{"product_id":"bee-pretty-italian-lavender-lavandula-stoechas-bee-pretty","title":"Bee Pretty Italian Lavender - Lavandula stoechas 'Bee Pretty'","description":"\u003cp\u003eBee Pretty Italian Lavender (\u003cem\u003eLavandula stoechas\u003c\/em\u003e 'Bee Pretty') is a small, bushy lavender that stays near 50cm high and wide. Bright red purple flowers with pink tufts sit over narrow green foliage, and the scent is as good as the colour. It was bred in Australia, and it handles humidity better than many lavenders.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhy you'll love it\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCompact size.\u003c\/strong\u003e At about 50cm it fits the front of a mixed border, a small garden or a pot on a balcony.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eA warm tone.\u003c\/strong\u003e Red purple flowers with pink tufts read warmer than the usual blue purple lavender, which brightens a sunny cottage palette.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBetter with humidity.\u003c\/strong\u003e The Australian bred Bee lavenders tolerate humidity better than most, which widens the climates it suits.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHeat and drought tolerant.\u003c\/strong\u003e It takes heat and dry weather, and should survive a light overnight frost once established.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eA pollinator favourite.\u003c\/strong\u003e Bees and butterflies are drawn to the fragrant flowers.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhere it works best\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eStepover hedging.\u003c\/strong\u003e Plant 40cm apart for a knee high edge along a path or bed. At that spacing the plants meet into a continuous low band.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe front of the border.\u003c\/strong\u003e Set it ahead of taller perennials and roses, where its small frame will not hide anything behind it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePots and rockeries.\u003c\/strong\u003e A pot on the patio or a gravel rockery gives it the sharp drainage it wants and keeps the fragrance near the path.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eGrowing Bee Pretty Italian Lavender in Australia\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePosition and climate.\u003c\/strong\u003e Give it full sun and free draining soil. It does well in cool dry climates, handles heat and drought, and should come through a light overnight frost once established. Because it copes with humidity better than most, it is also a fair choice for warmer, damper districts, provided it has airflow and drainage. Lower light is tolerated, but flowering falls away.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSoil.\u003c\/strong\u003e Avoid wet feet. In a pot, use a free draining mix in a container with drainage holes, and terracotta if you can, because it dries the root ball between waterings.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWater and feed.\u003c\/strong\u003e Mulch and water regularly for the first 12 weeks, then ease back. Water at the base in the morning, not overhead, because wet leaves in humid weather invite fungal problems. Feed once a year after flowering.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePruning.\u003c\/strong\u003e Prune twice a year, taking only a third of the foliage and avoiding old wood, to keep the plant compact and bushy.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhat to expect when it arrives\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe sell Bee Pretty Italian Lavender as tube stock, a young plant in an 80mm deep tube that establishes quickly. Tube stock is a good fit for a long edge, and it settles quickly in warm weather. Tubes and small pots travel well, so unpack them straight away and stand them in a bright, sheltered spot while you prepare the ground. Expect a small plant with narrow green leaves, with flowers following once it has bulked 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\"\u003eOur lavender collection\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/collections\/plants-for-pots\"\u003ePlants that thrive in pots\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/collections\/bee-and-butterfly-plants\"\u003eBee and butterfly friendly plants\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/blogs\/blog\/lavender-care-guide-australia\"\u003eA lavender care guide for Australia\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eCommon questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWill it cope with humid summers?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBetter than many lavenders, because the Bee range was bred in Australia for stronger humidity tolerance. Even so, give it full sun, good airflow and sharp drainage, and avoid overhead watering.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eCan I grow it in a pot?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes, at 50cm it suits a pot well. Use a free draining potting mix and a container with drainage holes, and never let it stand in a saucer of water.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eWhat is a stepover hedge?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA hedge low enough to step over, usually about knee height. Plant 40cm apart and trim after each flush of flowers to hold the line.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eIs it pet friendly?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNo. Lavender contains aromatic oils that can cause vomiting in dogs and cats if they eat a good amount, so keep it away from pets that chew plants.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nursery Near Me","offers":[{"title":"Tube (Backorder)","offer_id":67787260723519,"sku":"LAV-STO-BEEPRE-tube","price":15.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0691\/2917\/5359\/files\/bee-pretty-italian-lavender-lavandula-stoechas-bee-pretty.jpg?v=1792154693","url":"https:\/\/nurserynearme.com.au\/products\/bee-pretty-italian-lavender-lavandula-stoechas-bee-pretty","provider":"Nursery Near Me","version":"1.0","type":"link"}