Continuously Blooming Lavenders

Lavender Types, Lavender Varieties, Lavender Blooming Seasons

Lavender Flowers, Lavender Flower, English Lavender, Spanish lavender, French Lavender, Early Lavenders, Lavender Blooming Times, lavandula angustifolia, lavandula stoechas, lavandula x intermedia

While Lavender is usually regarded as a summer-blooming flower, some Lavender plants are early bloomers, with their magnificent blooms appearing early in spring. Others are late bloomers, with blooms opening up in midsummer and lasting until late summer.

Planting one of each in your garden will reward you with heavenly fragrance and attractive flower spikes from spring until late summer. Alternatively, you can choose a variety of Lavender which blooms almost continuously from spring to the end of the summer.

Fitting this description are Lavandula stoechas cultivars (Spanish Lavender), which produce several full flushes of flowers during the growing season, provided their flowers are cut after each flush.

What is Spanish Lavender (Lavandula stoechas)?

Spanish lavender, also known as Lavandula stoechas, is an exceptional plant cherished for its vibrant colors, unique bloom shape, and Mediterranean charm it brings to gardens.

Description and Growth Habit: Spanish lavender features upright growth and typically reaches a height of 1-2 feet (30-60 cm) and a spread of 2-3 feet (60-90 cm). Its foliage is evergreen, linear, and grey-green in color, adding an element of visual interest even when the plant is not in bloom.
Flowers and Blooming Season: One of its standout features is the dense, dark purple, pinecone-shaped flowers that bloom as early as May (in areas with mild summers and winters), with another flush of blooms in June followed by another flush of color in late summer or fall. The blooms are topped with a tuft of lavender-colored bracts that look like rabbit ears, giving the plant a unique appearance.
Hardiness: Spanish lavender is hardy and thrives in USDA Zones 8-9. It’s resistant to heat, drought, and wind, making it a versatile choice for many landscapes.
Uses: This plant’s striking appearance and fragrant blooms make it perfect for borders, rock gardens, and containers. Its essential oil is used in aromatherapy and perfumes.
Pollinators: The rich nectar of Spanish lavender attracts many pollinators, including bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects.
Deer and Rabbit Resistance: The plant’s strong scent acts as a natural deterrent to deer and rabbits, making it a good choice for gardens in areas where these animals are common.
Drought Tolerance: Its Mediterranean origin makes Spanish lavender highly drought-tolerant, ideal for xeriscaping or low-water landscapes.

Note: Bloom times highly depend on weather conditions. Spring may arrive sooner or later in your area than in California or New England. But the bloom sequence of Lavenders remains unchanged. Early blooming Lavenders will always be the first ones to show off in the garden, whether this is in May or June in your area.

Guide Information

Hardiness	5 - 11
Heat Zones	5 - 8
Climate Zones	2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
Plant Type	Perennials, Shrubs
Genus	Lavandula
Exposure	Full Sun
Season of Interest	Spring (Mid, Late), Summer (Early, Mid, Late)
Maintenance	Average
Soil Type	Chalk, Loam, Sand
Soil pH	Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage	Well-Drained
Characteristics	Dried Arrangements, Cut Flowers, Fragrant, Plant of Merit, Showy
Tolerance	Drought, Deer, Rabbit, Dry Soil, Rocky Soil
Attracts	Bees, Butterflies
Landscaping Ideas	Banks And Slopes, Patio And Containers, Beds And Borders, Edging, Hedges And Screens
Garden Styles	City and Courtyard, Coastal Garden, Gravel and Rock Garden, Informal and Cottage, Mediterranean Garden, Traditional Garden

Continuously Blooming Lavenders

Lavandula stoechas ‘Anouk’ (Spanish Lavender)

Compact and beautiful, Lavandula stoechas ‘Anouk’ features dark plum flower heads topped with long-lasting violet-blue bracts delicately fading to pink as they mature. Highly aromatic silvery foliage. Great for mass planting, low hedges, or containers. This French Lavender blooms almost continuously from mid-late spring to late summer.

Hardiness	6 - 10
Exposure	Full Sun
Seasons	Spring (Mid, Late), Summer (Early, Late)
Height	1' - 2' (30cm - 60cm)
Spread	1' - 2' (30cm - 60cm)

Lavandula stoechas ‘Regal Splendour’ (Spanish Lavender)

Very eye-catching and floriferous, Lavandula stoechas ‘Regal Splendour’ features plump, rich violet-blue flower heads topped with long pinkish-purple bracts creating a lovely contrast. This French Lavender blooms almost continuously from mid-late spring to late summer.

Hardiness	8 - 9
Exposure	Full Sun
Seasons	Spring (Mid, Late), Summer (Early, Late)
Height	2' - 3' (60cm - 90cm)
Spread	2' - 3' (60cm - 90cm)

Lavandula stoechas ‘Kew Red’ (Spanish Lavender)

A very attractive and unusual bicolor Lavender, Lavandula stoechas ‘Kew Red’ features plump, bright, deep crimson-pink flower heads topped with pale pink bracts delicately fading to white as they mature. This French Lavender blooms almost continuously from mid-late spring to late summer.

Hardiness	7 - 9
Exposure	Full Sun
Seasons	Spring (Mid, Late), Summer (Early, Late)
Height	1' - 2' (30cm - 60cm)
Spread	1' - 2' (30cm - 60cm)

Lavandula stoechas ‘Ballerina’ (Spanish Lavender)

A very attractive bicolor Lavender indeed! Lavandula stoechas ‘Ballerina’ features plump purple flower heads topped with long-lasting white flowers delicately fading to pink and purple as they mature. Highly aromatic silvery foliage. Great for mass planting, low hedges or containers. This French Lavender blooms almost continuously from mid-late spring to late summer.

Hardiness	8 - 9
Exposure	Full Sun
Seasons	Spring (Mid, Late), Summer (Early, Late)
Height	1' - 2' (30cm - 60cm)
Spread	1' - 2' (30cm - 60cm)

Lavandula stoechas ‘Fathead’ (Spanish Lavender)

Quite compact, Lavandula stoechas ‘Fathead’ features plump round flower heads topped with long-lasting dark purple bracts delicately fading to pink as they mature. This French Lavender blooms almost continuously from mid-late spring to late summer.

Hardiness	8 - 9
Exposure	Full Sun
Seasons	Spring (Mid, Late), Summer (Early, Late)
Height	1' - 2' (30cm - 60cm)
Spread	1' - 2' (30cm - 60cm)

Planting Lavender

Planting lavender can be a delightful addition to any garden, thanks to its vibrant color, aromatic scent, and hardy nature. Here are the steps to plant lavender successfully:

Choose the Right Variety: Different lavender varieties have different climate and soil preferences. For example, English lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) is hardy to zones 5-9 and prefers a cooler climate, while French and Spanish lavenders prefer warmer conditions.
Select the Ideal Site: Lavender thrives in full sun (at least 6 hours a day) and well-draining soil. A south-facing location is usually ideal.
Prepare the Soil: Lavender prefers alkaline soil with a pH between 6.5 and 7.5. If your soil is too acidic, adding lime can help raise the pH. Improve drainage by adding organic matter or sand to the soil, especially if planting in clay-heavy soil.
Planting: Dig a hole twice as wide and just as deep as the pot the lavender is currently in. Remove the plant from the pot, gently loosen the roots, and place it in the hole, ensuring the top of the root ball is level with the soil surface. Backfill with soil, press firmly, and water thoroughly.
Spacing: Lavender plants need good airflow to prevent fungal diseases, so space them 2-3 feet (60-90 cm) apart, depending on the variety.
Watering: Lavender is drought-tolerant once established, but will need regular watering during its first growing season.
Pruning: In spring, prune about one-third of the plant to encourage bushy growth.
Winter Care: In colder zones, protect your lavender in winter with a layer of straw or evergreen boughs to prevent winter burn.

Remember, lavenders are slow starters, and it may take a couple of years for your plants to reach full size. But once established, they are easy to care for and reward you with beautiful blooms and fragrance.

Lavender Blooming Guides

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Garden Examples

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While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.