Lavender is a fragrant herb that has been used for centuries for its pleasant aroma, medicinal benefits, and ornamental qualities. With over 39 species and hundreds of hybrids and cultivars, there are many different types of lavender to choose from. But when it comes to popularity, a few key lavender varieties stand out above the rest.
English Lavender
One of the most widely grown types of lavender is English lavender (Lavandula angustifolia). Native to the Mediterranean region, this hardy, herbaceous perennial does best in warm climates with sandy, alkaline soil. English lavender features attractive gray-green foliage and upright flower spikes that bloom in early to mid summer. The blooms are fragrant and long-lasting, ranging in color from lavender to blue to violet.
English lavender is very versatile and lends itself well to hedges, borders, containers, and more. It can thrive in full sun and is fairly drought tolerant once established. The flowers and leaves of English lavender can be used fresh or dried for sachets, potpourris, aromatherapy, culinary purposes, and even teas. Oil from the flowers is also popular in soaps, perfumes, cosmetics, and cleaning products.
French Lavender
French lavender (Lavandula dentata) is another extremely popular lavender variety. Also known as fringed or toothed lavender, this type features unique, serrated leaves and a more upright, compact habit compared to English lavender. The blooms are a mix of violet-blue and last throughout the summer.
French lavender thrives in hot, dry climates and needs good drainage. It works well in informal, cottage style gardens, along borders and pathways, and intermixed with roses and other perennials. The flowers hold up better to heat compared to other lavender types. Dried French lavender buds and stalks are commonly used in floral arrangements and craft projects.
Spanish Lavender
Spanish lavender (Lavandula stoechas) is known for its showy, purple flower heads topped by large, butterfly-like bracts. Compared to English and French lavender, Spanish lavender has a bushier growth habit with broader leaves. It blooms in late spring into summer.
This Mediterranean native grows well in hot climates and tolerates humidity better than some other lavender varieties. It works nicely in containers and along borders and paths where its colorful blooms can be admired. Spanish lavender has antiseptic properties and its essential oil is used in soap making.
Lavandin
Lavandin (Lavandula x intermedia) is a popular hybrid cross between English lavender and spike lavender (Lavandula latifolia). It produces an abundance of fragrant, violet-blue flower spikes on a compact, bushy plant. Lavandin is known for its strong lavender oil content.
This hardy hybrid adapts well to heat and humidity. It thrives in full sun and poorer soils where it forms a dense hedge or border. Lavandin oil is extensively used commercially in perfumes, cosmetics, aromatherapy, and cleaning products. The plants are also long-lasting as cut or dried flowers.
Hidcote Lavender
Hidcote lavender is an English lavender cultivar that is highly popular for its rich purple flower color and robust growth habit. It produces particularly fragrant, deep violet blooms on compact, densely branched plants that grow up to 2 feet tall.
Named after the famous Hidcote Manor Garden in England where it was first cultivated, this variety does best in zones 5 to 9. It’s ideal for low hedges, borders, containers, and herb gardens. The fragrant foliage can be used to make potpourris and sachets. Oil from the flowers is also nice for aromatherapy use.
Munstead Lavender
Munstead lavender is another compact English lavender cultivar that performs well in colder climates. It was bred by lavender pioneer Lady Astor at her Munstead Wood estate in England. This variety forms a tidy mound of silver-green foliage topped with abundant lavender-purple blooms.
Munstead lavender grows up to 18 inches tall and wide. It does best in full sun and well-drained soil. The fragrant flowers hold up well when cut or dried. Munstead is ideal for low hedges, borders, rock gardens, and containers. It also attracts butterflies and bees to the garden.
Provence Lavender
Provence lavender refers to a broader group of Lavandula x intermedia cultivars that originated in southern France. They are known for their sweet fragrance, long flowering period, and ability to produce abundant lavender oil.
Popular Provence lavender varieties include Grosso and Super. They grow up to 3 feet tall and do well in warm climates with well-drained soil. Provence lavender can be used for hedging, mass plantings, as cut flowers, and for extraction of luxury grade lavender oil.
Lavender Growth Habits
When selecting a lavender variety, it’s useful to understand the different plant growth habits.
| Growth Habit | Characteristics |
|---|---|
| Upright or erect | Grow in compact clumps up to 3 feet tall, good for hedging |
| Mounding or bushy | Form rounded mounds 1-2 feet tall and wide, nice for edges and borders |
| Creeping or trailing | Spread out along the ground, ideal for rock gardens and pathway plants |
Upright varieties like Grosso and Super are great for hedges or windbreaks. Bushy types like Hidcote and Munstead make attractive borders or low hedges. Creeping lavenders can spread nicely over walls or walkways.
Most Popular Uses
From a landscape perspective, the most popular uses of lavender include:
- Hedges, borders, and edging – The compact growth habit of many lavender varieties lends well to sculptural hedges and mapped out garden edges.
- Containers and planters – Lavender thrives in pots and planters where their fragrance can be enjoyed up close.
- Mass planting and groundcover – For larger landscape areas, mass plantings of lavender make excellent groundcover and fill spaces with color.
- Herb gardens and butterfly gardens – The nectar-rich blooms attract pollinators while the foliage provides a quintessential herbal element.
- Cut flowers – Lavender blooms hold up beautifully when cut for indoor floral displays.
The most universally useful lavender varieties for these popular uses are English lavender and its cultivars. The hybrid Lavandin is also widely used for hedging and mass planting.
Climate Considerations
Lavender thrives best in warm climates with long summers. Cooler regions should focus on hardy varieties that can withstand colder winters. Here are some general climate recommendations:
| Climate | Recommended Varieties |
|---|---|
| Mediterranean | Spanish, English, French |
| West Coast, Southern U.S. | English, French, Lavandin |
| Northern U.S., New England | English, Munstead, Hidcote, Lavandin |
| Mountain West, Canada | English, Munstead, Lavandin |
Gardeners in cool or damp climates may need to provide extra winter mulch and drainage. Potted lavender should be brought indoors over winter.
Popular Cultivars
Here is a summary of some of the most popular lavender cultivars:
| Cultivar | Type | Features |
|---|---|---|
| Hidcote | English | Compact growth, deep violet blooms, rich fragrance |
| Munstead | English | Dwarf variety, long blooming, withstands humidity |
| Grosso | Lavandin | Prolific bloomer, high oil content, great for hedges |
| Provence | Lavandin | High quality oil production, heat tolerance |
| Grappenhall | English | Compact form, deep violet blooms, bold fragrance |
| Fred Boutin | French | Spiked purple blooms, disease resistance, deer resistant |
Consider Foliage Color
Lavender foliage also ranges in color from silvery gray (French lavender) to darker forest green (Spanish lavender). Silver-gray varieties like French lavender help lighten up dark corners of the garden while greener types blend in soften against other green backdrop plants.
Culinary Varieties
For culinary use, it’s best to choose an English lavender variety like Munstead, Hidcote, or Royal Velvet. The flavor of English lavender is more mellow and sweet than other types. Use the flowers to add flavor and color to scones, jellies, vinegars, roasted meats and vegetables, and beverages like tea, lemonade, and cocktails.
Planting and Care
To grow lavender successfully:
- Pick a spot with full sun and very well-drained soil.
- Space plants 12-24 inches apart depending on mature size.
- Mix in sand or gravel if needed to improve drainage.
- Mulch around the base of plants to help retain moisture and suppress weeds.
- Prune lightly in spring to shape and remove winter damage.
- Water deeply when soils are dry to the touch but avoid overwatering.
- Fertilize very sparingly, excess nitrogen can cause floppy growth.
- Trim off spent blooms after flowering to encourage a second flush of blooms.
With proper siting and care, lavender will thrive for years to come and serve as a beautiful and fragrant garden accent.
Conclusion
When it comes to popularity, English lavender and its many lovely cultivars lead the pack thanks to their incredible versatility, fragrance, and flowering power. Bushy English varieties like Hidcote and Munstead and compact hybrids like Lavandin are prized for hedge rows, borders, containers, and mass planting. French, Spanish, and tender varieties all have their place as well, especially in hot and humid climates. Whatever type you choose, lavender’s aromatic gray-green foliage and abundant blooms will bring you enjoyment for years to come.
