French lavender

Lavandula stoechas | Rating: 0 votes | Print / Pdf

Putting the Ooh la la into lavender.

Lavandula stoechas or French lavender can be a tricky plant to grow, best suited to more experienced gardeners. It grows to around half a metre in height and has small dense spikes of purple flowers from the top of which grow bright purple bracts. As is usual for lavenders, this one has a strong lavender fragrance; plant it near a walkway and you'll smell it whenever you walk by. It will grow best in full sun in a sheltered spot with well-drained soil. This lavender variety has been given an RHS Award of Garden Merit. Grey mould can be an issue.

Rate it:
Plant
Known dangers?
  • no
Height [m]
  • 0.6
Spread [m]
  • 0.6
Dominant flower colour
  • Purple
Flower Fragrance
  • Yes, let it smell
Flowering seasons
  • Late spring
  • Early summer
  • Mid summer
  • Late summer
Foliage in spring
  • Grey-green
Foliage in summer
  • Grey-green
Foliage in Autumn
  • Grey-green
Foliage in winter
  • Grey-green
Propagation methods
  • semi-ripe cuttings
  • seed
  • layering
Growth habit
  • Bushy
  • Compact
Environment
Acidity
  • Acidic
  • Neutral
  • Alkaline
Hardiness zone
  • Z8-9
Heat zone
  • H9-8
Winter temperatures [°C]
  • -12 - -1
Heat days
  • 90 - 150
Moisture
  • well-drained
Soil type
  • sandy
  • chalky
  • loams
Sun requirements
  • Full sun
Exposure
  • Sheltered
Usage
Standard category
  • Trees & shrubs
  • Shrubs
Grown for
  • Attractive Flowers
Creative category
  • Kid Approved
  • Fine fragrants
  • For Beginners
  • Colours
  • Show-offs
  • Neighbour repellant
  • For birds & bees
  • Roses & classics
  • For every season
Garden type
  • Cottage garden
  • Rock garden
  • Coastal
  • Containers
  • City
  • Gravel garden
  • Wildlife gardens
Garden spaces
  • Flower beds
  • Hedges and screens
  • Edging
  • Borders
Gardening expertise
  • beginner
Time to reach full size
  • 2 to 5 years
Found a mistake? Let us know
15 Related plants
Lavandula stoechas Kew Red

French lavender 'Kew Red'

PLANTS Lavandula stoechas 'Kew Red'

Lavandula stoechas 'Kew Red' is a small and bushy lavender variety that has unusual and attractive flowers that are red in colour with pink bracts at the top, looking like a small pink winged butterfly has landed on top of the flower head. The flowers and the foliage are scented, the flowers have an especially strong scent making them ideal for drying. It grows to around 50cm in height and works will in a container. It will benefit from a sheltered spot in your garden.