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Topped Lavender, Bush Lavender, Italian Lavender

Topped Lavender, Bush Lavender, Italian Lavender
Photo: © immij pty ltd
Invasive Plant
Topped Lavender, Bush Lavender, Italian Lavender
Lavandula stoechas
 

An erect or spreading, aromatic shrub with silver-grey foliage growing to 1 m high by 1 m wide. Purple flowers are packed in tight, upright clusters at tips of branches from July to December. Each flower cluster has 4–6 distinctive flags at the top, usually purple but sometimes pink or white. It occurs as a weed of neglected areas, poor pastures and grassy woodland throughout southern Western Australia.

 

Important note. Lavenders are valuable, reliable, sought after garden shrubs. They remain extremely important crops for the perfume, therapeutic, florist, home garden and craft industries.

Whilst topped lavender has proven invasive, other Lavenders continue to be highly recommended.

TIP: Removing spent flower heads immediately after flowering can avoid seed spread.

 
 
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Alternative Plants

Avonview Lavender
Photo: © immij pty ltd
Alternative Plant Avonview Lavender
Lavandula stoechas 'Avonview'
Trees and Shrubs
 

This vigorous but compact hybrid selection of lavender provides a brilliant display of deep purple flower spikes and aromatic foliage over many months. It grows 0.8 m high by 0.6 m wide. Ideal for pots, hedging and cottage gardens. It prefers a well-drained soil in full-sun. Responds well to pruning after flowering to maintain shape. Once established it is drought hardy.

English Lavender
Photo: © immij pty ltd
Alternative Plant English Lavender
Lavandula angustifolia
Trees and Shrubs
 

English Lavender is commonly grown to be used as fresh cut flowers and/or bunches of dried stems, it is also used for pot pourri. There are numerous hybrids available with various hues of colour and fragrance. Summer flowering, it will grow to almost 1 m high by 1.2 m wide. Prefers an open full-sun position. It is frost tolerant and once established drought tolerant. Suitable for hedging, borders, pots and coastal gardens. Ask your local garden centre for advice about the best Lavenders for your garden.

French Lavender
Photo: Delwyn Thomas
Alternative Plant French Lavender
Lavandula dentata
Trees and Shrubs
 

Attractive small evergreen shrub to 1.5 m high by 1.5 m wide. Grown for its aromatic soft grey-green foliage and heads of perfumed mauve-purple flowers and bracts in winter/spring and sporadically throughout the year. Thrives in a sunny, well-drained position and may be lightly pruned at any time. Ideal for pots, hedging and cottage gardens. Excellent cut flowers.

 
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