This shrub has upright slender branches that form a compact rounded habit. It has narrow grey green soft texture aromatic leaves and the small tube-shaped purple flowers appear in a raceme high above the foliage from spring to early summer.

Hardiness zones 7 to 10

Lavandula stoechas is naturally found from southern Europe to northern Africa growing in well-drained, drier soils that are neutral tending alkaline with a pH range from 6.5 to 8.5 and prefers an open sunny position. It is frost and drought tender but salt tolerant and dislikes wet conditions.

Italian Lavender is grown for its flowers and scented foliage. It is planted in small or cottage gardens along borders or used as a low hedge. It is also grown in containers and used for foliage contrast establishing in 1 to 2 years but is short lived. It is suitable for coastal and inland regions and planted in herb gardens or rockeries and the flowers are cut and dried for potpourri. It naturalises in some countries and has become a weed problem. ID 167

Lavandula (la-van-DEW-la) stoechas (STOY-kas)

‘Lavandula’: from Latin lavare - to wash (refers to the use of lavender oils in toiletries); ‘stoechas’: from the Stoechas Islands - now the Iles d’Hyeres - off the coast of southern France.

Lamiaceae (lay-mee-AY-see-ee) 
(Labiatae)
Mint Family