Product Field NotesLavender Plants
Bella Purple Lavender: Spring Pots Now, English Lavender Later
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Bella Purple lavender is a bushy, compact Spanish lavender that fills a pot generously, growing about 18 inches tall and 18 inches wide. Its purple flower heads with upright flags sit over gray-green leaves, and the fragrance is strong and resinous. It starts blooming in early May, weeks ahead of English lavender, and keeps reblooming.
It is Lavandula stoechas 'Bella Purple', rated for zones 7a to 9b.
Bella Purple at a glance
| Trait | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Botanical name | Lavandula stoechas 'Bella Purple' |
| Flower color | Purple |
| Foliage | Gray-green |
| Size | About 18 inches tall and 18 inches wide |
| Habit | Bushy and compact |
| Bloom | Starts early May, peaks late May, high rebloom |
| Hardiness | USDA zones 7a to 9b |
| Fragrance | Strong, resinous and camphor-like |
| Wildlife | Great for pollinators; deer resistant |
The pot-and-bed approach
Spanish and English lavenders peak at different times, and in a cold-winter garden they also need different homes. A simple plan:
- Pots: Spanish lavenders like Bella Purple, for color from early May. Pots can come indoors for winter.
- Beds: hardy English lavenders for the June and July show, harvest and the kitchen.
Set Bella Purple's pot near the lavender bed and you get purple in the same spot from spring to midsummer. The Lavender Bloom Calendar shows how the timing overlaps.
Container setup
Bella Purple's 18-inch spread calls for a pot about 12 to 16 inches across with a drainage hole. Use a gritty, free-draining mix; regular potting soil cut with coarse sand or fine gravel works. Terra-cotta dries faster than plastic, which suits lavender, but needs more frequent checks in July heat.
When to water
The easiest test is weight. Lift or tip the pot right after a thorough watering to feel how heavy it is wet, then check it every day or two. When it feels noticeably lighter and the top inch of mix is dry, water until it runs out the bottom. If it still feels heavy, wait. This habit prevents both drought and rot, and it is faster than any meter.
Season-long care and winter
- Deadhead: snip faded heads at the base of the stem to keep high rebloom going.
- Trim: a light shear after a heavy flush keeps it bushy.
- Feed: a light, balanced feed once or twice a season.
- Winter: rated for zones 7a to 9b, it will not survive a cold Great Lakes winter outdoors. Move it to a cool, bright, frost-free spot before hard frost and water sparingly until spring. The Frost Date Estimator helps you plan.
Using the flowers
Grow it for color, scent and pollinators. It is rated good as a cut flower and fair for drying, so it is best enjoyed fresh. Culinary use is not recommended.
Choosing a plant format
It is offered as a 3-inch plug, a 4-inch pot or a 1-gallon pot. A gallon plant fills a spring container right away. See the product page for current sizes and availability, and use Notify Me there if it is not available right now.
Frequently asked questions
Can Bella Purple go in the lavender bed with my English lavenders?
In zones 7a to 9b, yes. In colder areas, keep it potted so it can come inside for winter.
How big a pot does it need?
About 12 to 16 inches across for one plant, with a drainage hole.
Does it bloom all summer?
It peaks in late May and reblooms through the season when deadheaded regularly.
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