Use & Care NotesLavender Plants
Javelin Forte White Lavender: Bright White Flags for Fresh Bouquets
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Javelin Forte White lavender is the clean, bright member of the Javelin Forte group. Its white flower heads wear extra-large white flags, standing on an upright, strongly branched plant about 14 to 20 inches tall and 12 to 16 inches wide with gray-green foliage. Its scent is rated strong.
It is Lavandula stoechas, a Spanish lavender, rated for USDA zones 7a to 9b. It flowers from mid-spring into summer and is documented with exceptional disease tolerance. White lavender is never the first one people ask about, but it is often the one they come back for.
Javelin Forte White at a glance
| Trait | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Botanical name | Lavandula stoechas Javelin Forte White |
| Flower color | White with extra-large white flags |
| Foliage | Gray-green, upright |
| Size | About 14 to 20 inches tall and 12 to 16 inches wide |
| Bloom | Early May start, late May peak, repeat through summer |
| Hardiness | USDA zones 7a to 9b |
| Water needs | Low once established |
| Best uses | Fragrance, fresh cut stems, container color |
Where white works best
White flowers glow in low light, so Javelin Forte White is a natural for spots you enjoy in the evening: a porch, a dining table on the deck, the edge of a path you walk at dusk. Against gray-green leaves, the white flags look cool and crisp even on a hot afternoon.
It also makes every other color look better. Mix it with Deep Purple or Deep Rose from the same series and the trio blooms on the same schedule with the same habit, which makes for an easy, even container planting.
Cutting for bouquets
Its cut flower rating is good. For fresh arrangements, cut stems in the morning when the flags have fully opened, strip the lower leaves and put them straight into cool water. A handful of white Spanish lavender in a small jar brings that resinous, herbal scent indoors. Dried, the flags lose some of their form, so its dried rating is fair; it is best enjoyed fresh. The Cut Flower Planner can help you plan a cutting patch.
Growing tips
- Sun: full sun for dense growth and plenty of flags.
- Soil: gritty and fast-draining; raised beds or containers work well.
- Water: let the top inch dry between waterings.
- Deadheading: white flowers show browning more than dark ones, so clip spent heads often to keep it looking fresh.
- Feeding: minimal.
Getting through winter
Javelin types are less cold-hardy than English lavender. In zone 7a and warmer it can stay in a well-drained bed. In colder areas, move the pot indoors to a cool, bright spot before a hard freeze, keep it on the dry side and bring it back out after your last frost. The Frost Date Estimator gives you that date.
Plant formats
Choose from a 3-inch plug, a 4-inch pot or a 1-gallon pot. See the product page for current sizes and availability.
Frequently asked questions
Does white lavender still attract bees?
Yes. Its pollinator rating is great, the same as its purple and pink relatives.
Does it smell different from purple Spanish lavender?
Its fragrance is the same bold resinous-herbal Spanish lavender profile, with camphor and eucalyptus-like notes.
Can I cook with it?
No. Spanish lavender is grown as an ornamental. Use a culinary English lavender in the kitchen.
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