Lavandula stoechas
French lavender
A bushy, upright evergreen shrub, to 60cm high and 40cm wide. Foliage is aromatic and grey-green. The freely-produced fragrant flowerheads are densely cylindrical, tapering to a blunt tip, crowned by 4 sterile bracts 2.5cm long, give the heads a distinctive appearance. Flowers are very dark purple, calyces rather paler and greyer. Flowers for a long season over spring and summer
Synonyms
Lavandula stoechas 'French'
Size
Ultimate height
0.5–1 metresTime to ultimate height
2–5 yearsUltimate spread
0.5–1 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Well–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Purple | Green Grey Silver | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Purple | Green Grey Silver | ||
| Autumn | Green Grey Silver | |||
| Winter | Green Grey Silver |
Position
- Full sun
Aspect
South–facing or East–facing or West–facing
Exposure
ShelteredDrought resistance
Yes Hardiness
H4Botanical details
- Family
- Lamiaceae
- Native to the UK
- No
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Habit
- Bushy
- Genus
Lavandula are small aromatic evergreen shrubs with usually narrow, simple, entire, toothed or lobed leaves and small tubular flowers in dense spikes in summer
- Name status
Correct
- Plant range
- Mediterranean
How to grow
Cultivation
Grow in any well-drained soil in full sun. See lavender cultivation for further advice
Propagation
Propagate by seed in spring or propagate by semi-ripe cuttings in summer
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- Cottage and informal garden
- Gravel garden
- Patio and container plants
- Wildlife gardens
- Mediterranean climate plants
- City and courtyard gardens
- Coastal
- Rock garden
- Garden edging
- Banks and slopes
- Flower borders and beds
Pruning
Pests
May be susceptible to rosemary beetle and cuckoo spit (froghoppers)
Diseases
High Risk Host for Xylella fastidiosa. May be susceptible to grey moulds (Botrytis) and honey fungus (rarely)
Get involved
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