French Lavender

Plant Type: perennial
Plant Height: 1-3 feet
Spread: 1-3 feet
Flower Color: purple
Sun Exposure: Full Sun

French Lavender (Lavandula stoechas) – Fragrant, Drought-Resistant Perennial for Phoenix Valley Gardens

Add elegance and fragrance to your Phoenix Valley landscape with French Lavender, a distinctive evergreen perennial known for its unique, rabbit-ear-like flower bracts and strong lavender scent. Scientifically referred to as Lavandula stoechas, this Mediterranean native brings beauty and sensory appeal to arid landscapes, blooming from late spring to early summer with potential reblooming through fall in favorable conditions. With its drought tolerance and low maintenance needs, French Lavender is a perfect choice for water-wise landscaping in Arizona.

Key Features of French Lavender

French Lavender reaches a height and spread of about 1 to 3 feet, forming a compact, bushy mound of aromatic gray-green foliage. The plant’s narrow, slightly fuzzy leaves emit a strong lavender fragrance when touched, making it a delightful addition to sensory gardens. Its deep purple flower heads, crowned with petal-like bracts that resemble rabbit ears, set French Lavender apart from other lavender varieties, creating a visually striking display that complements Arizona’s sunny, desert-inspired landscapes.

Adapted to full sun, French Lavender thrives in well-draining, sandy, or gravelly soil and is exceptionally drought-tolerant once established. This resilience, combined with its ability to attract bees, butterflies, and pollinators, makes it both a practical and ecological choice for Phoenix Valley gardens.

A Water-Wise Choice for Phoenix Gardens

French Lavender’s drought-tolerant nature makes it an ideal addition to xeriscapes, rock gardens, and sustainable landscapes. It thrives in minimal water, requiring occasional deep watering only during extended dry periods, making it a valuable option for conserving water in Arizona’s arid climate. This plant also prefers slightly alkaline soil, benefiting from sandy or gravelly soil types often found in the Southwest.

Versatile Uses for French Lavender in Phoenix Valley Landscaping

• Borders and Edging: French Lavender’s compact growth and unique blooms make it an attractive border plant, providing a fragrant and colorful edge to pathways and garden beds.

• Herb Gardens: Its Mediterranean heritage and aromatic foliage make French Lavender a perfect addition to herb gardens, where it can be harvested for culinary and aromatic uses.

• Mass Plantings for Visual Impact: Planting French Lavender in groups creates a dramatic effect, especially during its bloom period, offering a lush, colorful display that’s also low-maintenance.

• Container Gardens for Patios and Entryways: French Lavender adapts well to containers, bringing its beautiful blooms and fragrance closer to outdoor living areas like patios, balconies, and doorways.

Care Tips for Growing French Lavender in Phoenix Valley

French Lavender thrives in full sun and well-draining soil. Although drought-tolerant, it benefits from occasional watering during the hottest months for optimal blooms. Light pruning after the initial flowering can encourage a second bloom and maintain a tidy, compact shape. Avoid overwatering, as French Lavender prefers dry conditions once established. For Arizona gardeners seeking a minimal-maintenance plant, French Lavender provides long-lasting beauty and fragrance with very little upkeep.

Why French Lavender is Ideal for Arizona Landscapes

French Lavender offers Phoenix Valley gardeners a fragrant, resilient plant that thrives under intense sunlight and minimal water conditions. Its rabbit-ear-like blooms, aromatic foliage, and ecological benefits make it a standout addition to any desert garden, providing lasting beauty and functionality. Whether used in borders, as part of a herb garden, or in decorative containers, French Lavender brings a touch of Mediterranean charm to Arizona landscapes. For a water-wise, visually engaging plant that supports pollinators and enhances outdoor spaces, French Lavender is an exceptional choice.

Three Timbers Installation Guide (Feel Free to Follow): French Lavender

Planting Guide:

• Location: Full sun (at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily for optimal growth and flowering)
• Soil: Well-drained, sandy or loamy soil (slightly alkaline to neutral soil preferred)
• Spacing: Space plants 2-3 feet apart to allow for proper growth and air circulation
• Planting Depth: Plant at the same depth as the root ball, ensuring the top of the root ball is level with the surrounding soil surface
• Support: French Lavender requires no staking and grows as a compact, bushy shrub with fragrant flowers

Watering Guide:

Watering After Planting:

• Initial Watering: Water thoroughly immediately after planting to saturate the root ball and surrounding soil
• Frequency: Water every 3-4 days for the first 2-3 weeks to help establish the root system
• Watering Amount: Provide 1 inch of water per session for deep watering

When is the Plant Established?

• Timeframe: French Lavender is considered established after 2-3 months when the roots have spread into the surrounding soil

Watering Once Established:

• Summer: Water every 7-10 days during the hotter months. If temperatures exceed 100°F, increase watering to every 5-7 days. Provide 1.5-2 inches of water per session.
• Winter: Water every 3-4 weeks during the cooler months, depending on rainfall.

Drip Irrigation Setup:

• Placement of Emitters: Place the drip emitters 12-18 inches away from the base of the plant to ensure deep watering of the root zone
• Flow Rate: Use emitters with a flow rate of 1-2 gallons per hour
• Number of Emitters: 1 emitter per plant for even watering distribution
• Adjusting Frequency: Increase watering frequency to every 5-7 days in summer, and reduce to every 3-4 weeks in winter