Lavender is a fantastical garden flora to grow . It provides visual spectacle , wonderful scents and has multiple practical uses .
With over 45 specie and infinite varieties , choose the right lavender for your garden can be a challenge . This clause will search the different types of lavender , highlighting their key deviation and essential grow information for keen gardeners .
Introduction to Lavender
Lavender ( genusLavandula ) is a extremity of the mint menage and is native to the Mediterranean , the Middle East , and India . It thrives in cheery , dry climates and is grown for its aromatic flowers and leafage . Its tall flowers range in colour from cryptical purple to soft pink and white .
Lavender is not only beautiful but also practical , used in essential oils , culinary lulu , and as anatural pesterer repellent .
Different types of Lavender
English Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia)
Perhaps the most well known of the different eccentric of lavender , English lavender , despite its name , is native to the Mediterranean realm . It is a succinct , aromatic shrub typically growing 2 - 3 fundament marvelous and wide . Known forits hardiness , it ’s the most cold - kind of the lavender species , thriving in USDA zones 5 - 8 .
The flora have minute , gray - dark-green leafage and produces spike of fragrant flowers in refinement of purple , blue - violet , or now and again pinkish or white . English lavender blooms in late spring to other summertime , with some varieties offering a second rosiness in late summertime .
English lavender is widely used in aromatherapy , perfumery , and culinary applications . It is a favorite among nurseryman for its drought margin , deer resistance , and ability to attract pollinators .
Lavandula dentata byForest and Kim Starris licensed under CC BY 3.0
pop varieties include ‘ Munstead ’ , ‘ Hidcote ’ , and ‘ Folgate ’ .
Read ourcomplete guide on develop English Lavender here .
English lavender is one of the most popular types , known for its strong fragrance and versatility . It prefers well - drained soil and full Lord’s Day . It is also more tolerant of colder climates compare to other assortment .
Lavandula dentata byForest and Kim Starris licensed under CC BY 3.0
Care Tips :
French Lavender (Lavandula dentata)
French lavender , also bed as laciniate lavender , is aboriginal to Spain and North Africa . It ’s an evergreen shrub that typically grows 2 - 3 substructure improbable and all-embracing , characterised by its distinctive toothed ( dentate ) leaves , which give it its metal money name .
The plant feature grey - green , aromatic foliage and produce loose royal flower , lead with purple bract , reminiscent of rabbit ears . French lavender has a longer blooming period than English lavender , often flowering from recent spring through to autumn / drop in mild climates .
While less insensate - fearless than English lavender ( worthy for USDA zones 8 - 11 ) , French lavender is more kind of heat and humidity . Its aroma is more camphor - like than English lavender , making it less favoured for culinary use but still pop in landscape gardening and container horticulture .
Gallic lavender is notable for its toothed parting and long blooming period . It is less hardy than English lavender and prefers milder wintertime .
Spanish Lavender (Lavandula stoechas)
Lavandula stoechas , commonly known as Spanish lavender , is a classifiable member of the lilac-colored menage . It typically uprise to a height of 30 - 60 cm ( 1 - 2 feet ) and disseminate to about the same width .
It features narrow-minded , silver - grey leave and disagree from the English lavender by create a unique flower spike top with showy regal bracts . These bracts , along with the bass imperial flower beneath them , give French lavender a more decorative appearance equate to its English lavender counterpart .
The industrial plant is aboriginal to the Mediterranean region , peculiarly country like Spain , Portugal , and parts of North Africa . It thrives in warm , teetotal climates and is well - become to USDAhardiness zones7 - 10 .
Lavendula Stoechas bloom earlier than other lavender varieties , typicallyflowering from later outflow to early summertime , with the potency for a second hot flash in late summertime or early fall if by rights maintained . The heyday and foliage breathe a solid , pleasant fragrance that appeal pollinator like bees and butterfly .
Stoechas prefers full sunlight exposure and well - draining soil . It is very susceptible to root waste in overly moist conditions .
While generally audacious , this lilac-colored mixed bag is less inhuman - tolerant thanEnglish lavender , so in cold regions , it may ask wintertime trade protection or be better suitable to container growing where it can be moved indoors during abrasive weather condition .
Spanish lavender is easily recognised by its unique flower material body and inviolable fragrance . It is well - suit to hot , dry climate but needs auspices from cold and wet condition .
Lavandin (Lavandula x intermedia)
Lavandin is a intercrossed hybridization between English lavender ( L. angustifolia ) and spike lavender ( L. latifolia ) . This vigorous cross combines the cold hardiness of English lavender with the passion tolerance of spike lavender , result in a robust plant desirable for a wide kitchen stove of clime .
Typically declamatory than English lavender , lavandin plants can uprise up to 3 - 4 feet tall and wide . They give rise foresightful flower stalks with fragrant , light regal blooms , usually bloom afterward than English lavender . The foliation is grizzly - green and highly aromatic .
Lavandin is prized for its high essential oil contentedness , making it the most pop choice for commercial-grade lavender crude oil production . While its stronger , more camphoraceous scent cause it less suitable for culinary exercise than English lavender , it ’s excellent for perfumes , max , and other aromatic products . Popular varieties include ‘ Grosso ’ , ‘ Provence ’ , and ‘ Phenomenal ’ .
Lavandin is a loanblend of English and Portuguese lavender , know for its full-bodied growth and high oil message . It is ideal for larger garden and commercial-grade cultivation .
Comparison Table of Lavender Types
Growing Lavender: Essential Tips
Soil and Planting
Lavender prefers well - drainedsoilwith a neutral to more or less alkaline pH. If your soil is heavy clay , consider amending it with lots of guts or irritate to improve drain . Plant lavender in a sunny location with good atmosphere circulation to forbid fungous disease .
Planting gradation :
Watering
Lavender is drouth - tolerant once constitute but needs even lacrimation during its first arise season . body of water deeply but infrequently , allowing the dirt to dry out out between watering . Overwatering can lead to root rot .
Pruning
Regular pruning helps keep the chassis and encourage new outgrowth and flowering . Prune lavender in earlyspring and again after blossoming . Avoid cutting into the woody part of the plant life as it may not regrow .
The picture show below evidence what happens when you do n’t prune after the old year ’s florescence . The works has less new flowers and see less attractive with the brown flowers and withered foliage .
Fertilising
Lavender does not require sound fertilisation . A light program of compost or a balanced , slow - release fertilizer in the bound is usually sufficient . Avoid high - nitrogen fertilisers as they boost leafy growth at the disbursal of flowers .
Common Pests and Diseases
Lavender is relatively pest - immune , but it can be affected by a few plebeian issues :
Favourite Lavender cultivars
Grosso
‘ Grosso ’ is a lavandin , or hybrid lavender ( Lavandula x intermedia ) , develop in France in the seventies . This change was specifically breed for its mellow essential oil content and is widely used in the aroma industry .
Growing up to 30 inches magniloquent and wide , ‘ Grosso ’ is a larger , more full-bodied plant than many English lavender varieties . Its leaf consists of long , grey - greenish foliage that are more or less broader than those of English lavender . The heyday are take over on marvellous , sturdy stems and are a rich lavender - blue-blooded color .
As a hybrid , ‘ Grosso ’ is typically shorter - lived than pure English lavender varieties , normally live on 5 - 7 years . However , it compensates with its vigorous increment and prolific bloom . This variety is particularly known for its strong , sweet perfume and is often used for commercial lavender oil production .
Phenomenal
‘ Phenomenal ’ is a relatively new lavender variety , introduced in 2012 . It ’s a intercrossed lavender ( Lavandula x intermedia ) bred for improved tolerance to heat and humidness , making it suitable for a wide range of climates than many traditional lavender .
This racy plant can grow up to 32 in tall and wide , forming a big , rounded bush . Its foliage is silvery - greenish and extremely redolent . The short purple flowers are suffer on long stems , create an telling display when in full bloom .
While still comparatively new , ‘ Phenomenal ’ express promise as a longer - survive cross , potentially lasting 8 - 10 long time with right care . Its resistor to common lavender problem like root rot and foliar diseases makes it an splendid option for gardeners in challenging climates or those new to growing lavender .
Lavandula dentata byForest and Kim Starris licensed under CC BY 3.0
Provence
‘ Provence ’ is another lavandin variety ( Lavandula x intermedia ) , initiate from the Provence region of France . This marvelous , vigorous cultivar is well - suited for make lavender hedgerow and field planting .
grow up to 36 column inch tall and wide , ‘ Provence ’ is one of the declamatory lavender variety . Its foliage is grey-headed - light-green and highly aromatic . The pale lavender flowers are borne on long stems , creating a soft , balloon upshot in the garden .
As a crossbreed , ‘ Provence ’ typically has a lifespan of 5 - 7 yr . It ’s valued for its gamey essential oil content and is often used in the output of lilac products . This variety is also known for its ability to withstand hotter summers better than many English lavender types .
Uses of Lavender
Culinary Uses
Lavender is used to flavour a smorgasbord of dishful , from baked goodness to savoury meats . English lavender is the best type for culinary manipulation due to its sweet smell .
Aromatherapy and Essential Oils
Lavender petroleum is pop in aromatherapy for its calming and relax dimension . English and Lavandin lavenders are usually used for all important oil production due to their high oil content .
Ornamental and Landscaping
Lavender ’s beautiful flower and foliage make it an excellent alternative for edge , rock garden , and containers . It attracts pollinators such as bees and butterflies , tally biodiversity to your garden .
Conclusion
Growing lavender in your garden offers both stunner and functionality . By empathize the divergence between the various character of lavender and offer the right spring up shape , you may enjoy this various plant life for many years .
Whether you choose the hardy English lavender , the typical French lavender , the aromatic Spanish lavender , or the robust Lavandin , each type contribute its unique appeal and benefits to your garden .
Martin Cole has been an greedy plant life devotee and gardener for more than 20 years and bonk to talk and write about horticulture . In 2006 he was a finalist in the BBC Gardener of the Year competition . He is a member of the National dahlia Society .
Lavandula x intermedia Superby Photo by David J. Stang is licensed underCC BY-SA 4.0
He previously go in London and Sydney , Australia , where he took a diploma line in Horticultural survey and is now establish in North Berwick in Scotland . He founded GardeningStepbyStep.com in 2012 . The web site is aimed at everybody who loves plants or has been bitten by the horticulture bug and want to know more .
Gardening pace by Step has beencited by Thompson and Morgan , the UK ’s magnanimous chain mail order plant retail merchant , as a website that publishes expert gardening capacity .
Lavandula x Intermedia ‘Grosso’ (Lavandin) byCouleurLavande.comlicensed: CC BY-ND 2.0
“There’s a few things I’ve learned in life: always throw salt over your left shoulder, keep rosemary by your garden gate, plant lavender for good luck, and fall in love whenever you can. Alice Hoffman” bykaterhais licensed under CC BY 2.0
