Lavandula stoechas The Princess ('Ib 910 2'PBR)
French lavender [The Princess]
A compact, mound-forming evergreen shrub with aromatic grey-green foliage and dense spikes of chunky, fragrant dark pink flowers with paler twisted wings, which appear in June to July
Size
Ultimate height
0.5–1 metresTime to ultimate height
2–5 yearsUltimate spread
0.5–1 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Well–drainedpH
Acid, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Grey Silver Green | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Pink | Grey Silver Green | ||
| Autumn | Grey Silver Green | |||
| Winter | Grey Silver Green |
Position
- Full sun
Aspect
South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
ShelteredDrought resistance
Yes Hardiness
H4Botanical details
- Family
- Lamiaceae
- Native to GB / Ireland
- 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
Trade
How to grow
Cultivation
Grow in full sun in well-drained soil; for more advice, see lavender cultivation
Propagation
Propagate by softwood cuttings of new growth in early summer or semi-ripe cuttings in late summer. See our video How to take lavender cuttings for more advice
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- City and courtyard gardens
- Coastal
- Cottage and informal garden
- Gravel garden
- Mediterranean climate plants
- Wildlife gardens
- Flower borders and beds
- Garden edging
Pruning
Pruning group 10; deadhead after flowering. Trimming in late summer prevents plants from becoming straggly, but you can leave plants for a season to benefit wildlife with seeds or as shelter if you prefer. Avoid pruning in autumn in wet or cold regions as this may leave plants vulnerable to winter damage. Avoid cutting back into old wood
Pests
May be susceptible to rosemary beetle, and to cuckoo spit (froghopper or spittle bug nymphs)
Diseases
May be susceptible to grey moulds (Botrytis) and honey fungus (rarely)
Get involved
The RHS is the UK’s gardening charity, helping people and plants to grow - nurturing a healthier, happier world, one person and one plant at a time.
