Lavandula stoechas leucantha - Lavender - Snowball

Family: Lamiaceae

Common Name(s): French Lavender, Spanish Lavender, Stoechas Lavender, Topped Lavender

Native to: Mediterranean region

Flowering: Spring to Summer

Watering: Keep the soil moist during the dryer periods but avoid over watering

Planting Aspect: Full sun to part shade

Preferred Climate:

 

Temperate, Subtropical, Grassland

Description

Cultivation

Lavender plants prefer either full sun all day or at least some decent afternoon sun and fertile, excellent draining soil. Lavender hate having wet feet, therefore to assist with drainage, very heavy soils should be built up by 150-200mm and mix in some course sand. If grown in pots, discard the saucer and raise the pot a little off the ground to aid better drainage. It will thrive best in neutral to alkaline soils, however they will grow in slightly acidic soil provided there is ample calcium available. If not, simply spread a handful of Dolomite Lime around the plants in autumn. This will improve both growth and flowering.

Lavender does not appreciate manure fertilisers but composting around the area and the addition of some blood and bone will help the natural maintenance of the soil. For pot cultivation the application of a complete slow release fertiliser is advisable. Do not cultivate around your plants as this disturbs the surface roots and any damage to the trunk will allow fungal infection to enter. A light tip prune in early spring will help to keep the plant compact.