Spanish Lavender
All About The Spanish Lavender
While it may be more widely recognized by the name “rabbit ears” or “butterfly”, the Spanish lavender plant has nothing to do with the fluffy little animal or the delicate, winged creature. Rather, the name is descriptive of the shape of the flowers the lavender produces.
The flowers of the Spanish lavender are unique; a lower portion of the flower resembles a tiny pine cone, while the purple top section resembles, well, rabbit ears. In fact, these “flowers” are not flowers at all, but bracts. This variety of lavender loves the warmer regions of USDA zones 8 through 10, where it will bloom midway through springtime and into the summer. In some regions, bloom time will last into early fall. The bracts are fragrant yet larger than the flowers of its cousin, the English lavender.
Spanish lavender is a shrubby plant that grows to about 2 to 3 feet tall. An evergreen plant, the lavender is drought resistant; making it a perfect plant for the hotter regions of the Southwest. The familiar greenish gray foliage of the plant is attractive in home gardens as well as being a fragrant plant. In contrast to the sweet smelling English lavender, the Spanish lavender emits a clean, pine-like scent.
To ensure that your Spanish lavender retains its good shape, begin pruning the plant after it has finished blooming. The remaining plant will still provide great visual interest as well as fragrance for the rest of the year.
As a culinary herb, the sweet, floral and citrus flavored English lavender is delicious used in many recipes including desserts. The Spanish lavender, however, is not of the same taste. Its flavor of eucalyptus and rosemary enhances savory meat dishes when used sparingly, and can be mixed with oils for bread dipping.
What it lacks in culinary finesse, the herb regains in its use of fragrance. Its scent is highly valued enclosed within sachets, or added to baths. The essential oil of the Spanish lavender is used in deodorants, disinfectants and insecticides, and the flowers can be used in making health and beauty aids such as facial cleansers and acne preparations.
To preserve the floral like heads of the Spanish lavender, cut the stems and hang them in a hot, dry room with good ventilation. While the flowery bracts make excellent scented potpourri and sachets, the dried lavender does not hold up well in dried bouquets.
Spanish lavender is the southwestern region’s answer to fragrant herbal garden plants. The deep purple “rabbit ear” shaped floral bracts complement other plants of the region, and the shrub adds a fresh scent to the warm breezes which frequent the area. For a fragrant, hardy and easy to maintain addition to the garden, Spanish lavender fits the bill.