Silver Posie Purple Italian Lavender

Silver Posie Purple Italian Lavender (Lavandula stoechas 'Silver Posie Purple') is a tight, neat mound of narrow grey foliage just 50cm tall and 50cm wide. Deep purple flowers topped with long mauve tufts open in spring and summer, and through the year in warmer climates. As a compact lavender it is made for pots, sunny corners and small gardens.

Why you'll love it

• Small and tidy. At 50cm tall and wide it fits where larger lavenders would crowd a path or a doorway.
• Deep purple with mauve tufts. The dark flowers carry long, lighter tufts, so even a small plant puts on a show.
• Silvery, scented foliage. Narrow grey leaves add texture all year, and release their fragrance when brushed.
• Made for containers. The compact shape suits a single pot on a step, a balcony or a patio.
• Hardy for its size. Heat, humidity, drought and cold are all within its range.

Where it works best

Pots and planters. A pot 30cm wide suits one plant. Use gritty potting mix, drainage holes and a spot in full sun, and keep the saucer empty.

Paths and edging. Plant 40cm apart in a row for a low border along a path, driveway or front fence.

Small gardens and rockeries. In courtyards, gravel gardens and rockery pockets it gives structure without taking space.

Growing Silver Posie Purple Italian Lavender in Australia

Position and climate. Full sun for the most flowers and the tightest shape. It tolerates lower light levels, though flowering will be affected. It copes with heat, humidity, drought and cold, but wet soil is its weak point, so choose a spot where water drains away.

Soil. Free draining soil or gritty potting mix. In heavy or humid ground, plant on a low mound with gravel around the base.

Water and feed. Mulch and water regularly for the first 12 weeks. Potted plants dry out faster than those in the ground, so check them weekly. Feed once a year after flowering with a slow release fertiliser.

Pruning. Prune twice a year, removing only a third of the foliage and avoiding old wood. Compact plants like this one stay tight with regular light trims.

What to expect when it arrives

We sell Silver Posie Purple Italian Lavender as tube stock: a young plant in an 80mm deep tube that establishes quickly. Compact growers settle fast, and a plant potted up on arrival is usually in flower within its first warm season.

Tube stock is grown for us and availability varies. When the tube reads sold out, the grower has none, and the notify button on this page sends you an email the day it is back.

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

• Our lavender range
• Plants for small gardens
• Plants for pots
• Lavender care guide for Australian gardens

Common questions

Will it do well in a pot?

Yes, that is one of its best uses. Choose a pot at least 30cm wide with drainage holes, fill it with gritty mix, and place it in full sun with free air movement.

Is Italian lavender a weed risk?

In some places. Lavandula stoechas has naturalised in parts of Victoria and South Australia, so check your local council's list before planting near bushland. A potted plant on a patio is a safe choice.

What soil does it need?

Anything free draining. Wet feet are the main cause of loss, so on clay raise the planting on a mound or keep the plant in a container.