Otto Quast Spanish Lavender

Otto Quast Spanish Lavender (Lavandula stoechas 'Otto Quast') is a dramatic, eye-catching perennial shrub producing distinctive dark lavender flower heads topped with large, showy dark purple bracts — often described as rabbit ears — that flutter above a compact mound of aromatic, narrow silver-green foliage with a uniquely bold, architectural quality that sets Spanish lavender apart from all other lavender species. One of the most popular and widely grown Spanish lavender cultivars, Otto Quast delivers exceptionally early bloom, exceptional heat tolerance, and a refined compact habit that makes it outstanding across containers, Mediterranean-style borders, pollinator gardens, and low-water organic landscapes.

Grown from certified organic heritage stock, each plant arrives with a Professional Grade root system — dense, fibrous, and fully established for strong first-season performance. Otto Quast thrives in full sun with excellent drainage and is notably more heat tolerant than English lavender varieties, excelling in warm Mediterranean and coastal California climates where summer temperatures often exclude cooler-season lavender species. Its striking ornamental flower heads and intensely aromatic foliage make it equally valuable as a specimen plant, container focal point, fragrant border edging, and essential anchor for organic pollinator and bee gardens throughout the long bloom season.

• Dramatic Showy Rabbit-Ear Bracts — Large, distinctive dark purple rabbit-ear bracts topping each compact flower head create a bold, sculptural quality unlike any other lavender species — a true conversation piece in any garden setting.
• Exceptionally Early Bloom Season — One of the earliest lavender varieties to bloom each spring, Otto Quast extends the garden's fragrance and pollinator season significantly earlier than English and lavandin varieties.
• Superior Heat Tolerance — More heat tolerant than English lavender cultivars, Otto Quast excels in warm Mediterranean, coastal California, and hot-summer climates where cooler lavender species struggle to perform reliably.
• Premier Bee & Butterfly Attractor — Aromatic flower heads with distinctive bracts are outstanding attractors for honeybees, bumblebees, native bees, butterflies, and beneficial insects throughout the extended bloom season.
• Drought Tolerant & Water-Wise — Highly drought resistant once established, thriving with minimal supplemental irrigation in water-wise, fire-resistant, and California-friendly low-water organic landscape applications.

These 4" healthy live plants thrive in full sun (6–8 hours daily) with excellent drainage — plant in well-drained to sandy or gravelly soil and avoid overwatering at all stages. Hardy in USDA zones 7–11, growing 18–24" tall with a spread of 18–24". Dark lavender flower heads with purple bracts bloom in early spring to early summer (March–June) with potential rebloom in fall; shear lightly after peak bloom to encourage a tidy compact form and stimulate additional flowering through the season.