Spanish Lavender

growsherown
Location: Olympic Peninsula
Posted: Mar-29-2004 at 9:05am

After strolling thru the WONDERFUL plant gallery here at rainyside, I have found a plant that I am curious about. The Spanish Lavender, aka "Lavandula Stoechas" ( i hope thats right.lol)...the "Otto Quast" variety to be more specific.

Last summer sometime, on a routine sweep of the local nurseries, Sparkle and I saw this beautiful plant! I had to have it, but unfortunately, the nursery only had the one and it was HUGE! They had no smaller ones available and I was heartsick! So, I pinched off a small branch of it to take around to the other nurseries to try and find it in a size that I could afford.

I went home that day thinking that the "garden spirits" were not w/ me that day as I counldnt find this sweet plant anywhere. Then, it hit me! As I sit staring at the wilted branch that was showing the wear of being carted all over town in my purse, I thought of trying to root it. I dipped it in rooting hormone and potted it w/ the best intentions...and it grew! I planted it out in early fall of last year, and low and behold......its coming up! Its very small tho, and hasnt yet bloomed for me. Is this a slow grower, or is there something I can do to give it a boost?

Fragrance isnt as important to me w/ this particular lavender (as I have English Lavender plants to put in this year for that), but I want this just for the spectacular "eye catching" bloom!

Trish
Location: Washington, Southwestern
Posted: Mar-30-2004 at 9:14am

I brought home a couple of these last spring, and they're great, aren't they. Mine are maybe 8" tall and just now coming out of dormancy. Just give it some more time. Rapid tender growth can't handle the cold nights we're bound to have this time of year.

growsherown
Location: Olympic Peninsula
Posted: Mar-30-2004 at 10:45am

Oh thank you, trish! You have given me hope! Im not sure its in the best location, but it gets really good sun, but has poor, well drained soil. My favorite part of this plant is how the blooms on the tips resemble purple and black bumble bees. Too cute!

Garden Spider
Location: Washington, Puget Sound Corridor
Posted: Mar-31-2004 at 8:47am

I had always heard that Spanish lavender was not hardy here, so never bothered with it. But evidently my info was incorrect! Does it need special care during the winter? Mulching or covering? I may replace some of my older Lavenders, as they are no longer looking their best. I love the flowers of Spanish lavender!

__________________
Barb
I LIKE being crazy. It makes life interesting, and the dogs haven't complained yet.
(Denise Groenewald)

Trish
Location: Washington, Southwestern
Posted: Mar-31-2004 at 10:45am

I'd heard that about the Spanish lavenders too, but my neighbor's plants apparently didn't read that article. Well-drained soil seems to be the key.

My lavenders are in a small raised bed with lean soil. I'm in Sunset Zone 4, about 5 miles and 500' elevation from easygoing Zone 6. I notice that my plants bloom/ ripen about 2 weeks later than those in friends' gardens.

From my experience, the dentata lavenders are more touchy. They have an irresistable scalloped leaf. Goodwin Creek Grey is supposed to be a little more cold-hardy, but mine are dead. I lost the fern-leaf lavender too, but knew that it was considered tender.

Garden Spider
Location: Washington, Puget Sound Corridor
Posted: Apr-01-2004 at 8:09am

My Goodwin Creek lavenders are still doing well . . . I think. I planted them about 3 or 4 years ago. They aren't looking good right now, but I just sheared them back, and it always takes a while for them to recover from that. The "Jean Davis" are the ones I want to replace. I don't care for the pale laveder/pinkish blossoms, and it's too short. They are also not looking good anymore--they are at least 7 years old, though. I'd like to plant a full-sized lavender there, with a rosemary bush in the corner for height. And if the Goodwin Creeks don't make it, maybe I'll plant Spanish lavender in their place.

__________________
Barb
I LIKE being crazy. It makes life interesting, and the dogs haven't complained yet.
(Denise Groenewald)

Lisa A
Location: Oregon, Greater Portland Metro
Posted: Apr-01-2004 at 9:18am

My spanish lavender over-wintered in their containers, even though I took no steps to protect them during our cold weather. I thought for sure they'd be goners but at last look, they are still there and seem fine. Surprised the heck out of me! Perhaps the containers with their good drainage, which means they aren't in the cold wet ground, actually helped their survival in my garden this year.

I'll have to look for the tags to tell you which variety I bought.

Grows, I always carry a small notebook with me when I go to nurseries so that I can write down the names of plants I want to find in smaller sizes or to look up info before purchase. It has proven indispensable to me!

__________________
Gardening in Sunset Zone 6, USDA Zone 8.
"If you are not killing plants, you are not really stretching yourself as a gardener."
~ J. C. Raulston

I planted mine about 5 years ago and was very disappointed with the flower color. The pale pink just looks washed out to me. I tried to convince myself that it was just because I like the purples of lavenders. But no, I think it is just plain ugh-aly.

__________________
Adding a fountain or two can bring the heartbeat of your garden to life with sound. -
David Lewis

Garden Spider
Location: Washington, Puget Sound Corridor
Posted: Apr-02-2004 at 8:02am

Debbie, I think you're right about the color of the Jean Davis. Like you, I tried to tell myself it's just because I think of lavender as dark purple flowers, but the Jean Davis is . . . really uninspiring. It looks like it was all bleached out. This is one lavender that actually looks better when it's not in bloom!

Well, if the Goodwin Creeks don't revive this year, I will consider ripping them out and replacing them with Spanish lavender.

__________________
Barb
I LIKE being crazy. It makes life interesting, and the dogs haven't complained yet.
(Denise Groenewald)

growsherown
Location: Olympic Peninsula
Posted: Apr-05-2004 at 3:18pm

Lisa A..awesome idea about the notebook! Will do that from now on!

growsherown
Location: Olympic Peninsula
Posted: Apr-23-2004 at 8:23am

*Update: though its still very small.....ITS BLOOMING!!

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