Spanish lavender forms a compact, dense shrub to about 2ft x 3ft with grayish-green 1in long leaves. This lavender is hardy to about 15°F. The fragrance of this species is kind of between a true lavender

Is Spanish lavender fragrant?

Native to the Mediterranean region and North Africa, Spanish Lavender seems to be a more suitable lavender choice for those who garden in hot humid climates. The antiseptic, piney fragrance of Spanish Lavender makes it an exceptionally fragrant landscape plant but not the first choice for use in cooking.

Which variety of lavender is most fragrant?

The most fragrant Lavender plants are the Lavandin (Lavandula x intermedia). Several cultivars of English Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) are also prized for their delightful scent.

What is the difference between lavender and Spanish lavender?

Spanish lavender is distinguished from other lavenders by its unusual flower blossoms. It produces an abundance of rich dark purple pine-cone shaped flowers that have dark-purple bracts, or “rabbit ears.” Spanish lavender has strong stems with smooth, light-green foliage and performs best in full sun.

How long does Spanish lavender last?

Spanish lavender has the shortest lifespan of the three types: About five years. The third type include lavender crosses or lavedins, lavandula X intermedia. Popular varieties include Grosso and Provence.

Is Spanish lavender toxic to dogs?

Key Takeaways. Lavender contains a small amount of linalool, which is toxic to dogs and cats. Mild exposure to lavender is not generally harmful and may help with anxiety, depression, and stress. Lavender poisoning is possible and may cause vomiting, reduced appetite, and other symptoms.

What is Spanish lavender used for?

Spanish lavender is often used in cooking. Its essential oils can also be harvested for soaps, perfumes and lotions, according to the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture.

Is Spanish lavender invasive?

Spanish lavender thrives in sunny dry places and is actually considered an invasive weed in parts of Australia. It is a fantastic potted flowering plant that makes an excellent addition to container gardens or borders and is hardy to Zone 8. This species is also sometimes known as French or Italian lavender.

What does Spanish lavender smell like?

Spanish lavender forms a compact, dense shrub to about 2ft x 3ft with grayish-green 1in long leaves. This lavender is hardy to about 15°F. The fragrance of this species is kind of between a true lavender scent and a pungent rosemary fragrance.

Why does my lavender plant not smell?

The reason lavenders do not smell is usually to do with a lack of sunlight or soil that is too fertile. The less sun a lavender receives, the less flowers and oils will be produced which ultimately limits the lavenders smell. Lavenders need full sun and low to medium fertility soils to produce the best fragrance.

Article first time published on

Is Spanish lavender a perennial?

Spanish Lavender (Lavandula stoechas) are long-blooming and fragrant perennial plants. A favorite with butterflies, Spanish Lavender (sometimes known as French Lavender) is distinguished by its unique, tufted blooms. … Lavandula stoechas thrives in heat and is considered a drought resistant (xeric) perennial.

What is the prettiest lavender?

The highly fragrant French lavender (Lavandula stoechas, 1-3′) has some of the showiest flowers of all the lavenders. The Mediterranean native was grown by the Romans for its exceptional scent, and its ability to thrive in hot and dry conditions. It is a bit hardier, surviving to USDA Hardiness Zones 7-10.

How tall does Spanish lavender grow?

The Spanish lavender is the most colorful of the garden lavenders. It grows as a rounded shrub 24-30 in. high, and 2-3 ft. wide.

Does Spanish lavender survive winter?

English lavender species are hardy, so can survive outdoors throughout winter and tolerate frost. Whereas Spanish, French and Italian lavenders are not frost tolerant and will need to be transferred to pots and taken indoors over winter, if they’re in a climate that receives regular frosts.

How do you maintain Spanish lavender?

To encourage blooming, plant Spanish lavender in full sunshine. Deadhead spent blooms throughout the year and prune twice a year. The first pruning should be done after the first flush of blooms. Remove about one-third of that year’s growth to encourage a second flush of blooms.

Does Spanish lavender bloom all summer?

Alternatively, you can simply choose a variety of Lavender which blooms almost continuously from spring to summer’s end. Fitting this description are Lavandula stoechas cultivars (Spanish Lavender), which produce several full flushes of flowers during the growing season, provided their flowers are cut after each flush.

Can Spanish lavender grow indoors?

With the right light and care, it is possible to grow lavender indoors. … In most situations, lavender should be grown outdoors. Even in coldest regions where lavender isn’t hardy, it’s best to keep growing lavender indoors as a fall-back position, something you do in winter when plants can’t be outdoors.

How do you take care of Spanish lavender indoors?

Position near a window that gets at least 3-4 hours of bright direct sunlight per day and grow in well draining soil to keep your indoor lavender plant healthy. Water once the top inch of soil dries out, fertilize twice per year and provide low humidity and moderate temperatures.

Is lavender safe for cats to smell?

A few common essential oils that are SAFE to use for your cat include lavender, copaiba, helichrysum, and frankincense. If you diffuse oils in your home, it should not cause a problem for your cat, as oil used in a diffuser is highly diluted (versus direct topical application or dietary supplementation).

Where is the best place to plant lavender?

When & Where to Plant Lavender Light: Lavender needs full sun and well-drained soil to grow best. In hot summer climates, afternoon shade may help them thrive. Soil: Lavender grows best in low to moderately-fertile soils, so don’t amend the soil with organic matter before planting.

Is lavender smell toxic to cats?

A. Many essential oils — including lavender oil — are toxic to cats and should never be given to cats orally or applied topically, in my opinion. These products can be rapidly absorbed through the digestive tract or through the skin, and then travel to the liver where they are metabolized.

What plant has the strongest fragrance?

Night Blooming Jasmine The plant surely has the most powerful fragrance and what makes it different from the other ones is its nature to bloom in the night, wafting the intoxicating aroma in the air.

Do all lavender plants smell?

Not all Lavenders are highly scented. Some varieties are wonderful as accent plants, but have little fragrance. Others might not look as spectacular, but exude a rich perfume. Among the most fragrant Lavenders are several cultivars of English Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia).

Does lavender plant smell good?

Plant those varieties of Lavender known for their strong fragrance. … Others might not look as spectacular, but exude a rich perfume. The most fragrant Lavender plants are the Lavandin (Lavandula x Intermedia). Several cultivars of English Lavender (Lavandula Angustifolia) are also prized for their delightful scent.

How far apart should Spanish lavender be planted?

Mature plants are bushy and 1 1/2 to 3 feet tall, so space them about 18 to 24 inches apart to give plants room to fill out without crowding. Spanish lavender grows in a container, but choose one that has one or more drainage holes, and never leave the saucer filled with water.

Should Spanish lavender be deadheaded?

For example, Spanish lavender (​Lavandula stoechas​) may bloom up to three different times throughout the year, so deadhead it regularly. … Deadheading them won’t cause more blooms in the fall unless you grow a variety like ​Lavandula angustifolia​ ‘Sharon Roberts.

How long does lavender smell last?

Most lavender will keep a very strong fragrance for an entire season when dried, but when you store and care for it correctly you can extend that life upwards of 10 years.

Can you dry Spanish lavender?

The most simple way to dry fresh lavender is to let it hang dry. Collect handful-size bouquets, secure the stems together with twine or a rubber band, and hang them upside down to passively dry. If you harvested a lot of lavender at once, it is best to create and hang several small bunches rather than one large one.

What part of the lavender plant smells?

The flower head is made up of multiple of tiny flowers. Lavender plants bloom in summer in white, purple, blue and lavender colors, depending on the variety. The aromatic flowers are dried or distilled to extract the scent.

Are Spanish and French lavender the same?

Lavandula stoechas also called French Lavender, Spanish Lavender or Butterfly Lavender is recognizable by the conspicuous sterile bracts resembling extravagant ears, on top of the short dense inflorescence. Grown for its silvery aromatic leaves, it is used extensively for essential oils or potpourris.

Which is the hardiest lavender?

English lavenders, always listed under L. angustifolia, are the hardiest of all – and the longest lived. A correctly pruned lavender of this type will look lovely and vigorous twenty years on, but will then need replacing.