Lavandula stoechas 'Giant Summer' (Butterfly Garden Series)

About

An evergreen Mediterranean shrub with the characteristic 'topped' heads of Spanish lavender: elongated purple bracts sit above the flower spikes. Lavandula stoechas 'Giant Summer' (Butterfly Garden Series) bears greyish, tomentose leaves and ovoid bracts about 5 cm long. Flowering runs from June to September. Plants commonly reach 0.3–1.0 m tall.

About the genus

Lavandula is a genus of 47 known species of perennial flowering plants in the sage family, Lamiaceae. It is native to the Old World, primarily found across the drier, warmer regions of the Mediterranean, with an affinity for maritime breezes.

Wikipedia contributors, "Lavandula", CC BY-SA 4.0 — Lavandula

In the garden

Lavandula stoechas 'Giant Summer' (Butterfly Garden Series) is a form of Spanish (topped) lavender originating from the Mediterranean Basin and belonging to the Lamiaceae. It presents the species’ distinctive crown of elongated ovoid bracts — roughly 5 cm — above compact flower spikes, set against greyish, tomentose foliage. Expect flowering from June to September in UK climates. Choose a sunny, sharply drained position to mirror its native conditions; a gritty or free-draining soil suits the plant better than heavy, waterlogged ground. Plants establish best with good light and air movement around the crowns. Water sparingly once established and avoid rich, moisture-retentive mixes that encourage soft, woody growth. Use 'Giant Summer' at the front of herbaceous borders, in gravel beds, or in containers where drainage can be controlled; the topped flower heads are especially effective for pollinators and for cutting. Light pruning of flowered stems helps retain a compact form and prevents the lower stems becoming overly woody, while leaving spent bracts for a short period will allow visiting insects to finish feeding before tidy removal.

More in the Lavandula genus

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