Spanish Lavender (Lavandula stoechas)
Spanish Lavender (Lavandula stoechas) is another popular strongly-scented type of lavender. Spanish Lavender is known for its petal-topped flowers (often called “rabbit’s ears”), strong scent, and historic use in lavender oil production, ancient Greek medicine, and in the Four Thieves Vinegar of the Middle Ages. Spanish Lavender is not used for culinary purposes
Spanish Lavender is native to the Mediterranean region including Spain, Portugal, Turkey, and North Africa. Lavandula stoechas is named after the Stoechades Islands (Îles d’Hyères) off the south of France. Spanish Lavender grows well in zones 8-9 with hot, dry summers, where it typically flowers in late spring.
Spanish Lavender plants tend to grow over 3 feet tall. Flower spikes are compact, have a strong fragrance, and are highly attractive to pollinators like butterflies and bees due to the ornamental bracts atop the spikes. Other common names for Spanish Lavender (Lavandula stoechas) include Topped Lavender, Butterfly Lavender, and Italian Lavender.
Spanish Lavender is native to the Mediterranean region including Spain, Portugal, Turkey, and North Africa. Lavandula stoechas is named after the Stoechades Islands (Îles d’Hyères) off the south of France. Spanish Lavender grows well in zones 8-9 with hot, dry summers, where it typically flowers in late spring.
Spanish Lavender plants tend to grow over 3 feet tall. Flower spikes are compact, have a strong fragrance, and are highly attractive to pollinators like butterflies and bees due to the ornamental bracts atop the spikes. Other common names for Spanish Lavender (Lavandula stoechas) include Topped Lavender, Butterfly Lavender, and Italian Lavender.