Spanish Lavender

A more apt name for this purple pal would be Mediterranean Lavender. It’s found not just in Spain, but also in France and Portugal. Further complicating things is the fact that some sources argue that this category of sturdy, fragrant shrubs should be divided into two further distinct varieties in addition to Spaish Lavender: French Lavender (Lavandula dentata) and English Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia).

So many reasons to have lavender on the median. They are definitely not a northwest native, but our summers are often called Mediterranean because of how parched for rain we get in those months. And lavender is perfectly suited for our summers. They also look great. Lavender has tiny flowers at the very top of their tall stalks, and below that are purple brachts, which is a term for leaf-like structures on some flowers. That’s a package that cranks out some lovely aroma, and entices bees and other insect visitors. Sturdy, drought-resistant, sweet-smelling. What's not to love? By all means grab a bit to take home.