IB510-17 Lavender: A Compact Pedunculata with Big Bracts

IB510-17 lavender is a compact Lavandula pedunculata with a code name instead of a catchy one. It was selected from a self-pollinated seedling of another pedunculata, and it forms a small, bushy plant about 10 inches tall and 9 inches wide with green foliage. Each short-stalked flower head carries violet flowers under large, light-purple bracts.

The foliage is strongly aromatic, even pungent, so this is a lavender you will smell when you brush past it.

IB510-17 at a glance

Big bracts on a small plant

The large bracts are what make this selection eye-catching. On a plant under a foot tall, they give a lot of color for the space, and the short stalks keep the heads tucked close to the foliage for a tidy, compact look. In its native warm climate it flowers naturally from late winter into early summer. As a spring-planted annual in Michigan, expect flowers from late May with a June peak, and more if you keep deadheading.

Best uses

• Small pots and window boxes: it fits where full-size lavenders cannot.
• Mixed containers: a compact, colorful accent beside trailing or silver plants.
• Front of a warm bed: in full sun and gritty soil as a seasonal plant.
• Pollinator patio: it rates great for bees and is deer resistant.

Growing it

Full sun and fast drainage are essential. In pots, use a gritty mix and a container with a drainage hole; water when the top inch is dry and never let it sit in water. In the ground, plant after the last frost in lean, well-drained soil. The Frost Date Estimator gives your safe planting date. A light feeding in spring is plenty.

Deadheading and keeping it

Rebloom is rated high. Snip faded heads back to the foliage every week or two, and lightly shape the plant after a heavy flush, avoiding bare wood. To keep a potted plant past fall, bring it indoors before frost to a cool, bright window, water sparingly through winter and move it back outdoors after your last frost.

Cutting and drying

IB510-17 rates good for fresh and dried flowers. The short stems suit tiny posies, bud vases and crafts. It is not recommended for culinary use.

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

Why does it have a number instead of a name?

IB510-17 is a selection code. It is a distinct selection of Lavandula pedunculata, simply known by its code rather than a trade name.

Will it come back next year in Michigan?

Not outdoors. It is rated for zones 8a to 10b and grows as an annual in Michigan unless overwintered indoors.

Does it smell like English lavender?

No. Its foliage is strongly aromatic and pungent, more resinous than the sweet scent of English lavender.

Keep exploring

• IB510-17 Lavender Plants & Plugs
• Lavender Plant Library
• Lavender Botanical Groups
• Frost Date Estimator