Use & Care NotesLavender Plants
Sugarberry Ruffles Lavender: Bold Pink Spanish Lavender Up Close
Save
Sugarberry Ruffles lavender is the pink Spanish lavender for people who want their lavender to make an entrance. Its chunky flower heads are topped with bright pink bracts, the plant stays bushy and compact, and the fragrance is strong and resinous rather than sweet.
As a Lavandula stoechas, it blooms early, keeps reblooming and does not need a winter chill to flower. It is rated for USDA zones 7a to 9b, which is warmer than most Michigan gardens, so here it shines in pots, window boxes and patio planters.
Sugarberry Ruffles at a glance
| Trait | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Botanical name | Lavandula stoechas 'Sugarberry Ruffles' |
| Flower color | Pink |
| Foliage | Gray-green |
| Size | About 24 inches tall and 30 inches wide |
| Bloom | Starts early May, peaks late May, high rebloom |
| Hardiness | USDA zones 7a to 9b |
| Fragrance | Strong, resinous and herbal with eucalyptus-like notes |
| Best uses | Fragrance, pollinators, containers, cut stems |
The scent is different, on purpose
Spanish lavender does not smell like the lavender in a bar of soap. Brush the leaves of Sugarberry Ruffles and you get a bold, piney, camphor-and-eucalyptus scent, closer to rosemary than to a sachet. Some people love it on a hot patio; others prefer the sweeter English types for drying. It helps to know which camp you are in before you order.
That bold profile is also why Spanish lavender is grown as an ornamental. Its culinary use is not recommended, and its oil rating is weak, so think of it as a garden and patio plant first.
Where it fits
In zone 7 and warmer, use it at the front of a sunny border, along a dry walkway or in a gravel garden. In colder regions, put it where you will see it every day: a big pot by the back door, a pair of planters flanking the steps, or a deck rail box. Its pollinator rating is great, so expect bees to find it quickly, and deer tend to leave it alone.
Pink pairs nicely with silver foliage and with white Spanish lavenders such as Willowbridge Snow. For a contrast in shape, plant it near an upright English lavender in the garden bed and keep Sugarberry in the pot beside it.
Care that keeps it blooming
- Drainage first: a fast-draining mix or sandy, gravelly soil. Wet roots are the usual cause of trouble.
- Water: deeply, then let the top of the soil dry. Containers need more frequent checks in midsummer.
- Deadheading: snip faded heads back to leafy growth. With a high rebloom rating, it rewards regular tidying.
- Shaping: after the big spring flush, trim lightly to keep the plant compact. Avoid cutting into bare wood.
- Winter: below zone 7, move the pot to a bright, cool, frost-free spot before a hard freeze and water sparingly.
Cutting stems
Sugarberry Ruffles has a good cut-flower rating and a large-bundle U-pick rating, so a well-grown plant gives plenty to cut. The heads hold their color best fresh; drying is rated fair, so expect some fading. Cut in the morning and put stems straight into cool water.
Choosing a plant size
It is offered as 3-inch plugs, 4-inch pots and 1-gallon pots. For containers, a gallon pot fills the space quickly. See the product page for current sizes and availability, and use Notify Me there if a size is not ready.
Frequently asked questions
Is Sugarberry Ruffles hardy in Michigan?
It is rated for USDA zones 7a to 9b, so it is not reliably hardy in most Michigan gardens. Grow it in a container and protect it from hard frost.
Why does my Spanish lavender smell like eucalyptus?
That is normal. Spanish lavenders have a bold, resinous scent with camphor and eucalyptus-like notes, unlike the sweet scent of English lavender.
How do I keep it from getting leggy?
Deadhead through the season and give it a light shaping trim after the main spring bloom. Plenty of sun also keeps growth tight.
Share how it went in your field