What Is Spanish Lavender?

Flowers

• The flower heads resemble a small pineapple or pinecone. They are dark in color, and you may notice rows of little golden dots of pollen. Short, upright sprigs bearing light, lavender-colored flowers grow from the top of the flower head; these sprigs are often called rabbit ears. Flowers bloom in early summer in most climates; in mild climates they may bloom in mid-spring, with additional flushes of flowers in summer and fall. You might find occasional blossoms throughout the year except in the coldest winter months.

Plants and Foliage

• Sporting soft, gray-green leaves with a fuzzy texture, Spanish lavender grows like a shrub, reaching a height of 36 inches. The foliage is slightly serrated near the top of the plant and distinctly toothed near the bottom. Curling along the edges makes the leaves look like thick needles. Spanish lavender is susceptible to powdery mildew, so keep the foliage as dry as possible.

Culture

• Spanish lavender isn’t as hardy as English lavender and only survives winters in U.S. Department of Agriculture Zones 9 to 11. Some seed and plant catalogs list Spanish lavender for lower zones; however, the plant is killed to the ground if frost sits on the stems too long, and it may not regrow. The plants withstand hot, dry weather but look their best with regular watering. Avoid overhead watering, which saturates the heavy flower heads with water, causing the plants to fall over. Pruning back by as much as half after the main flush of flowers in summer will encourage stronger stems. Avoid cutting into the older, woody parts of the plant. The plants don’t need an especially rich soil, but good drainage is essential.

Uses

• Crafters use the dried flowers buds and heads in sachets and potpourris, and sprigs of Spanish lavender add a casual charm to everlasting arrangements. In the landscape, Spanish lavender looks best planted in masses. It makes a good roadside planting because it tolerates the hot, dry conditions found near paved areas. It is well-suited to use as a ground cover or short hedge. The flowers attract bees and butterflies to the garden.