Use & Care NotesLavender Plants
LaVela Dark Violet '16: A Very Early Spanish Lavender with Dark Bracts
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LaVela Dark Violet '16 lavender, also listed as KLELV15115, is one of the earliest Spanish lavenders we carry. It is documented as flowering one to two weeks earlier than 'Madrid Purple', with dark purple terminal bracts on a semi-upright plant about 14 inches tall and 11 inches wide over gray-green leaves.
It is Lavandula stoechas, rated for USDA zones 8b to 9a, a narrow, warm range. In the Great Lakes region that makes it strictly a container or annual lavender, but one that delivers color when spring pots need it most.
LaVela Dark Violet '16 at a glance
| Trait | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Botanical name | Lavandula stoechas LaVela Dark Violet '16 (KLELV15115) |
| Flower color | Dark purple with dark purple terminal bracts |
| Foliage | Gray-green, semi-upright |
| Size | About 14 inches tall and 11 inches wide |
| Bloom | Very early; starts early May, peaks late May, high rebloom |
| Hardiness | USDA zones 8b to 9a |
| Fragrance | Moderate; bold resinous-herbal with camphor and eucalyptus-like notes |
| Cut and dried | Good for both |
Who it is for
- Early-season container gardeners who want flowers on the porch as soon as frost is past.
- Small spaces: at about 11 inches wide, it fits window boxes and narrow planters.
- Dried flower crafters: unlike many Spanish lavenders, its dried rating is good, and dark bracts keep their color well.
- Pollinator gardeners: its very early flowers give bees something to work in late spring.
Planting and potting
Choose a pot with drainage holes and fill it with a gritty, fast-draining mix; unglazed clay helps the soil dry between waterings. Give it full sun, six to eight hours. Plant outdoors after your last frost, set the crown level with the soil and water it in. In mild-winter regions within its zones, plant in the ground on raised or sloped soil.
Care through the season
Water needs are low. Let the top inch of soil dry, then water deeply. Snip off faded heads to keep the high rebloom going, and after the main flush in late May, give it a light trim to keep it compact for summer. Feed sparingly, if at all. In humid weather, keep it where air moves freely and avoid wetting the foliage in the evening.
Bringing it indoors
A zone 8b to 9a rating means even a mild Michigan winter is too cold outdoors. Before the first hard freeze, move the pot to a cool, bright room or an unheated sunroom. Water sparingly and skip fertilizer until spring. When frost danger is over, trim any tired growth and move it back outside. Check your dates with the Frost Date Estimator.
Drying dark bracts
Cut heads when the bracts have just colored up, on a dry morning. Hang small bunches or lay heads on a screen in a dark, airy spot. Dark purple dries better than pale colors, which fade faster. Use the dried heads in sachets, wreath accents or small arrangements. It is ornamental and not recommended for cooking.
Plant formats
It is offered as a 3-inch plug, 4-inch pot and 1-gallon pot. See the product page for current sizes and availability, or sign up for Availability Alerts.
Frequently asked questions
What does the '16 mean?
It distinguishes this selection from the original LaVela Dark Violet. The two are related but listed separately with different sizes and zone ratings.
How early does it bloom?
It is documented as flowering one to two weeks earlier than 'Madrid Purple', another early Spanish lavender.
Will it survive winter outside in Michigan?
No. It is rated for zones 8b to 9a, so overwinter it indoors.
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