Product Field NotesLavender Plants
Boysenberry Ruffles Lavender: Berry Tones for Sunny Containers
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Boysenberry Ruffles lavender looks like a bowl of mixed berries. Its flower heads blend mauve, lilac, purple and light pink, and each one is crowned with the petal-like flags that make Spanish lavender so recognizable. The plant stays bushy and compact, and it keeps flowering through the warm months as long as you snip off the old blooms.
It is a Lavandula stoechas, a group that loves heat and sun but is less cold-hardy than English lavender. For most Michigan gardeners, that makes it a container star rather than a hedge.
Boysenberry Ruffles at a glance
| Trait | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Botanical name | Lavandula stoechas 'Boysenberry Ruffles' |
| Flower color | Mauve, lilac, purple and light pink |
| Foliage | Gray-green |
| Habit | Bushy and compact |
| Mature size | About 24 inches tall and 24 inches wide |
| Bloom | Starts early May, peaks late May in warm climates, high rebloom |
| Hardiness | USDA zones 7a to 9b |
| Fragrance | Strong, resinous and herbal with eucalyptus-like notes |
| Culinary use | Not recommended; ornamental |
Building a container around it
Because its color sits somewhere between pink and purple, Boysenberry Ruffles is easy to design with. A few combinations that work in a large pot:
- Soft and silvery: pair it with silver-leaved trailing plants and white flowers for a cool, pastel planter.
- Berry bowl: combine it with deep purple and magenta annuals for a rich, jewel-toned display.
- Herb pot: set it beside rosemary and thyme, which share its love of sun and lean, dry soil.
Whatever you choose, keep partners that like the same sharp drainage. Lavender sulks next to thirsty plants that want daily water.
Getting it through the year
Spanish lavender does not need a winter chill to bloom, so new plants often flower soon after potting. Use a container with a drainage hole and a gritty, fast-draining mix. Set it in full sun and let the top of the mix dry between waterings.
Before hard freezes, bring the pot indoors to a cool, bright window, an enclosed porch or a sunroom. Water lightly over winter, just enough to keep the roots from drying completely. In spring, move it outside gradually after the last frost; the Frost Date Estimator can help you pick a date. In zones 7a to 9b, it can live in a well-drained, sunny bed year-round.
Keeping the flowers coming
- Deadhead regularly: cut faded flower heads back to the foliage. This is the single biggest boost to rebloom.
- Shape after big flushes: a light all-over trim keeps the mound compact. Do not cut into bare wood.
- Feed lightly: container plants can take a little diluted fertilizer during summer, but too much means leaves instead of flowers.
- Watch the humidity: give pots space for air to circulate in muggy weather.
Flowers and fragrance
Its scent is bold and resinous, with camphor and eucalyptus-like notes, very different from the sweet scent of English lavender. Brush a leaf when you pass and you will see what we mean. It is rated good for fresh-cut flowers and fair for drying, so enjoy it in a small vase. Culinary use is not recommended. It is a great pollinator plant and deer tend to leave it alone.
Formats offered
Boysenberry Ruffles is listed as a 3-inch plug, a 4-inch pot or a 1-gallon pot. Plugs and 4-inch pots slip easily into mixed planters, while a gallon plant can carry a container on its own. See the product page for current sizes and availability, and use Notify Me if it is not ready yet.
Frequently asked questions
Why did my Spanish lavender stop blooming?
Usually it needs deadheading or more sun. Snip the old heads and move it to the sunniest spot you have.
Should I cut it back hard in fall?
No. Trim lightly after flowering instead, and save any shaping for spring once new growth appears.
How is it different from Blueberry Ruffles?
Both have a similar size and habit. Boysenberry Ruffles runs mauve to pink, while Blueberry Ruffles is purple-blue.
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