French lavender (Lavandula stoechas)
French lavender (Lavandula stoechas) is a shrub that can grow 50cm – 1.5m tall and 50cm – 1.5m wide. In this growing guide we’ll learn the cultivation details and how to plant French lavender (Lavandula stoechas).
This plant has several common names including: French lavender, cassidony, cast-me-down, Spanish lavender, sticadoue or stick-a-dove.
This is a evergreen plant that takes 2-5 years to reach full maturity.
In this article
Plant profile
Common name: French lavender, cassidony, cast-me-down, Spanish lavender, sticadoue, stick-a-dove
Scientific name: Lavandula stoechas
Plant type: Shrubs
Habit: Bushy
Height: 50cm – 1.5m
Spread: 50cm – 1.5m
Foliage: Evergreen
Sunlight: Full Sun
Soil: Chalk, Loam, Sand
Moisture: Well drained
Garden type: City & Courtyard Gardens, Coastal, Informal Garden, Mediterranean Garden, Patio & Container Garden, Rock & Gravel Garden, Wildlife Gardens
Planting type: Flower borders and bedding, Hedging & Screens
Other characteristics: Drought resistant, Plants for pollinators
Seasonal colors
| Season | Stem | Foliage | Flower | Fruit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | ||||
| Summer | ||||
| Autumn | ||||
| Winter |
How to plant French lavender (Lavandula stoechas) – Krzysztof Ziarnek, Kenraiz, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Shrubs are fundamental elements in any garden.
They add color and interest throughout the seasons with their wide variety of flowers, foliage, fruits, trunks and stems.
Whatever the size or style of your garden, the permanent woody structure or the foliage of evergreen shrubs will give the space shape and dimension.
Other types of Lavandula to consider:
See all Lavandula
How to plant
In this section we will learn how to plant French lavender (Lavandula stoechas), know its needs in terms of soil, watering and sun exposure.
Soil
French lavender (Lavandula stoechas) is not a demanding plant regarding the type of soil and can grow in chalk, loam or sand.
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The chalky soil is pale and contains chunks of calcium-rich rock. It is a fertile and well-draining soil, almost always alkaline.
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The loam soil is dark, rich in organic matter but balanced in minerals. It offers the best of all worlds, retaining enough water for the plants, but allowing excess moisture to drain away. This is the most desired type of garden soil, perfect for most plants.
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Sandy soil is light, porous and very easy to drain. It is a soil poor in organic matter and nutrients. It is composed of relatively large mineral particles that allow water to drain quickly.
It is not very sensitive to soil acidity or alkalinity and grows well in soils with pH acid, alkaline or neutral.
Regarding drainage, Lavandula stoechas likes to grow in well drained soil.
Sunlight
French lavender (Lavandula stoechas) should be grown in full sun places.
Cultivation profiles – Growing French lavender (Lavandula stoechas) – User:Xemenendura, CC BY-SA 2.1 ES, via Wikimedia Commons
