Lavandula stoechas (30/06/2013, Walworth London)
Position: Full sun
Flowering period: Summer
Soil: Moist, well drained
Eventual Height: 60cm
Eventual Spread: 60cm
Hardiness: 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b
Family: Lamiaceae
Lavandula stoechas is an evergreen shrub with a bushy habit . Its grey/ green leaves are up to 4cm long. Its pink/ purple flowers appear on leafless stems above its leaves.
Lavandula stoechas, commonly known as French Lavender or Spanish Lavender, is native to the Mediterranean region. In its native habitat it grows in hot dry locations. This plant is considered to be a invasive species in Australia.
The etymological root of the binomial name Lavandula is from the ancient Latin name for Lavender plant. Stoechas is derived from the name ‘Stoichades’, a name given by Dioscorides’ to Lavender grown on the Iles d’Hy`eres, Toulon.
The landscape architect may find Lavandula stoechas useful as an attractive aromatic low growing ground cover in hot dry locations. Once established this plant is drought tolerant. This shrub is not attractive to deer and rabbits.
Lavandula stoechas Flower (30/06/2013, Walworth London)
Ecologically, Lavandula stoechas flowers are very attractive to pollinating insects.
The Royal Horticultural Society has given the variety Lavandula stoechas ‘Willow Vale’ their prestigious Award of Garden Merit in 2002.
Lavandula stoechas prefers moist, fertile, well-drained soils. It tolerates most pH of soil. It will not tolerate wet soils.
Lavandula stoechas requires little maintenance. To keep a tidy appearance flower stalks may be removed once dead.
