The crested lavender is a fragrant semi-shrub with dark purple flowers.
The botanical name of the plant is Lavandula stoechas. It belongs to the labiate family and is related to the true lavender. The lavender is not only beautiful, it also brings Provence into your garden with its appearance and wonderful scent. The lavender plant is also known as butterfly lavender. The special feature of this scented shrub is the large purple bracts at the end of the flower stems. This ornamental shrub is a perennial and displays its most beautiful flowers from May to September. The lavender is evergreen. The leaves are needle-shaped to lanceolate and also have an aromatic fragrance. They grow to about four centimetres long and stand close to the shoots.
Blooms, fragrance and bee pasture
The flowers of the lavender are long-stalked and have ovoid heads from which large violet leaves protrude. They have a very aromatic scent. Lavandula stoechas adorns flower beds, terraces, balconies or balcony gardens. The potted lavender looks particularly beautiful in terracotta potted plants. This way you can give your terrace or balcony a Mediterranean flair. The lavender is not only decorative, but also makes a valuable contribution to the local insect world with its nectar-rich flowers. The plant is a true bee pasture and also attracts bumblebees and butterflies.
Growth behaviour and location of Lavandula stoechas
The lavender plant grows horst-like, upright and bushy. It reaches a height of 40 to 50 centimetres. Lavandula stoechas is hardy. Lavender grows best on well-drained, light and even barren soil. Stagnant soil should be avoided at all costs. Like all lavender plants, Lavandula stoechas prefers a sunny, wind-protected and warm location. The potted lavender needs little water. If you buy potted lavender, you can easily integrate it into any garden, whether it is a romantic country house garden or a modern city garden. The lavender is suitable as a ground cover, adorns the rock garden, the perennial garden, the conservatory and is an indispensable part of the fragrance garden. The lavender is a great companion for roses or numerous perennials. Lavender plants look wonderful in a group. Eight to ten plants can be planted per square metre.
Pruning lavender properly
To prevent the lavender from becoming woody, you should prune it back regularly. However, do not cut into the old wood. The best time for pruning is in spring. By pruning, you encourage the crested lavender to sprout new shoots and branch out. This lavender provides magical visual and olfactory accents. You can also use the flowers, fresh or dried, for seasoning in the kitchen.
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