Product Field NotesLavender Plants
Vanessa Leigh Lavender: A Dwarf Dark Violet Spanish Lavender
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Vanessa Leigh lavender is a Spanish lavender in a smaller package. It stays low and mounding, about a foot tall and up to 20 inches wide, with dark green foliage, dark violet flowers and matching violet bracts on top. Its fragrance is described as musky, a little different from both sweet English lavender and the piney scent of many Spanish types.
It is Lavandula stoechas 'Vanessa Leigh', a chance seedling discovered among Spanish lavenders, so its exact parents are unknown. It is rated for USDA zones 7a to 9b.
Vanessa Leigh at a glance
| Trait | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Botanical name | Lavandula stoechas 'Vanessa Leigh' |
| Flowers | Dark violet with violet bracts |
| Foliage | Dark green |
| Size | About 12 inches tall and 20 inches wide |
| Bloom | Starts early May, peaks late May, high rebloom |
| Hardiness | USDA zones 7a to 9b |
| Fragrance | Moderate, musky |
| Best uses | Small containers, pollinators, posies, dried flowers |
Small plant, deep color
Dark green leaves and dark violet flowers give Vanessa Leigh a richer, moodier look than most Spanish lavenders, which often come with gray foliage and lighter bracts. That deep palette pops in a pale container and against light gravel. Its low, spreading mound is also easy to place: the front of a raised bed in a warm zone, a shallow bowl planter, or a window box where taller plants would block the view.
Its pollinator rating is great, and deer usually ignore it.
Container growing
- Pot size: a wide, shallow pot 10 to 12 inches across suits its low spread.
- Mix: fast-draining potting mix with extra grit. Top with fine gravel to keep the crown dry.
- Sun: full sun. A warm, bright spot brings the deepest color.
- Water: water thoroughly and let the top inch dry before the next watering. Small pots dry out quickly in summer.
- Feeding: light, once in spring.
Deadheading and shaping
Spanish lavender does not need a winter chill to flower, and Vanessa Leigh has a high rebloom rating. Snip spent heads back to the foliage as each wave fades, and give the mound a light shaping trim after the first spring flush. Keep cuts in the leafy growth; bare wood is slow to resprout.
Winter care
Below zone 7, bring the pot inside before a hard frost. A cool, bright room or an enclosed porch with good light is ideal. Water sparingly through winter and move it back outdoors after your last frost. The Frost Date Estimator gives you the timing. A compact plant like this is easy to find room for on a sunny sill, which makes overwintering more practical than with larger Spanish lavenders.
Cutting and pairing
Stems are short, so think egg-cup posies and small mixed jars. Cut and dried ratings are both good. Spanish lavender is ornamental and not recommended for cooking. For a striking container pairing, try it with a white Spanish lavender such as Willowbridge Snow, or with a silver-leaved herb that trails over the rim.
Choosing a plant size
It is offered as 3-inch plugs, 4-inch pots and 1-gallon pots. 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
How big does Vanessa Leigh get?
About 12 inches tall and up to about 20 inches wide, making it one of the smaller Spanish lavenders.
What does it smell like?
Its fragrance is described as musky and moderate in strength, different from the sweet scent of English lavender.
Can I leave it outside in Michigan winters?
No. It is rated for zones 7a to 9b. Bring it inside before a hard frost or grow it as a seasonal plant.
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