FW Spellbound Lavender: Dark Violet Color in a 9-Inch Plant

FW Spellbound lavender is the dark one in the compact FW group of Lavandula pedunculata. Its flowers are a deep, grayed purple, topped with purple-violet bracts, on a broadly upright little plant about 9 inches tall and wide with gray-green leaves.

Where its pink and pastel siblings look cheerful, Spellbound looks a bit dramatic. It is the lavender to reach for when a pot needs depth instead of sparkle.

FW Spellbound at a glance

Designing with a dark lavender

Dark flowers need contrast to shine. Set FW Spellbound in a pale stone or white pot, or plant it with silver foliage and chartreuse leaves in a mixed container. A row of three small pots along a sunny step, one each of Spellbound, a pink FW and a pastel FW, makes a simple, coordinated display.

It is small enough for a window box and tidy enough for a table centerpiece, and pollinators find it even on a balcony.

Growing it well in a pot

1. Choose a small pot, about 6 to 8 inches, with a drainage hole.
2. Fill with a gritty, fast-draining mix; skip moisture-holding blends.
3. Give it full sun, ideally six or more hours.
4. Water thoroughly when the top inch is dry and empty any saucer.
5. Feed lightly once in spring, if at all.

Keeping the color coming

The bracts on top of each head carry the color, and new heads keep appearing as long as you remove the old ones. Snip spent stems back to the foliage every week or two. A light all-over trim after a heavy flush keeps it compact. Stay out of old, leafless wood.

Overwintering

Anywhere colder than zone 8b, FW Spellbound must come inside before hard frost. A cool, bright window or an enclosed, frost-free porch is ideal. Keep the mix barely moist through winter, then move it outdoors again after your last frost. The Care Calendar helps you remember when.

Cut and dried uses

FW Spellbound rates good for fresh and dried flowers. Its dark heads are lovely tucked into small posies or dried for crafts. It is not recommended for culinary use.

Plant sizes

Choose 3-inch plugs, 4-inch pots or 1-gallon pots. See the product page for current sizes and availability.

Frequently asked questions

Is FW Spellbound the same as Fairy Wings Spellbound?

No. Fairy Wings Spellbound is a Lavandula stoechas that grows a little over 2 feet tall. FW Spellbound is a much smaller Lavandula pedunculata at about 9 inches.

Will it bloom indoors over winter?

It may produce a few flowers in a bright window, but winter indoors is mainly a rest period. Expect the real show once it is back outside in full sun.

Does it attract bees?

Yes. It rates great for pollinators.

Keep exploring

• FW Spellbound Lavender Plants & Plugs
• Lavender Plant Library
• Lavender Botanical Groups
• Care Calendar