Product Field NotesLavender Plants
Riverina Gurli Lavender: Pink-Red Blooms on a Low, Wide Mound
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Riverina Gurli lavender is a hybrid lavender with a color you do not see every day: pink-red flowers capped with light pink sterile bracts. It grows into a compact, rounded mound that is much wider than tall, listed at about 16.5 inches high and 37 inches across, with green foliage underneath.
Its exact parentage is unresolved, but the bracts and the bold, resinous scent put it in the Spanish lavender camp in looks and feel.
Riverina Gurli at a glance
| Trait | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Botanical name | Lavandula hybrid 'Riverina Gurli' |
| Parentage | Unresolved |
| Flower color | Pink-red flowers with light pink bracts |
| Foliage | Green |
| Habit | Rounded and compact |
| Mature size | About 16.5 inches tall and 37 inches wide |
| Bloom | Starts early May, peaks late May, high rebloom into summer |
| Hardiness | USDA zone 8b |
| Fragrance | Moderate; resinous and herbal |
Why grow a pink lavender
Pink lavenders soften a planting. Riverina Gurli's warm pink-red tones look lovely next to silver foliage, white flowers or a deep purple lavender, and they bring something new to a patio collection that is all purple. The low, wide shape means it reads as a cushion of color rather than a column, which suits a broad, shallow bowl or the front edge of a raised bed.
Container care
Because it spreads wider than it grows tall, choose a wide pot or a low trough over a deep, narrow container. Make sure there are good drainage holes and use a fast-draining mix with added grit.
- Sun: full sun, ideally six to eight hours or more.
- Water: soak, then let the top of the mix dry. Low water once established.
- Deadhead: snip off faded heads. Its high rebloom rating means fresh flowers follow, and the cultivar documentation notes flowering through spring and summer.
- Trim: a light shaping after the late-May peak keeps it full.
Winter care in cold climates
Zone 8b means Riverina Gurli will not take a hard northern freeze. Before the first frost, bring it into a bright, cool, frost-free space and water sparingly until spring. Good light and dry roots are the goals. Set it back outside after frost danger passes, easing it into full sun over a week or so. The Frost Date Estimator gives you a planning date.
Pairing ideas
A wide, low pot of Riverina Gurli looks especially good beside a taller, silver-leaved plant or a deep purple Spanish lavender in a second pot. White trailing flowers around the rim of a large bowl soften its edge, and gray stone or weathered wood containers bring out its warm pink tones.
Using the flowers
Riverina Gurli has short stems, under two inches, so it is better suited to small posies, bud vases and dried heads for potpourri than to long bundles. It is rated good for both fresh and dried use and great for pollinators. Culinary use is not recommended.
Frequently asked questions
Is Riverina Gurli a Spanish lavender?
It is listed as a hybrid with unresolved parentage. Its bracts and resinous scent are similar to Spanish lavender, and it needs similar care.
Will the pink fade?
Flower and bract color can shift with heat and age. Deadheading older heads keeps the freshest color in view.
Does it attract bees?
Yes. It is rated great for pollinators.
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