Product Field NotesLavender Plants
AGRI811 Lavender: A Big Spanish Lavender for Warm Patios
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AGRI811 lavender is a Spanish lavender that thinks big. Where most Spanish types stay knee-high, this one can grow into a broad, bushy shrub around 39 inches tall and wide, studded with dark purple flower heads crowned by lighter purple bracts. The foliage is strongly aromatic and pungent, while the flowers themselves have no noticeable scent.
It is Lavandula stoechas 'AGRI811', a cross between two other numbered stoechas selections. Its hardiness rating, USDA zones 8b to 9a, is the key thing to know before you buy.
AGRI811 at a glance
| Trait | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Botanical name | Lavandula stoechas 'AGRI811' |
| Flowers | Dark purple heads with lighter purple bracts |
| Foliage | Gray-green, strongly aromatic and pungent |
| Size | About 39 inches tall and 39 inches wide where it grows year-round |
| Habit | Upright, broadly spreading and bushy |
| Bloom | Starts early May, peaks late May, repeat blooming |
| Hardiness | USDA zones 8b to 9a |
| Fragrance | Strong from the foliage; flowers unscented |
| Wildlife | Great for pollinators; deer resistant |
What makes a Spanish lavender different
Spanish lavenders carry their flowers in plump, pinecone-shaped heads topped with petal-like bracts, often called flags or rabbit ears. They bloom earlier than English lavender, starting in late spring, and keep producing new heads through the season when old ones are removed. They come from warmer, subtropical regions, so they are less cold-hardy than English lavender.
AGRI811 adds sheer size to that list. Records describe a long, continuous flowering period from late spring into summer, which makes it a strong patio feature rather than a small accent.
Growing it where winters are cold
With a zone 8b to 9a rating, AGRI811 will not survive a Great Lakes winter in the ground. The practical approach is a large container, at least 16 to 20 inches across, filled with a gritty, fast-draining potting mix and set in full sun. In a pot it will stay smaller than its in-ground size, which is not a bad thing on a deck.
Before the first hard frost, move it to a cool, bright place such as an unheated sunroom or a bright garage window, and water sparingly through winter. Bring it back outside gradually once frost danger passes. The Frost Date Estimator helps you plan both moves. In zones 8b to 9a, plant it in the ground in a sunny, well-drained spot and give it room to spread.
Care through the season
- Water: low needs once rooted. In pots, water when the top inch or two of mix is dry and let excess drain away freely.
- Deadheading: snip faded heads just below the stem to keep new ones coming. High rebloom is one of its strengths.
- Shaping: after a big flush, trim lightly to keep the shrub dense. Avoid cutting into bare wood.
- Feeding: a light, balanced feed once or twice a season is plenty for container plants.
How to use it
Grow AGRI811 for its look, its pollinators and its pungent foliage, which releases a sharp herbal scent when you brush it. Culinary use is not recommended. The heads are rated good for cut and dried use; short stems make them best for small arrangements, bowls of dried heads or tucked into wreaths.
Choosing a plant format
It is offered as a 3-inch plug, a 4-inch pot or a 1-gallon pot. A gallon plant gives a container an instant presence, while a plug is a good value if you have patience. See the product page for current sizes and availability, and use Notify Me there if it is not available right now.
Frequently asked questions
Why do the flowers not smell?
On this selection the fragrance lives in the leaves. Brush or pinch the foliage and you will get a strong, resinous scent.
Can I leave it outside in Michigan?
Not over winter. Its rating is zones 8b to 9a, so grow it in a pot and bring it in, or enjoy it as a one-season patio plant.
How is it different from AGRI812?
They share the same parents, but AGRI812 is a tiny, spreading plant, while AGRI811 grows into a large shrub. The Compare tool shows them side by side.
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