{"product_id":"bee-brilliant-italian-lavender-lavandula-stoechas-bee-brilliant","title":"Bee Brilliant Italian Lavender - Lavandula stoechas 'Bee Brilliant'","description":"\u003cp\u003eBee Brilliant Italian Lavender (\u003cem\u003eLavandula stoechas\u003c\/em\u003e 'Bee Brilliant') is an upright, grey leaved lavender that grows 60cm to 1m high and wide. In spring and summer it carries deep purple flowers with long tufts above narrow, fragrant foliage. It is also sold as Madrid Purple, and next to the classic Avonview it is more upright and greyer in leaf.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhy you'll love it\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDeep purple flowers.\u003c\/strong\u003e Dark heads with long tufts show up strongly against the grey green leaves.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAn upright, tidy habit.\u003c\/strong\u003e The more upright form makes a neater hedge or border than a sprawling lavender.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eQuick and easy.\u003c\/strong\u003e It is easy care and fast growing, which suits a gardener who wants a result without fuss.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eScent for the house.\u003c\/strong\u003e Cut stems can go in a vase, or be dried for arrangements and potpourri.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eGood for bees.\u003c\/strong\u003e Bees and butterflies work the flowers through spring and summer.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhere it works best\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLow hedging.\u003c\/strong\u003e Plant 60cm apart in a single row for a fragrant hedge up to 1m high. Trim after each flush of flowers to keep it dense.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCottage gardens.\u003c\/strong\u003e Weave it through roses and perennials, where the grey foliage ties mixed colours together.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRockeries and pots.\u003c\/strong\u003e Sunny rockeries, gravel beds and large terracotta pots suit its need for sharp drainage.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eGrowing Bee Brilliant Italian Lavender in Australia\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePosition and climate.\u003c\/strong\u003e Full sun and open, airy ground. It prefers drier climates and tolerates light frost, so it suits warm temperate, cool temperate, Mediterranean and dry inland gardens. Where frosts are regular, give it a little cover on the coldest nights. Lower light is tolerated, but flowering suffers.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSoil.\u003c\/strong\u003e Sharp drainage is the one non negotiable. On clay, build a mound 20cm to 30cm high from a gritty mix and plant into that, because a hole filled with compost holds water like a bowl.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWater and feed.\u003c\/strong\u003e Water regularly for the first 12 weeks while it establishes, then ease off. Gravel mulch suits it better than bark. Feed once a year after flowering with a slow release fertiliser.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePruning.\u003c\/strong\u003e Prune twice a year, removing no more than a third of the foliage and staying out of old wood. Lavender will not reshoot from bare grey stems, so always cut above green leaves.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhat to expect when it arrives\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe sell Bee Brilliant Italian Lavender as tube stock, a young plant in an 80mm deep tube that establishes quickly. Tube stock is the thrifty way to plant a hedge, and it settles in quickly. Open the box on arrival, check the plants and water them in before planting out. Expect a small, grey leaved plant rather than one in full flower, with the first big show following as it bulks up.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePlants are delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95. Every plant is covered by our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003ePlant care guides and related reading\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/collections\/lavender\"\u003eBrowse the full lavender range\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/blogs\/blog\/lavender-care-guide-australia\"\u003eLavender care guide for Australian gardens\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/blogs\/blog\/how-to-create-a-great-hedge-and-keep-it-looking-sharp\"\u003eHow to create a great hedge and keep it sharp\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/collections\/fragrant-plants\"\u003eMore fragrant plants\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eCommon questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eIs Bee Brilliant the same as Madrid Purple?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt is sold under both names, so labels vary between sources. It resembles the classic Avonview, but it is more upright and has greyer foliage.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eHow far apart should I plant it for a hedge?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAbout 60cm apart in a single row. Wider spacing leaves gaps for years, and crowding restricts airflow and invites fungal problems.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eDoes it cope with frost?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt tolerates light frost. In districts with regular frosts, plant it in a sheltered, sunny spot and cover it on the coldest nights.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eIs it safe for pets?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNot entirely. Lavender can upset the stomach of a dog or cat if a lot is eaten, so we do not class it as pet friendly. Most animals leave the foliage alone.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nursery Near Me","offers":[{"title":"Tube (Backorder)","offer_id":67787260657983,"sku":"LAV-STO-BEEBRI-tube","price":15.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0691\/2917\/5359\/files\/bee-brilliant-italian-lavender-lavandula-stoechas-bee-brilliant.jpg?v=1792154685","url":"https:\/\/nurserynearme.com.au\/products\/bee-brilliant-italian-lavender-lavandula-stoechas-bee-brilliant","provider":"Nursery Near Me","version":"1.0","type":"link"}