Product Field NotesLavender Plants
TWIN SUMMER Lavender: Speckled Violet Bracts on a Spanish Lavender
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TWIN SUMMER lavender has a detail you only notice up close. Its large violet bracts, the petal-like flags on top of each flower head, carry irregular white spots and streaks, and the little flowers underneath are a deep dark violet. From across the yard it reads as purple; from a foot away it looks hand-painted.
It is a Spanish lavender, Lavandula stoechas TWIN SUMMER, introduced in 2020. Its listed parents are 'Giant Summer' and a numbered breeding selection. It grows upright with green foliage and is documented as beginning to flower very early.
TWIN SUMMER at a glance
| Trait | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Botanical name | Lavandula stoechas TWIN SUMMER |
| Flowers | Dark violet flowers under large violet bracts flecked with white |
| Foliage | Green |
| Size | About 24 inches tall and 24 inches wide |
| Bloom | Very early; starts early May, peaks late May, high rebloom |
| Hardiness | USDA zones 7b to 8a |
| Fragrance | Moderate, typical lavender plant scent |
| Best uses | Containers, pollinators, fresh bouquets, dried flowers |
Showing off the speckles
Because its best feature is fine detail, plant TWIN SUMMER where people sit or pass close by. A pot on the patio table, planters along deck stairs or a window box all work. A plain, solid-colored container in white, gray or terracotta lets the speckled bracts stand out instead of competing with a busy pattern.
It also mixes well with other sun-loving container plants that like it dry, such as trailing thyme or a silver-leaved herb spilling over the edge. Its pollinator rating is great, and deer usually pass it by.
Container care
- Pot: at least 12 inches wide with a drainage hole. Raise it slightly on pot feet so water can escape.
- Mix: a fast-draining potting mix with added grit or perlite.
- Light: full sun, six or more hours a day.
- Water: water thoroughly, then let the top inch or two dry. In midsummer heat, containers may need water every couple of days.
- Feeding: a light balanced fertilizer in spring.
Keeping it in bloom
Spanish lavender does not need a winter chill, and TWIN SUMMER is rated high for rebloom. Each time a wave of heads fades, cut those stems back to leafy growth. Documented growing trials report flowering continuing from early summer into September under the right conditions, so steady deadheading pays off. After the first big flush, a light shaping trim keeps the plant upright and full.
Winter in cold regions
With a rating of zones 7b to 8a, TWIN SUMMER will not survive a Michigan winter outdoors. Bring it in before a hard frost to a bright, cool, frost-free spot and water sparingly until spring. Move it back outside after your last frost. Many gardeners grow it as a long-blooming seasonal plant instead, and that works too.
Cutting and drying
The flower heads are short-stemmed, so use them in small vases, posies or as accents in a mixed jar. Cut-flower and dried-flower ratings are both good; the white flecks are most visible fresh. Spanish lavender is grown as an ornamental and is not recommended for cooking.
Choosing a plant size
It is offered as 3-inch plugs, 4-inch pots and 1-gallon pots. A gallon pot fills a patio container right away. See the product page for current sizes and availability, and use Notify Me there if the size you want is not ready.
Frequently asked questions
Why are there white spots on the bracts?
That is the signature of this cultivar. Its large violet bracts carry irregular white spotting and striping.
Is TWIN SUMMER hardy outdoors in Michigan?
No. It is rated for zones 7b to 8a. Grow it in a container you can bring in, or enjoy it for one season.
How often does it rebloom?
It has a high rebloom rating. Deadhead regularly and keep it in full sun for the most flowers.
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