Bee Romantic Italian Lavender

Bee Romantic Italian Lavender (Lavandula stoechas 'Bee Romantic') is a large, free flowering lavender, about 1.5m high and wide, made for relaxed hedges and big drifts. Deep pink purple flowers carry large, lighter pink tufts above narrow green foliage. Bred in Australia, it copes with humid districts better than most lavenders when airflow and drainage are good.

Why you'll love it

• A lavender with presence. Few lavenders grow this big, so a single plant fills a corner or anchors a bed.
• Big, showy flowers. Deep pink purple heads with generous pale pink tufts are bold and fragrant.
• Humidity tolerance. The Bee range has better tolerance of humidity, so it copes in damp districts when the soil drains freely and air moves through the plant.
• Heat and drought tolerant. It handles heat and dry spells, and should survive a light overnight frost once established.
• Butterflies and bees. Both favour the flowers, so it brings life to the garden through the flowering season.

Where it works best

Big, blousy hedges. Plant 1m apart to build a relaxed flowering hedge up to 1.5m high. It looks best loose, so trim lightly rather than clipping it into a formal block.

Drifts along boundaries. Repeat plants 1m apart along a sunny fence or driveway edge to fill a long run with scent and colour.

Rockeries and large pots. On a gravel slope or in a big container it gets the drainage it wants, and the bush shape suits a feature position.

Growing Bee Romantic Italian Lavender in Australia

Position and climate. Choose a sunny spot with free draining soil and room for air to move through the plant. It is right at home in cool dry climates, and also copes with humid ones when the soil drains freely and the planting is not crowded. It handles heat and drought, and should survive a light overnight frost once established.

Soil. Free drainage matters more than fertility. On heavy ground, plant on a gravelly mound, and keep bark mulch away from the stems.

Water and feed. Mulch and water regularly for the first 12 weeks, then back off. Feed once a year after flowering with a slow release fertiliser. Rich feeding gives floppy growth rather than flowers.

Pruning. Prune twice a year, taking no more than a third of the foliage and never cutting into bare wood. A large lavender left unpruned splits open in the middle, so keep up the light trims.

What to expect when it arrives

We sell Bee Romantic Italian Lavender as tube stock, a young plant in an 80mm deep tube that establishes quickly. Tube stock is the economical way to plant a long hedge, and the plant grows into its 1.5m frame over a few seasons. Unpack promptly, water the plants well and plant out within a week or so. Expect a small, narrow leaved plant first, with the big flowering display arriving as it matures.

Plants are delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95. Every plant is covered by our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.

Plant care guides and related reading

• Browse all of our lavender
• Lavender care guide for Australian gardens
• Plants for mass planting
• Bee and butterfly friendly plants

Common questions

How big does Bee Romantic get?

Around 1.5m high and wide, bigger than most Italian lavenders. Allow space for it, and plant 1m apart for a hedge.

Can I cut it back hard if it gets leggy?

No. Lavender does not reshoot from bare grey wood. Trim lightly twice a year and always cut above green leaves.

Will it grow in a humid climate?

It copes better than most lavenders, provided the soil drains freely and there is good airflow. Space plants properly and avoid overhead watering.

Is it safe for dogs and cats?

Not completely. The plant is mildly toxic to both, so we do not list it as pet friendly. A pet that chews a lot of it may be sick, though most animals ignore it.