Lavandula Stoechas (Lavender)

This popular lavender has grey-green aromatic leaves with toothed edges. The species is distinguished by a crown of petals rising above the cone-shaped flower, hence one of the common names: Crowned lavender. Flowers of this species are the most striking of all lavenders. A wide range of colours are available, including new bicolours. L. stoechas ‘Helmsdale’ has grey-green foliage with dark purple flowers in spring and summer; ‘Purple Crown’ has green, aromatic foliage with dark purple flowers, fading to light purple in summer; it is good for hedging. L. stoechas subsp. lusitanica ‘Marshwood’ is 800mm tall, with grey-green foliage and purple-pink flowers from autumn to spring; ‘Papillon’ is 500mm tall, with grey-green foliage and pink-purple flowers from autumn to spring; L. stoechas subsp. pedunculata ‘Avonview’ is compact, reaching 600mm in height, with grey-green foliage and short flower-spikes bearing purple flowers from autumn to spring; ‘Pukehou’ is upright, growing to 800mm tall, with grey-green foliage and large purple flowers from autumn to spring. Lavender grows in most climates, except for humid subtropical areas. All lavenders are aromatic shrubs.