Lavandula stoechas is a dense, evergreen, shrub that has become a very popular garden plant due to its striking displays of butterfly headed flowers.
These include 'Helmsdale' with burgundy flowers; 'Willow Vale' Magenta bracts at top of a flower head of purple flowers; 'Kew Red' deep red/pink flower heads and a top knot of pale pink bracts.
It has grey/green, narrow leaves that are very aromatic and bears very aromatic burgundy/purple/pink flowers on the end of 20cm spikes from autumn through to spring.
It is slightly frost hardy, prefers a sheltered position, will put up with dry conditions and makes a good edge to a border or pathway.
The flowers, when cut, will dry well to make pot pourri or just sprinkle into clothes drawers.
This is a flowered shrub to be viewed with the light behind it - as when the light catches the tops it glows quite spectacularly.