{"product_id":"pretty-polly-italian-lavender-lavandula-stoechas-pretty-polly","title":"Pretty Polly Italian Lavender - Lavandula stoechas 'Pretty Polly'","description":"\u003cp\u003ePretty Polly Italian Lavender (\u003cem\u003eLavandula stoechas\u003c\/em\u003e 'Pretty Polly') is a compact, fragrant shrub about 50cm tall and wide that pairs dark purple flowers with a plume of white 'ears'. The contrast reads from across the garden, the narrow green leaves are scented, and flowers keep coming from spring through autumn.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhy you'll love it\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTwo-tone flowers.\u003c\/strong\u003e Dark purple flower heads topped with white ears give a crisp contrast that plain purple lavenders cannot match.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eA long season.\u003c\/strong\u003e Flowers appear from spring to autumn, so the bush stays colourful for most of the warm months.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCompact size.\u003c\/strong\u003e At about 50cm it fits borders, courtyards and pots, with no need for room to spare.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBees come calling.\u003c\/strong\u003e The flowers are a magnet for bees, and the scent is a pleasure on a warm path.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCuts and dries well.\u003c\/strong\u003e Stems last in a vase and keep their shape and scent when dried.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhere it works best\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLow hedges and path edging.\u003c\/strong\u003e Plant 40cm apart in a single row. At that spacing the plants touch within a season and make a neat edge about 50cm high along paths and garden beds.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePots and courtyards.\u003c\/strong\u003e A single plant in a 30cm pot of gritty mix brightens an entry, and groups of three make a feature on a sunny patio.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRockeries and cottage beds.\u003c\/strong\u003e It suits dry, sunny banks and sits well with silver foliage plants, pink roses and daisies.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eGrowing Pretty Polly Italian Lavender in Australia\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePosition and climate.\u003c\/strong\u003e Full sun, ideally a sunny, north-facing spot in southern gardens. It suits warm temperate, cool temperate, Mediterranean and dry inland climates. It tolerates light frost once established, particularly in sheltered, sandy sites.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSoil.\u003c\/strong\u003e Free-draining soil on the alkaline side suits it best. If yours is acid, work in a little dolomite, and raise the bed on heavy clay.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWater and feed.\u003c\/strong\u003e Mulch and water regularly for the first 12 weeks, then water sparingly. Feed once a year with slow release fertiliser after flowering.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePruning.\u003c\/strong\u003e Clip over twice a year, removing no more than a third of the foliage and avoiding old wood. This keeps the plant tight and flowering well.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhat to expect when it arrives\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe sell Pretty Polly Italian Lavender as tube stock, a young plant in an 80mm deep tube that establishes quickly. Expect a small, leafy plant that settles in a couple of weeks and fills out over its first season. Availability of the tube depends on our grower. It shows as sold out whenever there is none, and the notify button on this page sends you an email the day plants are back in stock.\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\"\u003eSee 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 Australia\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=\"\/blogs\/blog\/perennial-plants-for-a-cottage-garden\"\u003ePerennials to pair with it in a cottage garden\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eCommon questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eHow far apart should I plant it for a low hedge?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePlant 40cm apart in a single row. The shrubs are about 50cm wide when mature, so they meet in a season without crowding each other.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eAre the white 'ears' the flowers?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThey are bracts, petal-like leaves above the true flowers, which are the small dark purple parts below. Bracts last far longer than petals, which is why the display runs so long.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eIs it safe for pets?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLavender can upset cats and dogs if they eat a lot of it, so we do not list it as pet friendly. Most pets ignore the strong scent, but keep it away from a chewing puppy.\u003c\/p\u003e\n","brand":"Nursery Near Me","offers":[{"title":"Tube (Backorder)","offer_id":67790740848959,"sku":"LAV-STO-PRETTY-tube","price":15.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0691\/2917\/5359\/files\/pretty-polly-italian-lavender-lavandula-stoechas-pretty-polly.jpg?v=1792208840","url":"https:\/\/nurserynearme.com.au\/products\/pretty-polly-italian-lavender-lavandula-stoechas-pretty-polly","provider":"Nursery Near Me","version":"1.0","type":"link"}