Spanish lavender

Description

Spanish Lavender (Lavandula stoechas) – Growing Conditions

Description:

Spanish Lavender, known for its showy, upright flower spikes topped with “butterfly-like” bracts, is a striking addition to any garden. With its silvery foliage and aromatic blooms, this drought-tolerant plant thrives in Mediterranean-style gardens, borders, and containers. Its vibrant purple, pink, or white flowers bloom from spring to summer, attracting sugarbirds, bees, and butterflies.

Growing Conditions:

• Sunlight: Requires full sun for at least 6–8 hours a day to produce abundant blooms.
• Soil: Prefers well-drained, sandy, or gravelly soil with a slightly alkaline pH (6.5–8.0). Avoid heavy, clay-based soils.
• Watering: Drought-tolerant once established but needs regular watering during the first growing season. Allow soil to dry between waterings.
• Temperature: Hardy in zones 6–9. Thrives in warm, dry climates and tolerates light frost but dislikes humidity.
• Fertilizer: Requires minimal feeding. Apply a light, balanced fertilizer in early spring if the soil is poor. Over-fertilizing can reduce flowering.
• Pruning: Trim spent flower spikes after blooming to encourage a second flush. Cut back lightly in late summer to maintain shape but avoid cutting into woody stems.
• Spacing: Space plants 30–60 cm apart to ensure good air circulation and prevent fungal issues.
• Propagation: Best propagated through cuttings in late spring or early summer for true-to-type plants.

Special Features:

• Highly aromatic foliage and flowers.
• Ideal for low-water and coastal gardens.
• Naturally repels pests like mosquitos and attracts pollinators.

Spanish Lavender brings effortless beauty and fragrance to gardens, making it a favorite for low-maintenance landscaping. Perfect for sunny spots and creating a Mediterranean ambiance!