Spanish Lavender

Lavandula Stoechas

Spanish Lavender (lavandula stoechas) is one of the most commonly seen lavenders in the suburbs near my home.

Readily Grown in the West

Although this is seen as a “weed” in some parts of eastern Australia; here in the west we readily grow them in our gardens and what a lovely sight to behold.  Even though they are not native to Australia; they grow here without too much trouble.

Purple Flowers With Purple Bracts

These purple flowers with distinctive dark purple bracts that look like “elongated ears” poking up from the flower bud; truly make a lovely show in any garden.

They will flower for about 6 months of the year here, from late winter through to our warm summer months.  However in other areas the flowering is shorter; from spring through to summer.

Grows Well in Containers, as Hedges or in Flower Beds

These Spanish lavenders will grow equally in pots on the patio, containers on balconies or in your garden as a hedge or planted out in flower beds.

In cooler climates it is a good idea to grow these lavenders in containers, so that they can be moved when winter sets in.  They love a sunny wall to lean against and to be sheltered from the wind.

Originally from Mediterranean Region

Free draining soil is always preferred for lavenders and they do not like to be overwatered.  As lavandula stoechas originates from the Mediterranean region; with a similar climate here in Western Australia they truly thrive.

In cooler climates they will need more tender care, but with the right gardening conditions you can still have success.

Great Companion Plant

They are a great companion with most plants; therefore the  lovely lavender is a must in any organic gardener’s plans-especially if growing vegies.

They attract many friendly insects that will keep down the pests that may decide to make a meal of your delicious organic vegies!

Bees and butterflies are two that come to mind; that you will see on your lavenders especially when they  are flowering.

Perfume Easily Recognised

The perfume of the stoechas is easily discerned and a lovely strong fragrance wafts across my path as I pass them on my walks.  In fact I spotted a lovely flowering Spanish lavender bush yesterday when out shopping and decided that’s where I’d walk today;  just to enjoy their colour and their fragrance.

Used In Lavender Products

Although it yields higher amounts of essential oil than that of lavandula angustifolia; it is not of such a high quality.  However it may still be used in potpourri, soaps and perfumes especially in France.

Lavender Honey

The French and Spanish produce honey from their lavenders and it is highly sought after there.  Wow it just keeps getting better and better the more I learn about these aromatic herbs.

Red Lavenders … what next?

As I researched this lavender species; I also discovered that lavandula stoechas is also available not only in its distinctive deep lavender colour, but there are also white stoechas and even one now in red!

A red lavender … that could be an interesting focal point of any lavender garden.

Such choices further enhance its attractiveness and I’ll be looking out for these varieties now that I know about them.

Choosing Spanish Lavender for Your Garden

Spanish Lavender is also a beautiful addition in any landscaping you may be contemplating. Whatever your plans for your lavenders; enjoy them and their many uses.

Related Articles:
Tips on Growing Lavenders
Growing Lavenders in Containers
Growing White Lavenders
Aromatic Herb or Noxious Weed
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Tagged as: blue lavender, favourite lavender, lavandula stoechas, Lavenders, red lavender, Spanish lavender, white lavender

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