Use & Care NotesLavender Plants
RUYLAS1704 Lavender: Blue-Gray Foliage in a Small Package
Save
RUYLAS1704 lavender is a compact hybrid, Lavandula × cadevallii, that stays under ten inches: about 7.8 inches tall and 9.3 inches wide. Its blue-gray foliage forms a neat little mound, and purple flowers rise above it in spring and keep returning in flushes. The fragrance is moderate and on the bold, resinous side, closer to Spanish lavender than to English.
RUYLAS1704 at a glance
| Trait | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Botanical name | Lavandula × cadevallii 'RUYLAS1704' |
| Flower color | Purple |
| Foliage | Blue-gray |
| Habit | Compact mound |
| Mature size | About 7.8 inches tall and 9.3 inches wide |
| Bloom | Starts early May, peaks late May, high rebloom |
| Hardiness | USDA zones 7a to 10b |
| Fragrance | Moderate; resinous and herbal with camphor notes |
Small and silvery
Blue-gray foliage does a lot of work in a small space. RUYLAS1704 reads as a cool, silvery cushion even between flushes of bloom, so it keeps a container looking finished all season. Pair it with a deep purple petunia, white alyssum or trailing thyme in a mixed pot, or line up three in a narrow trough. It is also a good fit for a strawberry jar or the planting pockets of a sunny wall.
Growing it in a pot
A 6- to 8-inch pot is right for one plant. Use a container with drainage holes and a mix cut with grit or perlite so water passes through quickly.
- Light: full sun outdoors through the warm months.
- Water: water thoroughly, then let the top of the mix dry. Small pots need frequent checks in July and very few drinks in a cool, cloudy week.
- Deadhead: clip spent flower stems back to the foliage. With high rebloom, new flowers follow.
- Trim: after the spring peak, lightly shape the mound to keep it dense.
- Feed: lightly, once in spring.
Winter in cold climates
With a 7a to 10b rating, RUYLAS1704 needs protection from northern winters. Before the first hard frost, move it to a bright, cool room or a sunny window away from heat. Water sparingly; a small lavender in a cool room may only need a drink every week or two. Ease it back outdoors after your last frost. Use the Frost Date Estimator to plan the move.
Uses
It is rated good for fresh and dried flowers and great for pollinators. The short stems suit tiny vases, pressed flowers and dried heads for sachets. Culinary use is not recommended. Mostly, this is a plant to enjoy up close on a table, step or rail, where its silvery leaves and repeat flowers can be seen.
Frequently asked questions
How is RUYLAS1704 different from RUYLAA1701?
Both are small, coded selections with blue-gray foliage. RUYLAS1704 is listed as Lavandula × cadevallii with repeat flushes starting in early May and a zone range of 7a to 10b. RUYLAA1701 is a different hybrid that flowers continuously and is rated down to zone 6a.
Can it stay outdoors all year?
In zones 7a to 10b with sharp drainage, yes. In colder zones, bring it in for winter.
Does it smell like English lavender?
Not quite. Its scent is moderate and more resinous and herbal, with camphor notes.
Share how it went in your field