Product Field NotesLavender Plants
Purple Ribbon Lavender: Spanish Flags for Pots and Warm Patios
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Purple Ribbon lavender is a Spanish lavender, the kind with plump flower heads topped by upright petal-like bracts that wave like tiny flags. It stays bushy and compact, flowers early and keeps coming back with new flushes, and its gray-green foliage carries a bold, resinous scent when you brush past.
It is a different animal from English lavender. Think patio pot and sunny border in warm climates, not a long-lived hedge in a Michigan field.
Purple Ribbon at a glance
| Trait | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Botanical name | Lavandula stoechas 'Purple Ribbon' |
| Flower color | Purple heads with upright purple bracts |
| Foliage | Gray-green, bushy |
| Mature size | About 16 inches tall and 18 inches wide |
| Bloom | Starts early May, peaks late May, high rebloom |
| Hardiness | USDA zones 7a to 9b |
| Fragrance | Bold, resinous and herbal with camphor and eucalyptus-like notes |
| Culinary | Not recommended; grow it as an ornamental |
What makes Spanish lavender different
Spanish lavenders come from warmer, Mediterranean-type climates. They bloom earlier than English lavender, rebloom more readily and have a sharper, piney scent. The tradeoff is cold tolerance: they are generally less hardy than English lavender, so a zone 5 or 6 winter in the ground is usually the end of the road. The Botanical Groups page explains how the main lavender families compare.
Growing it in a container
At 16 by 18 inches, Purple Ribbon is a tidy size for a 10- to 14-inch pot. Use a container with drainage holes and a gritty, fast-draining potting mix; adding some coarse sand or fine gravel helps. Place it where it gets full sun most of the day, such as a south-facing step or deck rail.
- Watering: water thoroughly, then let the top inch or two dry before watering again. Never leave the pot sitting in a saucer of water.
- Feeding: a light hand. A little diluted fertilizer in spring is plenty in a pot.
- Deadheading: snip faded heads back to a leaf pair. With its high rebloom rating, this keeps new flags coming.
Getting it through winter
Before your first hard frost, move the pot into a bright, cool room, an enclosed porch or a sunny window that stays cool. Water sparingly over winter, just enough to keep the roots from drying out completely. Move it back outside after your frost danger passes; the Frost Date Estimator gives you a target date.
In zones 7 and warmer it can live in the ground in a sunny bed with excellent drainage, where it makes a bushy edging plant.
Using the flowers
Purple Ribbon is rated good as a cut flower, so short stems tucked into a small vase or a mixed bouquet hold their shape well. It dries only fairly, since the bracts tend to fade and curl, so enjoy it fresh. It is also rated great for pollinators, and an early-blooming pot by the door will draw bees before many garden flowers open. Culinary use is not recommended.
Frequently asked questions
Can Purple Ribbon survive a Michigan winter outdoors?
Usually not. It is rated for zones 7a to 9b. In colder areas, grow it in a container and bring it indoors for winter, or enjoy it as a seasonal plant.
Why are the flags turning brown?
Bracts fade naturally as each head ages. Cut spent heads off to tidy the plant and encourage the next flush.
Can I cook with it?
No. Spanish lavender has a strong camphor character and is best grown as an ornamental. Choose an English lavender for the kitchen.
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