{"product_id":"bella-blue-italian-lavender-lavandula-stoechas-bella-blue","title":"Bella Blue Italian Lavender - Lavandula stoechas 'Bella Blue'","description":"\u003cp\u003eBella Blue Italian Lavender (\u003cem\u003eLavandula stoechas\u003c\/em\u003e 'Bella Blue') is a compact, Australian bred lavender about 50cm high and wide. Very dark purple flowers with lilac purple tufts sit over narrow green foliage, and in milder climates the flowering runs from autumn to spring. It is small enough for a pot and tidy enough for the front of a border.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhy you'll love it\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eA long flowering season.\u003c\/strong\u003e In milder climates it blooms from autumn right through to spring.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDark, rich colour.\u003c\/strong\u003e Very dark purple flowers with lilac tufts give strong contrast against pale foliage plants.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSmall and tidy.\u003c\/strong\u003e A 50cm mound suits pots, edging and tight spots.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHeat and drought tolerant.\u003c\/strong\u003e It handles heat and dry weather and should survive a light overnight frost once established.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eGood for picking.\u003c\/strong\u003e Cut stems last in a vase, and the flowers dry well for arrangements and potpourri.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhere it works best\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCutting and herb gardens.\u003c\/strong\u003e Plant 40cm apart in a sunny bed near the kitchen door and you will have stems to pick through the long season.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLow edging.\u003c\/strong\u003e A single row at 40cm spacing makes a knee high stepover hedge beside a path.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePots and the front of a border.\u003c\/strong\u003e At 50cm it sits comfortably in a pot, a courtyard bed or ahead of taller flowers.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eGrowing Bella Blue Italian Lavender in Australia\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePosition and climate.\u003c\/strong\u003e Sun and sharp drainage are what it asks for. It does best in cool dry climates, copes with heat, and should survive a light overnight frost once established. Lower light is tolerated, but there will be fewer flowers.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSoil.\u003c\/strong\u003e Avoid wet feet. On clay, build up the bed with grit, or grow it in a pot where you control the mix.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWater and feed.\u003c\/strong\u003e Mulch and water regularly for the first 12 weeks, then reduce. Fertilise once a year after flowering with a slow release fertiliser, and avoid heavy feeding that gives soft growth.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePruning.\u003c\/strong\u003e Prune twice a year, taking only about a third of the foliage and staying clear of old wood, to keep the mound compact.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhat to expect when it arrives\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe sell Bella Blue Italian Lavender as tube stock, a young plant in an 80mm deep tube that establishes quickly. Tube stock is the simple way to fill a bed or a row of pots, and it establishes well in warm weather. Young plants arrive packed for the journey, so unbox them on the day and water them in. Expect a small plant, with flowers following once it has put on growth.\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\"\u003eExplore our lavender collection\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/blogs\/blog\/lavender-care-guide-australia\"\u003eLavender care guide for Australia\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/blogs\/blog\/perennial-plants-for-a-cottage-garden\"\u003ePerennial plants for a cottage garden\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/collections\/plants-for-small-gardens\"\u003ePlants for small gardens\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eCommon questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWhen does Bella Blue flower?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn milder climates the season runs from autumn to spring, and that is when the plant is at its showiest.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eHow do I dry the flowers?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCut stems as the flowers open, tie them in small bunches and hang them upside down somewhere airy and shaded. Dried stems suit arrangements and potpourri.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eDoes it need full sun?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes, for the best display. It tolerates lower light, but flowering is reduced.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eIs it safe around pets?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNot completely. Lavender can cause an upset stomach in dogs and cats if they chew much of it, so we do not call it pet friendly. Most pets leave it alone.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nursery Near Me","offers":[{"title":"Tube (Backorder)","offer_id":67787261870399,"sku":"LAV-STO-BELLAB-tube","price":15.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0691\/2917\/5359\/files\/bella-blue-italian-lavender-lavandula-stoechas-bella-blue.jpg?v=1792154711","url":"https:\/\/nurserynearme.com.au\/products\/bella-blue-italian-lavender-lavandula-stoechas-bella-blue","provider":"Nursery Near Me","version":"1.0","type":"link"}