Lavandula stoechas

Lavender is one of the most popular small garden shrubs. Plants have narrow, oily and aromatic evergreen leaves and bear dense spikes of small tubular flowers in summer.

Lavandula stoechas is commonly referred to as French lavender. It’s an aromatic dwarf shrub with narrow, greyish leaves, and bears dense, oval heads of small purple flowers topped with with a tuft of purple bracts. The Royal Horticultural Society has given it its prestigious Award of Garden Merit (AGM).

For best results, grow Lavandula stoechas in well-drained soil in full sun. Cut back the flower stalks after they have finished, and then trim back plants in April, if necessary.