Product Field NotesLavender Plants
Pretty Polly Lavender: Award-Winning Spanish Lavender in Purple
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Pretty Polly lavender is a compact Spanish lavender with purple and white blooms set over blue-gray foliage, a cooler leaf color than the gray-green of most Spanish types. It grows about 18 inches tall and 20 inches wide and holds the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.
It also has stamina. Flowering starts in early May and can extend through summer into early autumn with regular deadheading.
Pretty Polly at a glance
| Trait | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Botanical name | Lavandula stoechas 'Pretty Polly' |
| Flower color | Purple and white |
| Foliage | Blue-gray, aromatic |
| Size | About 18 inches tall and 20 inches wide |
| Bloom | Starts early May, peaks late May, can extend into early autumn |
| Hardiness | USDA zones 8a to 10b; RHS hardiness rating H4 |
| Fragrance | Moderate; aromatic foliage |
| Recognition | RHS Award of Garden Merit |
Why it stands out
The blue-gray leaves give Pretty Polly a cool, silvery cast, and the purple and white blooms sparkle against it. That combination suits blue and white color schemes, coastal-style patios with weathered wood and pale stone, and mixed containers with white or soft blue flowers. Its compact, bushy shape stays neat in a pot or at the front of a sunny bed.
The long bloom season is the other draw. Few lavenders can claim flowers from May into early fall.
Containers and winter
Pretty Polly is rated for zones 8a to 10b and carries an H4 hardiness rating, so it is less cold-tolerant than English lavenders. In colder climates:
- Grow it in a pot with drainage holes and a gritty, fast-draining mix.
- Give it full sun from late spring until frost.
- Before frost, bring it to a cool, bright, frost-free spot and water lightly through winter.
- Move it back outside when frost danger has passed. The Frost Date Estimator helps time it.
In zone 8 and warmer, plant it in the ground where water drains away quickly.
Keeping the season going
- Deadhead often: cut faded heads back to the foliage to keep new flowers coming. This is what stretches its bloom into fall.
- Water lightly: once established, water only when the top inch or two is dry.
- Trim gently: shape after a heavy flush, staying out of bare wood.
- Feed sparingly: lean conditions keep it compact and flowering.
Uses and formats
The blooms are good for small fresh arrangements and only fair for drying, so plan on enjoying them fresh. Its fragrance is moderate, with aromatic foliage that releases scent when brushed. It is not recommended for culinary use. Pollinators visit it heavily, and deer tend to skip it.
Pretty Polly is offered as 3-inch plugs, 4-inch pots and 1-gallon pots. See the product page for current sizes and availability.
Pretty Polly also plays well with other plants in a mixed container. Choose companions that like a lean, fast-draining mix and full sun, and let its blue-gray foliage act as the cool, silvery backdrop for brighter flowers.
Frequently asked questions
Why is the foliage blue-gray?
That is a trait of Pretty Polly, and part of its appeal. Most Spanish lavenders have gray-green leaves.
How long does it bloom?
It starts in early May, peaks in late May and, with deadheading, can keep flowering into early autumn.
Can it stay outdoors in winter?
Only in mild climates within zones 8a to 10b. Elsewhere, shelter potted plants indoors in a cool, bright spot.
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