Use & Care NotesLavender Plants
Strawberry Ruffles Lavender: Pink Bracts for Pots and Patios
Save
Strawberry Ruffles lavender is a Spanish lavender with a sense of humor. Each short, plump flower head wears a topknot of soft pink to mauve petal-like bracts, the ruffles of its name, and the plant keeps producing them in waves from late spring into summer. It does not taste like strawberries, so please do not put it on your shortcake.
Botanically it is Lavandula stoechas 'Strawberry Ruffles', part of the Ruffles series and introduced in 2007. Its listed parents are two other Spanish lavenders, 'Winter Lace' and 'Boysenberry Ruffles'.
Strawberry Ruffles at a glance
| Trait | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Botanical name | Lavandula stoechas 'Strawberry Ruffles' |
| Flowers | Pink to mauve, with mid-pink ruffled bracts on short stems |
| Foliage | Gray-green |
| Size | About 24 inches tall and 32 inches wide in the ground |
| Bloom | Starts early May, peaks late May, high rebloom |
| Hardiness | USDA zones 8a to 8b |
| Fragrance | Moderate |
| Best uses | Pollinators, containers, fresh bouquets, dried flowers |
How Spanish lavender differs
If you are used to English lavender, Spanish lavender looks like a cousin who dressed up for the party. Instead of long, slim spikes, it carries short, chunky heads crowned with sterile bracts that flutter like little flags. It blooms earlier, it reblooms more freely, and it does not need a cold winter to set flowers.
The trade-off is cold tolerance. Spanish lavenders are generally much less hardy than English types, and Strawberry Ruffles is rated only for zones 8a to 8b. In West Michigan that means it is a patio plant, not a hedge.
Growing it in a container
- Pot: choose one with a large drainage hole, at least a few inches wider than the root ball. Terracotta dries out faster than plastic, which lavender appreciates.
- Mix: use a fast-draining potting mix lightened with coarse grit or perlite. Skip saucers that hold standing water.
- Sun: full sun, six hours or more. A south- or west-facing patio is ideal.
- Water: water thoroughly, then wait until the top inch or two is dry. Pots dry faster than beds in July, so check more often in heat.
- Feeding: a light dose of balanced fertilizer in spring is plenty.
Keeping the ruffles coming
Strawberry Ruffles has a high rebloom rating. As each wave of flower heads fades and the bracts brown, snip the stems back to the leafy growth. That tidy-up is what prompts the next flush. A light shaping trim after the main spring bloom keeps the plant dense instead of leggy.
Winter options
Before a hard frost, bring the pot into a bright, cool, frost-free place such as a sunny unheated porch or a cool room by a bright window. Water sparingly over winter, just enough to keep the roots from drying out completely, and move it back outside after your last frost. The Frost Date Estimator helps with the timing. Many gardeners simply enjoy it for one long season, and that is a perfectly good choice too.
Cutting and pairing
The short stems are best for small arrangements: a juice glass on the table, a bud vase by the sink, or tucked into a mixed posy. The flower heads also dry well. Spanish lavender is grown as an ornamental, so it is not recommended for cooking. For a pot combination, pair it with a white Spanish lavender or a silver-leaved herb for contrast.
Choosing a plant size
It is offered as 3-inch plugs, 4-inch pots and 1-gallon pots. A gallon pot gives the fullest display on a patio the first season. See the product page for current sizes and availability, or use Notify Me there.
Frequently asked questions
Can I plant Strawberry Ruffles in the ground in Michigan?
It is rated for zones 8a to 8b, so it will not reliably survive a Michigan winter outdoors. Grow it in a container you can move, or enjoy it as a seasonal plant.
What is the difference between Strawberry Ruffles and Sweetberry Ruffles?
They share the same listed parents and series. Strawberry Ruffles leans pink to mauve, while Sweetberry Ruffles shifts from peach to pink to red-purple as its bracts age.
Can I cook with it?
No. Spanish lavender is best grown as an ornamental. For baking, choose an English lavender from the Lavender Plant Library.
Share how it went in your field