Description
Spanish lavender is one of about 45 different species of lavender and it grows as a low shrub, 18-36 in. tall, 18-36 in. wide with a distinct flower shape. Spanish lavender has upright petals that grow at the top of the flower heads, and look like purple rabbit ears, or as my son says, looks like butterflies have landed on it! This lavender tolerates heat better than other lavenders and thrives in hot, dry climates. It needs full sun, acidic, well-draining soil, and it cannot tolerate cold temperatures down to 10 or 15 degrees Fahrenheit. Spanish lavender is native to the Mediterranean, where the soil is sandy and low in nutrients. Because of this, Spanish lavender does not require fertilizer and does best without it.
Spanish lavender grows very well in containers. Be sure the pot you plant it in has multiple drainage holes and drains water freely. Like other lavender varieties, pruning twice a year will encourage Spanish lavender to branch, creating a denser, thicker plant. When pruning lavender, trim away around one-third of the plant’s growth after its first flush of flowers. This is also the perfect time to harvest the fragrant flower buds. Then, prune about one-third of the plant’s growth again after the second flush of blooms fades to prepare the plant for fall. Although individual plants will grow substantially in width as they mature, Spanish lavender does not spread through root extension, so you don’t need to worry about aggressive growth.
