Product Field NotesLavender Plants
LABZ0012 Lavender: A Pint-Sized Spanish Lavender with Black Blooms
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LABZ0012 lavender is a true miniature among Spanish lavenders: a compact, dense, rounded plant only about 8 inches tall and wide. Large purple bracts crown purple-black flowers, so each little head looks bigger than the plant has any right to carry. It is a natural for tabletop pots, window boxes and fairy-garden-scale plantings.
Its scent has an unusual twist. The foliage is very strongly scented, while the flower heads themselves are reported to have little or no fragrance. Brush the leaves, not the blooms, for the full effect.
LABZ0012 at a glance
| Trait | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Botanical name | Lavandula stoechas LABZ0012 |
| Bracts and flowers | Large purple bracts, purple-black flowers |
| Foliage | Medium green, very strongly scented |
| Size | About 8 inches tall and 8 inches wide |
| Stems and heads | Stems about 5 to 6 inches; heads about 1.6 inches |
| Bloom | Starts early June, peaks mid-July, high rebloom |
| Hardiness | USDA zones 8a to 9b |
| Best use | Fragrance from foliage; small containers |
Small plant, big presence
Compact lavenders often look like a reduced version of a big one. LABZ0012 looks deliberate. Its dense habit means no gaps or floppy stems, and the dark flowers against large purple bracts give a lot of color per inch. A single plant can carry a 6 inch pot on a sunny sill; three in a long trough make a neat, low display on a deck rail.
Bloom timing is a little later than many Spanish types, starting in early June and running through summer. Outdoor trial plants flowered naturally in July, so expect the main show in midsummer.
Container care
- Pot: 6 to 8 inches across with drainage holes. Small plants rot quickly in oversized, wet pots.
- Mix: a fast-draining potting mix with extra grit or perlite.
- Light: full sun outdoors; the brightest window available indoors.
- Water: soak, then wait until the top inch is dry. Tiny pots can dry out in a single hot day, so check often in July.
- Deadheading: snip faded heads at the first leaves below them to keep rebloom coming.
Winter and the indoor season
With a zone 8a to 9b rating, it will not survive a Michigan winter outdoors. Its small size makes overwintering easy, though. Bring it in before frost, set it in a cool, very bright spot and water sparingly. It will slow down, which is normal. Return it outside after the last frost, easing it into full sun over a week.
Using the scent
Because the fragrance lives in the leaves, place LABZ0012 where hands will touch it: beside a chair, on a step or at the edge of a path. A few sprigs of foliage tucked into a drawer sachet add a fresh herbal note. Flower heads dry well for color in small crafts. Culinary use is not recommended.
Choose 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
Why don't the flowers smell?
This selection's fragrance is concentrated in the foliage, which is very strongly scented. The flower heads are reported without fragrance.
Can I plant it in the ground?
Yes, in a sunny, sharply drained spot for the summer. In Michigan, plan to lift and pot it before frost or replant in spring.
Is it good for beginners?
Yes, as long as you avoid overwatering. Small pots and wet soil are the most common cause of trouble.
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