Complete Guide to Lavender Varieties
Lavender is one of the most beloved and versatile herbs in the world, prized for its fragrance, beauty, and numerous uses. With over 40 species and hundreds of cultivars, choosing the right lavender variety can seem overwhelming. This HK Flower Boutique guide will help you understand the main types of lavender and their unique characteristics.
Understanding Lavender Classifications
Lavenders belong to the genus Lavandula and are primarily divided into several groups based on their botanical characteristics and growing requirements. The most commonly cultivated groups include English lavenders, French lavenders, Spanish lavenders, and hybrid lavenders.
English Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia)
English lavender is the most popular and widely grown type, despite its name suggesting British origins—it actually comes from the Mediterranean. These varieties are known for their exceptional hardiness, intense fragrance, and culinary uses.
Key Characteristics
Hardy in USDA zones 5-9
Compact growth habit, typically 1-3 feet tall
Strong, sweet fragrance
Blue, purple, pink, or white flower spikes
Excellent for essential oil production
Safe for culinary use
Popular English Lavender Varieties
Hidcote This compact variety grows 12-18 inches tall with deep purple flowers and silver-green foliage. It's extremely hardy and produces dense flower spikes with exceptional fragrance. Hidcote is perfect for borders, containers, and low hedges.
Munstead Slightly larger than Hidcote at 18-24 inches, Munstead features lighter purple-blue flowers and blooms earlier in the season. It's particularly cold-hardy and was developed by the famous gardener Gertrude Jekyll.
Royal Velvet This striking variety produces deep purple, almost black flower spikes on 18-inch plants. The intense color and strong fragrance make it a standout in any garden setting.
Lady A unique English lavender that blooms the first year from seed, Lady grows 10-12 inches tall with purple flower spikes. It's perfect for annual plantings and containers.
Alba The white-flowered form of English lavender, Alba grows 2-3 feet tall and offers the same intense fragrance as purple varieties. It creates beautiful contrast in mixed plantings.
Rosea This pink-flowered cultivar adds soft color to lavender collections. Growing 18-24 inches tall, it maintains all the hardiness and fragrance of traditional English lavender.
French Lavender (Lavandula dentata)
French lavender, also called fringed lavender, is distinguished by its toothed leaves and unique flower structure topped with colorful bracts that resemble rabbit ears or butterfly wings.
Key Characteristics
Hardy in USDA zones 8-11
Grows 2-3 feet tall and wide
Blooms almost year-round in mild climates
Distinctive toothed, gray-green leaves
Less fragrant than English varieties
Not recommended for culinary use
Popular French Lavender Varieties
Royal Crown Features large purple flower heads topped with prominent purple bracts. This vigorous variety blooms repeatedly throughout the growing season and attracts butterflies.
Goodwin Creek Grey A hybrid between French and woolly lavender, this variety has deeply toothed, silvery leaves and purple flowers. It's more heat-tolerant than many other types.
Spanish Lavender (Lavandula stoechas)
Spanish lavender is perhaps the most distinctive-looking lavender, with its pineapple-shaped flower heads topped by colorful flag-like bracts. These Mediterranean natives prefer alkaline soils and hot, dry conditions.
Key Characteristics
Hardy in USDA zones 7-10
Grows 1-3 feet tall depending on variety
Distinctive quadrangular flower heads
Prominent colorful bracts on top
Strong, camphor-like fragrance
Not suitable for culinary use
Popular Spanish Lavender Varieties
Otto Quast This compact variety grows only 12-15 inches tall with deep purple flower heads and matching purple bracts. It's perfect for containers and small spaces.
Anouk Silver Features silvery foliage and deep purple flowers topped with bright purple bracts. This variety is particularly heat and humidity tolerant.
Ballerina A charming dwarf variety growing 8-12 inches tall with white flowers and pink bracts. The compact size makes it ideal for rock gardens and container growing.
Hybrid Lavenders (Lavandula x intermedia)
These crosses between English and spike lavender combine the best traits of both parents, offering excellent fragrance, larger size, and good heat tolerance.
Key Characteristics
Hardy in USDA zones 6-9
Larger plants, typically 2-4 feet tall
Excellent for dried flowers and essential oils
Blooms later than English lavender
Good heat tolerance
Long flower stems perfect for cutting
Popular Hybrid Varieties
Phenomenal This award-winning variety lives up to its name with exceptional heat and humidity tolerance. Growing 2-3 feet tall, it produces abundant purple flower spikes and has excellent disease resistance.
Grosso The most widely grown lavender for commercial oil production, Grosso produces long stems of purple flowers on 3-4 foot plants. It's highly productive and has excellent fragrance.
Provence Similar to Grosso but with lighter purple flowers, Provence is another commercial favorite known for its oil production and long cutting stems.
Super This vigorous hybrid grows 3-4 feet tall with long, dense flower spikes. The strong fragrance and abundant blooms make it excellent for dried arrangements.
Portuguese Lavender (Lavandula latifolia)
Also known as spike lavender, this species has broader leaves and a more camphor-like fragrance compared to English lavender.
Key Characteristics
Hardy in USUDA zones 6-9
Grows 2-3 feet tall
Broader, greener leaves
Strong camphor scent
White or light purple flowers
Used primarily for essential oil production
Woolly Lavender (Lavandula lanata)
This distinctive species is covered in white, woolly hairs that give it a silvery appearance and help it survive in arid conditions.
Key Characteristics
Hardy in USDA zones 7-9
Grows 2-3 feet tall
Distinctive white, fuzzy foliage
Deep purple flowers
Extremely drought tolerant
Primarily ornamental
Growing Tips by Lavender Type
English Lavenders
Prefer well-draining, slightly alkaline soil
Full sun exposure
Minimal water once established
Prune after flowering to maintain shape
Most cold-hardy option
French and Spanish Lavenders
Need excellent drainage
Prefer warmer climates
May require winter protection in cooler areas
Benefit from regular deadheading
Less cold tolerance
Hybrid Lavenders
More heat and humidity tolerant
Excellent for cutting gardens
Require more space due to larger size
Prune in early spring before growth begins
Choosing the Right Lavender for Your Garden
Consider these factors when selecting lavender varieties:
Climate: English lavenders are most cold-hardy, while French and Spanish types prefer warmer conditions. Hybrids offer good middle ground with heat tolerance and reasonable cold hardiness.
Space: Compact English varieties work well in small gardens and containers, while hybrid lavenders need more room to spread.
Purpose: For cooking and tea, choose English varieties. For dried flowers and crafts, hybrids with long stems are ideal. For ornamental impact, consider the unique forms of French and Spanish types.
Bloom Time: English lavenders typically bloom in early to mid-summer, while hybrids flower later. French lavenders can bloom repeatedly in mild climates.
Maintenance: All lavenders are relatively low-maintenance once established, but some varieties require more pruning and care than others.
Uses for Different Lavender Types
Culinary Applications
Only English lavender varieties should be used for cooking and tea. Their sweet, floral flavor enhances both sweet and savory dishes. Popular culinary uses include lavender honey, shortbread, and herb blends.
Essential Oil Production
English lavenders and certain hybrids like Grosso produce the highest quality essential oils. The oil from English varieties is considered superior for aromatherapy and cosmetic uses.
Dried Flowers
Hybrid lavenders with their long stems are excellent for dried flower arrangements. Cut stems when flowers are just beginning to open for best color retention.
Ornamental Purposes
All lavender types provide beautiful garden displays, but French and Spanish varieties offer unique visual interest with their distinctive flower forms and colorful bracts.
HK Florist tips
The world of lavender offers incredible diversity, from the hardy, fragrant English varieties to the exotic, butterfly-topped French types. Whether you're planning a herb garden, creating a fragrant border, or growing lavender for crafts and cooking, there's a variety perfectly suited to your needs and climate. Start with one or two varieties that match your growing conditions and intended uses, then expand your collection as you gain experience with these wonderful plants.
