Use & Care NotesLavender Plants
Javelin Fortissimo Purple: Very Large Flags That Last and Last
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Javelin Fortissimo Purple lavender lives up to the musical name: it is the loud one. The lavender-violet flower heads carry very large flags that hold their color for a long time, and the plant is vigorous, upright and strongly branched, about 14 to 20 inches tall and 12 to 16 inches wide over gray-green foliage.
It is a Lavandula stoechas in the Javelin series, rated for USDA zones 7a to 9b, with a strong resinous fragrance and the series' documented disease tolerance. In Michigan it is a container or annual lavender, and a very showy one.
Javelin Fortissimo Purple at a glance
| Trait | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Botanical name | Lavandula stoechas Javelin Fortissimo Purple |
| Flower color | Purple to lavender-violet, with very large long-lasting flags |
| Habit | Upright, vigorous, strongly branched |
| Size | About 14 to 20 inches tall and 12 to 16 inches wide |
| Bloom | Starts early May, peaks late May, repeats through summer |
| Hardiness | USDA zones 7a to 9b |
| Water needs | Low once established |
| Fragrance | Strong, resinous-herbal with camphor and eucalyptus-like notes |
What long-lasting flags mean for you
On many Spanish lavenders, the flags are the first thing to fade, leaving a dark cone behind. Fortissimo Purple's flags are described as very large and long-lasting, so each head looks finished and showy for longer before it needs clipping. That makes it a good choice for spots where you want impact without constant grooming, like a big pot on a front step or planters on a busy deck.
Vigorous, strongly branched growth means plenty of flowering stems. Give it room: crowded with other plants, it will push and shove for light.
Planting
- Containers: one plant per 12- to 14-inch pot, or space plants about 14 inches apart in a long planter.
- Beds: in zone 7a and warmer, plant on raised or sloped ground with sharp drainage.
- Mix: gritty and fast-draining, with drainage holes in every pot.
- Timing: after your last frost. The Frost Date Estimator helps.
Summer care
Water deeply, then let the top inch dry. A vigorous plant in a pot can drink more in July than you expect, so check often in heat waves but never let it sit in water. Deadhead when flags finally fade and shear lightly after the late-May peak to encourage summer bloom. Skip rich fertilizers; they make soft growth that flops.
Winter and spring
Fortissimo Purple is less cold-hardy than English lavender. In most of Michigan, move the pot indoors to a cool, bright room before a hard freeze and water lightly until spring, or enjoy it as a long-season annual. When it goes back outside, trim off any weak winter growth and it will branch out again.
Cutting and formats
With good cut ratings and big, durable flags, it makes eye-catching fresh bouquets. Its dried rating is fair because Spanish lavender flags shrink as they dry. Growers like its large bundles for pick-your-own color. It is ornamental only.
It comes as a 3-inch plug, 4-inch pot or 1-gallon pot. See the product page for current sizes and availability, or set up Availability Alerts.
Frequently asked questions
Is Fortissimo bigger than other Javelin types?
Its listed plant size is similar, about 14 to 20 inches tall. What stands out is the very large, long-lasting flags and vigorous branching.
Is it good for bees?
Yes. Its pollinator rating is great, and it flowers early, when bees need it.
Does it need a cold winter to bloom?
No. Spanish lavenders flower without winter chilling, so new plants bloom their first season.
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