Product Field NotesLavender Plants
Helmsdale Lavender: Burgundy-Purple Spanish Lavender
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Helmsdale lavender is a Spanish lavender with some of the darkest color in the group: plump flower heads in burgundy and purple, topped with upright petals, over green foliage. It grows into a bushy, compact plant about 30 inches tall and wide in mild climates and has a strong, bold, resinous fragrance.
It starts early, from mid-April in warm regions, and with deadheading it keeps going in waves.
Helmsdale at a glance
| Trait | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Botanical name | Lavandula stoechas 'Helmsdale' |
| Flowers | Burgundy-purple heads with upright top petals |
| Foliage | Green |
| Mature size | About 30 inches tall and 30 inches wide |
| Bloom | Starts mid-April, peaks late May in warm climates, high rebloom |
| Hardiness | USDA zones 7a to 10b; RHS H3 |
| Fragrance | Strong, resinous, camphor and eucalyptus-like |
| Wildlife | Great for pollinators; deer resistant |
Designing with dark color
Burgundy flowers bring depth that bright purples cannot. Helmsdale looks rich in a pale container, beside silver foliage or with chartreuse and lime-green plants that make its color glow. In a mixed planter, it holds its own as the centerpiece. Because its own leaves are green rather than gray, it reads lush and full even between flushes.
Hardiness, honestly
The Royal Horticultural Society rates Helmsdale H3, its category for plants that handle only mild frosts, and its USDA range starts at zone 7a. Most of Michigan is colder than that, so here it is a container or seasonal plant. In zone 7 and warmer, plant it in the ground in full sun and lean, gravelly soil.
Container care
- Pot: at least 12 inches wide with a drainage hole; it grows into a good-sized plant.
- Mix: fast-draining with added grit or perlite.
- Sun: full sun for the strongest color and most flowers.
- Water: thoroughly when the top inch or two is dry; empty the saucer.
- Feeding: light, in spring.
Deadheading and pruning
Rebloom is high when spent heads are removed. Clip faded stems back to the foliage every week or two, and after a big flush give the plant a light all-over trim. Avoid cutting into bare, woody stems, which may not regrow.
Winter indoors
Before hard frost, bring the pot inside to a cool, bright window or a frost-free sunroom. Water sparingly and keep air moving. After your last spring frost, move it back outdoors, easing it into full sun over a few days. The Frost Date Estimator gives your dates.
Uses
Helmsdale is good for fresh cut stems in small arrangements, but only fair for drying. It is not recommended for culinary use, and its oil rates weak. Grow it for its color, its garden fragrance and the bees.
Plant sizes
Offered as 3-inch plugs, 4-inch pots and 1-gallon pots. See the product page for current sizes and availability.
Frequently asked questions
What does RHS H3 mean?
It is a British hardiness rating for plants that tolerate only light frosts. It lines up with Helmsdale's USDA range of zones 7a to 10b.
Is Helmsdale burgundy or purple?
Both. The heads are listed as burgundy and purple, and the shade varies with light and age.
Does it need a winter chill to bloom?
No. Like other Spanish lavenders, it flowers without a cold period.
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