Use & Care NotesLavender Plants
Winter Lace Lavender: The Dark Purple Parent of the Ruffles
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Winter Lace lavender is a compact Spanish lavender with purple to dark purple flower heads and a bold, resinous fragrance. It is also part of lavender family history: 'Winter Lace' is listed as one of the parents of both Strawberry Ruffles and Sweetberry Ruffles, so if you grow those, this is where some of their charm came from.
It is Lavandula stoechas 'Winter Lace', bushy and compact at about 20 inches tall and wide, with gray-green leaves. It is rated for USDA zones 7a to 9b and, in mild climates, starts blooming in mid-April with a peak in early May.
Winter Lace at a glance
| Trait | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Botanical name | Lavandula stoechas 'Winter Lace' |
| Flower color | Purple to dark purple |
| Foliage | Gray-green |
| Size | About 20 inches tall and 20 inches wide |
| Bloom | Starts mid-April, peaks early May, high rebloom |
| Hardiness | USDA zones 7a to 9b |
| Fragrance | Strong, resinous and herbal with camphor and eucalyptus-like notes |
| Best uses | Containers, fragrance, pollinators, cut stems |
About that name
A plant called Winter Lace sounds like it should laugh at a snowstorm. It will not. Spanish lavender is generally much less cold-hardy than English lavender, and Winter Lace is rated for zones 7a to 9b. In mild-winter regions it can bloom very early in the year, which may be where the name feels right. In Michigan, think of it as a patio lavender that spends winter indoors.
Where it fits
At about 20 inches each way, Winter Lace is a comfortable size for a 12- to 14-inch pot. Its dark purple heads look rich in pale containers and next to silver or white plants. Pair it with a white Spanish lavender such as Willowbridge Snow for a crisp two-tone display, or group it with its pink Ruffles offspring for a little family reunion on the deck.
In zone 7 and warmer, it suits the front of a sunny, dry border or a gravel garden. Its pollinator rating is great, and deer tend to avoid it.
Care
- Sun: full sun, six hours or more.
- Soil: gritty, fast-draining mix in pots; sandy or gravelly ground in beds.
- Water: water deeply, then let the top inch or two dry. Low water needs once established.
- Deadheading: clip spent heads back to the foliage after each wave. With a high rebloom rating, it responds well.
- Shaping: lightly trim after the spring flush to keep it compact; avoid bare wood.
- Feeding: a light spring feeding at most.
Overwintering
Before a hard frost, move the pot to a bright, cool, frost-free place: a sunny enclosed porch, a cool room near a south window or a bright basement window well. Water sparingly, just enough to keep the roots from drying out, and watch for leggy growth reaching for light. Trim it back lightly in spring and return it outside after your last frost, using the Frost Date Estimator for timing.
Cutting and scent
Winter Lace is rated good for cut flowers and large bundles, so a healthy plant gives plenty of short stems for small vases. Drying is rated fair. Its bold, camphor-forward scent is great outdoors but not suited to cooking or sweet sachets; Spanish lavender is grown as an ornamental.
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 a size is not ready.
Frequently asked questions
Is Winter Lace winter hardy?
Not in cold climates. It is rated for zones 7a to 9b and needs protection from hard frost in most Michigan gardens.
Is it related to the Ruffles lavenders?
Yes. Winter Lace is listed as a parent of Strawberry Ruffles and Sweetberry Ruffles.
How big a pot does it need?
A 12- to 14-inch pot with good drainage suits its mature size of about 20 inches.
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