL: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ | Rights Holder: Yves Bas | Publisher: iNaturalist | Date Created: 2021-05-06T10:04:33-07:00 |
Estimated Native Range
Summary
Lavandula stoechas, commonly known as Spanish Lavender, is an evergreen shrub native to the Mediterranean region, particularly found in open woodlands and natural scrub areas. It typically grows to between 30 and 100 cm tall and is recognized by its distinctive inflorescence, which features purple elongated ovoid bracts about 5 cm long, topped with a "rabbit ear" appearance. The lower flowers form a tight spike and are pink to purple, blooming in late spring to early summer. Spanish Lavender is known for its aromatic foliage and showy flowers, which are less frost-resistant than those of common lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) but have a more intense, resinous oil.
Spanish Lavender is valued for its ornamental flowers, aromatic leaves, and ability to attract pollinators such as bees and butterflies. It is commonly used in rock gardens, as a border plant, or in herb gardens for its culinary and medicinal properties. This species requires full sun, low to medium water, and well-drained, alkaline soils. It is hardy down to −10 °C (14 °F) and is suitable for USDA zones 8–10. While it can be short-lived in some conditions, it is generally easy to maintain. However, it is potentially invasive in some regions, so gardeners should check local guidelines before planting.CC BY-SA 4.0
Spanish Lavender is valued for its ornamental flowers, aromatic leaves, and ability to attract pollinators such as bees and butterflies. It is commonly used in rock gardens, as a border plant, or in herb gardens for its culinary and medicinal properties. This species requires full sun, low to medium water, and well-drained, alkaline soils. It is hardy down to −10 °C (14 °F) and is suitable for USDA zones 8–10. While it can be short-lived in some conditions, it is generally easy to maintain. However, it is potentially invasive in some regions, so gardeners should check local guidelines before planting.CC BY-SA 4.0
Plant Description
- Plant Type: Shrub
- Height: 2-2.7 feet
- Width: 2-2.7 feet
- Growth Rate: Moderate
- Flower Color: Purple
- Flowering Season: Spring, Summer
- Leaf Retention: Evergreen
Growth Requirements
- Sun: Full Sun
- Water: Low
- Drainage: Fast
Common Uses
Bee Garden, Bird Garden, Border Plant, Butterfly Garden, Deer Resistant, Drought Tolerant, Fragrant, Groundcover, Hedges, Hummingbird Garden, Potted Plant, Rabbit Resistant, Rock Garden, Showy Flowers, Street Planting
Natural Habitat
Open woodlands and natural scrub areas in the Mediterranean region
Other Names
Common Names: Topped Lavender, French Lavender, Italian Lavender, Wild Lavender, Cantueso, Kuiflavendel, Skärmlavendel
Scientific Names: , Lavandula stoechas, Stoechas officinarum, Lavandula stoechas f. macrostachya, Lavandula stoechas f. microstachya,
GBIF Accepted Name: Lavandula stoechas L.