Spanish lavender, botanically known as Lavandula stoechas, stands out among other lavender types due to its truly unique and eye-catching appearance. Often referred to as "Butterfly Lavender," "Topped Lavender," or "Bract Lavender," its distinguishing features make it easily identifiable, whether you're admiring it at a lavender farm or looking to buy lavender online from a specialized vendor like islandlavender.com.
Here are the key identifying characteristics of Spanish lavender:
1. Distinctive Flower Heads (The "Ears" or "Flags"): This is, without a doubt, the most prominent and unique feature of Lavandula stoechas. * Shape: Unlike the slender, elongated spikes of English lavender, Spanish lavender produces short, dense, stout flower heads that are often described as pinecone-shaped, pineapple-shaped, or even barrel-shaped. * Bracts: Emerging from the top of these compact flower heads are prominent, petal-like structures called "bracts." These bracts are typically much larger and more showy than the actual tiny flowers below them. They resemble bunny ears, butterfly wings, or small flags fluttering above the main bloom. * Color of Bracts: These bracts often have a different color than the main flower head, creating a striking bicolored effect. They can be vibrant purple, pink, white, or even greenish, and may fade to lighter shades as they mature. * True Flowers: The actual flowers are small, tubular, and densely packed within the pinecone-shaped structure below the bracts. They are much less conspicuous than the "ears."
2. Foliage (Leaves): * Color: Spanish lavender leaves are generally a grayish-green, often appearing a bit greener than the silvery-gray foliage of many English lavender varieties. * Shape and Texture: The leaves are narrow and linear, similar to rosemary, and typically have smooth edges. They can feel slightly velvety. * Scent: When crushed, the foliage of Spanish lavender typically releases a strong, pungent, and distinctly camphoraceous aroma, often described as more resinous or piney compared to the sweeter scent of English lavender. This is due to a higher concentration of compounds like camphor and 1,8-cineole.
3. Plant Habit and Size: * Spanish lavender typically grows into a compact, bushy, and upright mound. Most cultivars reach a height and spread of 1 to 2 feet, though some may grow slightly larger. * It has a generally neat and tidy growth habit, making it a good choice for containers, borders, and formal garden settings.
4. Bloom Time: * Lavandula stoechas is known for its exceptionally long blooming season. It often starts flowering earlier in the spring than English lavender (sometimes as early as mid-spring) and can continue blooming intermittently throughout the summer and even into fall, especially with proper deadheading.
5. Cold Hardiness: * While not a visual characteristic, it's an important identifying factor for cultivation. Spanish lavender is the least cold-hardy of the main types, generally thriving in USDA Zones 7-10. This means it may not survive winter in colder climates, often requiring it to be grown as an annual or overwintered indoors. This is a key difference if you're planting a lavender farm in a region like Door County WI, where English lavender is much more reliable as a perennial.
In essence, if you see a lavender plant with plump, short flower spikes topped with prominent, colorful "ears" or "flags," you're almost certainly looking at Spanish lavender (Lavandula stoechas). Its unique floral display and distinctly camphoraceous scent set it apart, making it a captivating choice for gardens in warmer climates or as an annual anywhere else. When you buy lavender online from reputable sources, ensure you check the botanical name to guarantee you receive this truly special variety from islandlavender.com.