Product Field NotesLavender Plants
Willow Vale Mauve Lavender: Reddish-Purple Flags on Tall Stems
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Willow Vale Mauve lavender belongs to a lavender group many gardeners have never met. It is a Lavandula pedunculata, sometimes called butterfly lavender, a close relative of Spanish lavender known for flower heads held up on long, bare stalks. This one is documented as a vigorous, upright evergreen with yellow-green leaves, deep violet flowers and reddish-purple bracts fluttering on top.
It has earned the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit. It is rated for USDA zones 7a to 9b, and its UK hardiness rating of H3 signals a plant that needs protection from hard frost.
Willow Vale Mauve at a glance
| Trait | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Botanical name | Lavandula pedunculata 'Willow Vale Mauve' |
| Flowers | Deep violet-purple with reddish-purple bracts |
| Foliage | Yellow-green to green, evergreen |
| Size | About 31 inches tall and 20 inches wide |
| Bloom | Starts early May, peaks late May, high rebloom |
| Hardiness | USDA zones 7a to 9b |
| Fragrance | Strong, resinous and herbal with camphor and eucalyptus-like notes |
| Award | RHS Award of Garden Merit |
What makes pedunculata different
Like Spanish lavender, L. pedunculata carries short, plump flower heads topped with petal-like bracts. The difference is in the stalk: the heads sit on longer, slender peduncles above the leaves, which gives the plant an airy, fluttering look, like little flags on poles. Willow Vale Mauve adds an upright, vigorous habit and unusual yellow-green foliage that contrasts nicely with its dark flowers.
It does not need a winter chill to bloom and has a high rebloom rating, so with deadheading it can flower in waves through the warm season. Its pollinator rating is great, and deer tend to avoid it.
Growing it in a cold climate
Zones 7a to 9b means it will not reliably survive a Michigan winter outdoors. The practical approach is a container:
- Pot: a tall pot at least 12 to 14 inches wide suits its upright, 31-inch habit. Make sure it has a large drainage hole.
- Mix: fast-draining potting mix with extra grit or perlite.
- Sun: full sun in the warmest spot you have.
- Water: deep watering, then let the top inch or two dry. Low water needs once rooted in.
- Winter: before a hard frost, move it to a bright, cool, frost-free room or porch and water sparingly. Bring it back out after your last frost; the Frost Date Estimator helps with timing.
Deadheading and shaping
When a wave of flower heads fades, cut the stalks back to the leafy growth. That cleanup prompts the next flush. After the first big spring bloom, give the whole plant a light trim to keep it from getting leggy. Avoid cutting into old, bare wood, which is slow to resprout.
Using the flowers
The longer stalks make Willow Vale Mauve a little more useful in small arrangements than many Spanish types, and its cut and dried ratings are both good. The reddish-purple bracts add a jewel-toned accent to a mixed jar. Like Spanish lavender, it has a bold, camphor-forward scent and is grown as an ornamental; 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 is Lavandula pedunculata?
It is a lavender species closely related to Spanish lavender, with bract-topped flower heads held on longer stalks. It is sometimes called butterfly lavender.
Is Willow Vale Mauve the same as Willow Vale?
They share part of a name, but they are listed separately: Willow Vale is listed as a Lavandula stoechas, and Willow Vale Mauve as a Lavandula pedunculata. Compare them side by side before choosing.
Can it stay outdoors in winter?
Only in zone 7 and warmer. In colder areas, grow it in a pot and bring it inside before hard frost.
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