Product Field NotesLavender Plants
Violeta Purple Lavender: Big Flowers on a Small, Vigorous Plant
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Violeta Purple lavender packs large flowers onto a small frame. This Spanish lavender is documented as vigorous and repeat flowering, with large purple flower heads on an upright plant about 16 inches tall and wide. The foliage is gray-green, and the scent is bold and resinous, the way Spanish lavender should smell.
It is a Lavandula stoechas in the Violeta series and is rated for USDA zones 7a to 9a. It starts blooming in early May and peaks in early June in mild conditions.
Violeta Purple at a glance
| Trait | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Botanical name | Lavandula stoechas Violeta Purple |
| Flower color | Purple, large heads |
| Foliage | Gray-green |
| Size | About 16 inches tall and 16 inches wide |
| Bloom | Starts early May, peaks early June, high rebloom |
| Hardiness | USDA zones 7a to 9a |
| Fragrance | Strong, resinous and herbal with camphor and eucalyptus-like notes |
| Best uses | Containers, fragrance, pollinators, small bouquets |
A container-sized Spanish lavender
At about 16 inches each way, Violeta Purple fits comfortably in a mid-size pot, which is exactly where cold-climate gardeners need their Spanish lavender. One plant fills a 10- to 12-inch container; three in a long trough make a purple row on a deck rail. Because it is vigorous and the flowers are large, it gives a full look without needing a big pot.
Its pollinator rating is great, so a pot near the vegetable garden may bring in a few extra bees. Deer generally leave it alone.
Potting it up
- Choose a pot with at least one large drainage hole. Clay or other breathable materials help the mix dry evenly.
- Mix a fast-draining potting soil with a generous share of perlite or coarse grit.
- Set the plant at the same depth it was growing and firm the mix gently.
- Water thoroughly, then wait until the top inch or two dries before watering again.
- Place it in full sun, ideally the warmest, brightest spot you have.
Keeping it in flower
Spanish lavender blooms on new growth and does not need a winter chill. Violeta Purple has a high rebloom rating, so regular deadheading is the main chore: when a wave of heads fades, cut those stems back to the leafy growth. After the spring flush, a light shaping trim keeps it compact. A light spring feeding is plenty; too much fertilizer means leaves instead of flowers.
Winter options
In zones colder than 7a, a hard freeze will finish it outdoors. Move the pot into a bright, cool, frost-free place before then, water sparingly through winter and move it back outdoors after your last frost. Its compact size makes it easier to find room for on a sunny windowsill than a larger Spanish lavender. Or grow it as a long-blooming seasonal plant and start fresh each year.
Cutting
Stems are short, but the large heads make a bold statement in a small vase. Cut-flower rating is good and it is rated for large bundles; dried flowers are rated fair, so it is better fresh. As an ornamental Spanish lavender, it is not recommended for cooking.
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
What size pot does Violeta Purple need?
A 10- to 12-inch pot with good drainage suits one plant at its mature size of about 16 inches.
Is it hardy in Michigan?
It is rated for zones 7a to 9a, so it needs winter protection indoors in most Michigan gardens.
How is it different from Violeta Purple XL?
By their listings, Violeta Purple is a bit smaller with gray-green foliage, while the XL is taller with silver foliage.
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