Easy To Grow – Spanish Lavender
Lavandula stoechas, commonly known as Spanish lavender is a member of about 40 different varieties of lavender. It grows as a low shrub, similar to its relatives, but with a distinct flower shape.
The upright petals of Spanish lavender appear at the top of the flower heads, giving the blooms a rabbit-like appearance.
Spanish lavender comes with pink, purple, or white flowers, depending on the cultivator. These plants have small, gray-green leaves and form a compact, rounded shape.
Spanish lavender is high-temperature forgiving, more than alternative lavender variations. This perennial is deer-immune, but it is also toxic to animals.
Keep that in mind if your pets spend a lot of time unsupervised in your garden.
How to Grow Spanish Lavender From Seed
Spanish lavender can likewise be grown from seed.
These are the 5 steps how to do it:
- Spanish lavender seeds have the most robust outcome when established indoors. Scatter the seeds into well-draining soil in small cups and enclose them softly.
- Have the seeds in a chilly place. Continually monitor the soil, making sure to hold it moist.
- Germination should take place in about 2 weeks.
- Hold the seedlings in a sunny spot.
- When seedlings are significant enough to deal with, relocate them to their pots or plant them in the backyard in the spring.
Potting and Repotting
Spanish lavender thrives particularly well in pots. When determining a correct container, ensure it has numerous drainage holes and empties water effortlessly.
Because a potted plant does not connect to underground water sources, potted lavender will require to be moistened more repeatedly than lavender is grown in the garden.
Water thoroughly and occasionally when the soil appears dry. These plants usually need to be repotted annually.
To do this, lightly tip the pot onto its side and knock around the outside of the pot. This will ease the root structure.
Smoothly slip the lavender out and place it in its fresh pot. Fill the pot with sandy, well-draining soil and put it in a sunny spot.
Common Spanish Lavender Issues
Spanish lavender is a hardy plant that rarely suffers from pests or other problems. On the other hand, Foliage issues can be caused by poor soil or moisture conditions.
Leaves are yellowing, browning, and drooping.
This can be evidence of root rot. Because Spanish lavender requires well-draining soil and little moisture, it is prone to root rot in wet conditions.
Reduce watering if you suspect a plant has root rot. Remove any organic material accumulated around the plant, such as fallen leaves.
The plant should then be gently dug up to review the roots. Next, eliminate any rotting roots with a neat pair of snips.
Next, plant the lavender in a sunny location with well-draining soil. Make sure the plant gets enough airflow.
Few Flowers, Leggy Foliage, and Yellow Foliage
This is an indication of too much nitrogen, which is frequently caused by the over-fertilization of the plant.
Stop fertilizing if this is the case. The lavender should then be removed from the rich soil. Alter the soil with sand and gravel, or relocate the lavender to a pot.
To help the lavender regain its compact shape, prune around one-third of the leggy growth in the spring or fall.
FAQ
What is the main distinction between lavender and Spanish lavender?
The distinctive flowers of Spanish lavender set it apart. Unlike other varieties of lavender (French or English (Lavandula angustifolia), Spanish lavender has long, upright petals at the top of each flower head, giving the flower a pineapple-like appearance or resemblance to rabbit ears.
Is Spanish lavender a year-round plant?
Spanish lavender is a perennial herb that blooms once a year. This perennial flower multiple times during its growing season if appropriately pruned.
Is it necessary to deadhead Spanish lavender?
Deadheading spent blooms encourages Spanish lavender to bloom again. Deadhead your lavender throughout the growing season to keep it looking full and healthy.
More on Lavender Plants
Lavender is a low-maintenance plant once established. Except for occasional watering during dry periods, it can withstand harsh conditions and requires only a once-a-year trim to maintain it neat and encourage abundant new growth.
You should never cut it too profoundly into old wood, as this will kill the plant. Lavender is not bothered by many pests or diseases.
Lavender looks great in the herb garden and pairs exceptionally well with roses, geraniums, and petunias.
It appeals to bees and diverse beneficial insects, representing it as a magnificent plant near your orchard or vegetable garden.
People frequently refer to lavender as French, English, or Spanish, but these names often refer to where the lavender is widely grown rather than any other characteristic. To avoid confusion, it’s best to stick to botanical names or cultivar names.
Lavandula dentata is one of the most widely grown and hardy varieties. The soft grey leaves have rounded indentations along the edges, hence the name ‘dentata.’ The flowers are a lovely smooth violet, and it is instead a tall grower.
Hence, it grows wild in these places; Lavandula stoechas is also known as Spanish, French, and Italian lavender. It is another popular type, and there are numerous hardy varieties available.
Some of the top lavenders for the home garden are bred from L pedunculata. The Sensation and Ruffles series were developed in Australia to be heat and humidity tolerant.
Lavendula augustifolia, also known as English lavender, has narrower leaves and a sweeter aroma with less camphor, making it ideal for culinary use.
Lavender will not be the longest-living plant in your garden, but it will provide you with a lot of pleasure while it is there.
Make tea with the flowers, or use them to flavor ice cream and other desserts. Sachets of leaves and flowers will keep linen fresh and repel insects.
Dress wounds with compresses made from it. Choose pretty posies and hang them in rooms or in your car to freshen the air.
