Woolly Lavender (Lavandula lanata): Silver-Felted Foliage from Spanish Mountains

Botanical Profile

Family: Lamiaceae (lay-mee-AY-see-ee)
Genus: Lavandula (lav-AN-dew-lah)
Species: lanata (la-NA-tuh)

Description

Woolly lavender is a distinctive species native to the mountains of southern Spain. It forms a compact, rounded shrub 18–24 inches tall and wide. The leaves are covered in dense, white, woolly hairs (tomentum), giving them a striking silver-white, felt-like appearance—among the most silver of all lavenders. In summer, it produces short spikes of dark purple flowers on long, slender stems that rise well above the foliage.

Cultivation

Requires full sun, exceptional drainage, and alkaline, lean, gritty soil. Very drought tolerant. Hardy in zones 8–10; in cooler zones, grow in containers and overwinter in a cool, bright, dry location. Highly susceptible to root rot in humid climates or heavy soils. Prune lightly after flowering.

Garden Uses

The intensely silver foliage is a spectacular design element for Mediterranean gardens, rockeries, and gravel gardens. Combines beautifully with other silver plants, purple flowers, and blue-green foliage. Flowers for cutting and drying. Highly attractive to bees.

Notes

Parent of the hybrid 'Sawyers' ('Quicksilver'). A challenge in humid climates but rewarding where conditions suit it.