Lavandula stoechas 'Toscane' - French Lavender

This compact, fragrant lavender variety is a stunning addition to your garden, with vibrant purple blooms topped by distinctive, petal-like bracts. Lavandula stoechas ‘Toscane’ is a hardy perennial that thrives in full sun and well-drained soil, offering colour and fragrance throughout the warmer months. It’s ideal for creating borders, containers, or as a decorative hedge.

Lavandula stoechas ‘Toscane’, or French Lavender, is known for its unique flower structure—each bloom features bright purple petals with contrasting silvery-grey bracts. Unlike English lavender, Lavandula stoechas has a more compact form and is well-suited to smaller gardens or containers. The aromatic foliage releases a lovely fragrance, making it a popular choice for creating scented garden spaces or as a natural pest repellent.

Scientific Name
Lavandula stoechas ‘Toscane’ (French Lavender, variety: Toscane)

Common Name
French Lavender

Origin
Native to the Mediterranean region, including southern France and Spain.

Pruning Tips
Trim back after flowering to maintain its shape and encourage new growth. In colder climates, prune back in early spring to remove any frost-damaged growth and stimulate fresh, healthy shoots.

Wildlife Value
Attracts bees, butterflies, and other pollinators. The fragrance also repels pests like mosquitoes, making it a useful addition to garden spaces.

Positioning
Place in full sun, as Lavandula stoechas thrives in bright, sunny spots. It also requires well-drained soil to prevent root rot.

Water
Water moderately, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings. Overwatering can lead to root rot, so ensure good drainage.

Soil
Prefers well-drained, slightly alkaline to neutral soil. Sandy or loamy soil works best, and it tolerates poor soil once established.

Food
Feed once in early spring with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer to support new growth. Avoid excessive fertilisation, as this can reduce the plant’s ability to bloom.

Pet-safe
Yes, non-toxic to pets.

Sprouts Top Tips
Lavandula stoechas ‘Toscane’ is perfect for creating a fragrant border or growing in pots for patios and balconies. Trim back after flowering to keep the plant compact and to encourage a second flush of blooms in late summer. It can be slightly frost-sensitive, so consider moving potted plants indoors or to a sheltered spot during very cold weather.