English Lavender vs French Lavender: A Comparative Guide

English Lavender and French Lavender are two popular varieties of lavender that have distinct differences. English Lavender is a hardy, compact shrub that grows up to 2 feet tall, whereas French Lavender is a more delicate, sprawling plant that reaches heights of 3-4 feet.

English Lavender is known for its robust growth and ability to withstand harsh weather conditions, making it a great choice for gardeners in cooler climates. Its flowers are also a bit larger and more vibrant in color compared to French Lavender.

French Lavender, on the other hand, is prized for its intense fragrance and beautiful, pale purple flowers. It's a popular choice for perfumes and potpourri due to its high oil content.

Both varieties are relatively low maintenance and can thrive in well-drained soil with full sun.

English lavender is much hardier than French lavender, tolerating colder winters.

The hardiness difference is significant, with French lavender only growing in zones up to 8.

French lavender grows quite large, reaching 2-3 feet in both height and width.

English lavender, on the other hand, stays much smaller and more compact.

English lavender produces the strong, characteristic scent that we associate with lavender.

French lavender has a much lighter scent, more reminiscent of rosemary.

French lavender has one of the longest bloom times, starting in spring and continuing to produce flowers throughout the summer.

English lavender's flowers may not last as long, but they're still beautiful and fragrant.

The size difference between the two varieties is noticeable, with French lavender growing much wider and taller than English lavender.

French lavender is a popular landscape flower known for its toothed (lobed) leaves and fluffy flower spikes.

Its flower spikes often have "rabbit's ear" bracts at the top, a distinctive feature of this variety.

French varieties are less fragrant than English lavender, but they bloom more continuously.

These shrubs are not the best choice for scented, herbal, or culinary uses.

Some products labeled as "French lavender" are actually sourced from commercial farms that grow the English lavender hybrid Lavandin known as 'Provence'.

English lavender is hardy and thrives in cooler climates, making it suitable for temperate regions. It prefers well-drained soil and full sunlight.

English lavender is also more tolerant of frost, making it a favorite in northern gardens. This variety is hardy in zones 4 through 8 and can withstand negative temperatures in its dormant state.

French lavender, on the other hand, is less hardy and better suited to warmer climates. It requires good drainage and full sun but is less tolerant of frost compared to English lavender.

French lavender is often grown in climates with a sheltered and hot, dry spot. It can only handle temperatures down to single digits and really prefers the Mediterranean-style climate of its native range.

English lavender can grow in a variety of soils, including sandy soils, and only needs sparse supplemental water during the driest periods. Once established, it often doesn't need to be watered at all.

A unique perspective: Is Lavender a Hardy Plant

Here's a quick comparison of the hardiness of English and French lavender:

French lavender is a warm-weather perennial that can't handle prolonged hot weather or frost. English lavender, on the other hand, can handle cooler temperatures and is more tolerant of frost.

English lavender and French lavender have distinct characteristics that set them apart. English lavender is generally hardier and more adaptable to different environments, whereas French lavender is more sensitive to heat and humidity.

English lavender tends to grow more compactly, reaching heights of around 12-18 inches, whereas French lavender can grow up to 3 feet tall.

Both varieties have purple flowers, but English lavender's flowers are typically a deeper, richer purple, while French lavender's flowers are lighter and more blue-ish.

Worth a look: How to Grow English Lavender

English lavender is renowned for its sweet, floral aroma, making it a favorite in perfumes and aromatherapy products. Its scent is often described as more refined and less camphorous than its French counterpart.

Both English and French lavender are highly fragrant, but their scents differ subtly. French lavender has a more pronounced, camphor-like fragrance, which is considered to be more pungent and less sweet than English lavender.

The scent of English lavender can be described as having notes of sweetness, musk, rosemary, bergamot, sage, and geranium. This makes it a popular choice for producing perfumes, candles, bug sprays, and floral sachets.

Here's a comparison of the two types of lavender:

French lavender, while still pleasant, has a more subtle fragrance than English lavender. Its flowers are lightly camphorous and more earthy than the ultra-floral English flowers.

English Lavender has narrow, smooth-edged leaves and compact, dense flower spikes, typically with deep purple flowers.

French Lavender, on the other hand, boasts broader, serrated leaves that give it a more textured look.

The flower spikes of French Lavender are longer and less compact than those of English Lavender, with a lighter purple hue.

A unique visual element of French Lavender is the tufted appearance at the top of the flower spike.

Here's a comparison of the two varieties:

French lavender is a great choice for continuous blooms, as it flowers practically non-stop from spring through fall in zones 7-10.

English lavender, on the other hand, typically has two distinct bloom times, once in late spring to early summer and again in late summer through fall.

In warm climates, French lavender is the way to go for the most continuous floral display possible.

If you want continuous blooms and fragrance, consider planting both varieties of lavender to maximise the growing season.

Here's a comparison of the flowering seasons of English and French lavender:

English lavender is a great choice for culinary uses, especially when you want a sweet and floral flavor. Its blossoms are delightfully sweet and floral, making them perfect for desserts, teas, and even savory dishes.

English lavender is also popular in essential oils, potpourri, and sachets. Its sweeter aroma is a big part of what makes it so versatile in the kitchen.

If you're looking to use lavender in your cooking, English lavender is a safer bet than French lavender because it doesn't have a high camphor content, which can give food a bitter or soapy taste.

French lavender, on the other hand, is often used in crafting and home décor due to its more robust scent. Its oil is less commonly used in culinary applications, but it's valued in soaps, candles, and cleaning products.

Here's a brief comparison of the two:

English lavender is also a great choice for landscaping, but French lavender is better suited for that purpose.

If you're considering growing English lavender or French lavender, it's essential to know their differences. French lavender is hardier, growing in zones 8-11, whereas English lavender can thrive in zones 4-8.

English lavender is a better choice for colder climates, but it blooms less frequently, producing flowers in spring and fall. French lavender, on the other hand, blooms continuously throughout the summer.

If you're looking for a more compact option, English lavender is the way to go, growing 20-24" tall and 24-36" wide. French lavender, however, can grow quite large, reaching 30-36" tall and up to 40" wide.

For another approach, see: English Lavender Growing Zones

When choosing between French and English lavender, one key difference is their hardiness. French lavender thrives in zones 8-11, whereas English lavender can tolerate zones 4-8.

If you live in a warmer climate, French lavender's larger size of 30-36” tall and up to 40” wide might be a consideration. In contrast, English lavender grows to be 20-24” tall and 24-36” wide.

English lavender is known for its strong floral smell, which might be a plus if you're looking for a fragrant addition to your garden. On the other hand, French lavender has a more subtle aroma.

If you want a lavender that blooms continuously throughout the summer, French lavender is the way to go. English lavender, however, blooms in the spring and again in the fall.

Here's a comparison chart to help you decide:

If you're having trouble deciding between French and English lavender, the weather might make the decision for you.

English lavender is a better choice for cold northern gardeners, as it can handle the cooler temperatures.

French lavender, on the other hand, is ideal for warm southern gardeners, who can enjoy its heat and humidity tolerance.

Moving French lavender varieties indoors during the winter is an option for northern gardeners, but it's not necessary for English lavender.