A Guide to Lavender Plant Types and Growing Requirements

Lavender plants are a delight to grow, and with the right type and growing conditions, you'll be enjoying their beauty and fragrance in no time.

English Lavender is a popular variety that's hardy in USDA zones 5-9, making it a great choice for many gardeners. It grows up to 2 feet tall and has a moderate growth rate.

French Lavender is another popular variety that's known for its compact growth habit and fragrant flowers. It grows up to 1 foot tall and is hardy in USDA zones 4-8.

To grow lavender plants, they require well-draining soil and full sun, with at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day.

There are many types of lavender plants, but true lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) is probably the most popular and widely grown.

True lavender can be found at altitudes of up to 1,600 metres and tends to prefer calcareous, drier soils in the garden. It grows as a semi-shrub and is almost completely hardy.

The leaf colour varies from dark green to silver-white, and the flowers come in different shades of blue and purple, as well as white and pink. True lavender has a mild and subtle aroma, making it suitable for use as a culinary herb, fragrance plant, and medicinal plant.

Here are some popular varieties of true lavender:

If you want to grow lavender outdoors all year round, look for hardy varieties. These types of lavender can tolerate fluctuating winter weather in a sheltered location.

Some popular hardy varieties of true lavender include 'Hidcote Blue', 'Dwarf Blue', and 'Blue Cushion'. They can usually be overwintered in beds without any problems.

Hardy lavender varieties can also tolerate temperatures down to -15 °C for a short time. This makes them perfect for gardens in colder climates.

Here are some hardy lavender varieties to consider:

To keep your lavender plants healthy, prune them regularly to maintain their compact mounded form. This will also help them grow back stronger in the spring.

Croxton's Wild Lavender is a fast-growing English lavender variety that's similar to the wild lavender found in the Mediterranean. It grows up to 2.5-3 feet tall.

This variety shows off light violet and purple flowers with a loose, open form. It's perfect for making excellent cut flowers.

However, it's not recommended for drying. Prune the plants in early spring, then as needed, to keep their shape after flowering.

The 'Grosso' Lavandin is a popular choice for many gardeners, and it's easy to see why. It's commonly grown in the lavender fields of France.

This variety is known for its strong, sweet fragrance, making it perfect for perfumes and sachets. Its purple flowers are a delight to behold.

As a semi-woody plant, 'Grosso' Lavandin grows in a shrubby mound, with large flower spikes that stand tall above the foliage. This unique growth habit makes it a great choice for attracting butterflies and hummingbirds to your garden.

The 'Grosso' Lavandin is a low-maintenance plant that's perfect for busy gardeners.

The 'Provence' Lavandin is a standout variety that originated in France, where it's grown commercially for its perfume industry applications. Its light lavender-blue flowers are produced on narrow spikes that can grow up to four inches long.

This variety is known for its exceptional tolerance to hot and humid temperatures, making it a great choice for gardeners in warmer climates.

The 'Hidcote Giant' Lavandin is a standout variety, boasting long spikes of medium blue-violet flowers in midsummer.

Its gray-green foliage provides a nice contrast to the vibrant blooms.

These nectar-rich flowers make a wonderful addition to a pollinator garden, attracting bees and butterflies to your yard.

Its extra long flower stems make it an excellent choice for cut flowers and creative projects, like lavender wands.

Curly Top Lavender is an eye-catching prolific bloomer that stands out from the crowd with its clusters of deep purple flowers.

Its unique feature is the ruffled, curly lavender bracts that top each bloom.

These bracts bloom almost continually during the growing season, making it a great choice for adding long-lasting color to your garden.

Each bloom sits atop six-inch stems, which can be pruned regularly to maintain the plant's shape and encourage its abundant flowering.

For your interest: When Does a Lavender Plant Bloom

Fernleaf Lavender is a unique species with a lemony fragrance, a departure from the traditional sweet scent of other lavenders.

Its foliage and flowers have a distinct earthy undertone, setting it apart from other varieties.

Fernleaf Lavender is often grown as an annual, but in frost-free areas, it will bloom almost continuously.

It features narrow spikes of fragrant bluish-purple flowers that will bloom until frost.

The plant's lobed silvery-green leaves give it a delicate, lacy appearance.

Hardy types of lavender are perfect for growing outdoors year-round in our latitudes. They can tolerate fluctuating weather in winter, but may need additional protection in certain regions.

True lavender, a popular species, can tolerate temperatures down to -15 °C for a short time. This makes it a great option for garden beds, but it's essential to choose robust cultivars like 'Hidcote Blue', 'Dwarf Blue', and 'Blue Cushion'.

Spike lavender, on the other hand, is conditionally frost hardy but doesn't tolerate temperature fluctuations well. To simplify overwintering, consider growing it in a container or pot.

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If you're looking for hardy varieties of true lavender, consider 'Jamlitz', 'Blue Scent', and 'Ellagance Purple'. These cultivars are robust, tough, and relatively undemanding in care.

Here are some hardy types of lavender to consider:

Remember to choose the right variety for your climate and soil type to ensure the best results.

There are many varieties of lavender plants, each with its own unique characteristics and uses.

True lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) is probably the most popular type of lavender, widely grown in the world and used as a culinary herb and fragrance plant.

It's a semi-shrub that grows well in calcareous, drier soils and can be found at altitudes of up to 1,600 metres.

The aroma of true lavender is rather mild and subtle, making it perfect for pot culture or rock garden.

Compact varieties like 'Blue Cushion' and 'Dwarf Blue' are great options for smaller spaces.

Lavandin (Lavandula x intermedia) is a hybrid cultivar that produces even more oil than English lavender, with a very potent aroma.

It requires a little more attention to grow, but can form a heap of bushy bright violet blooms and attract beneficial garden insects.

Lavandin grows well in hardiness zones 5-9 and prefers chalk or loamy soil with at least 6 hours of direct sunlight.

Some popular varieties of lavandin include Grosso, Hidcote Giant, and Provence.

English lavender varieties like 'Croxton's Wild' are fast-growing and show off light violet and purple flowers.

They're great for cut flowers, but not recommended for drying.

French and English lavender are just two of the many varieties of this popular plant, with Spanish lavender being another popular option.

Each variety has its own unique characteristics and uses, making it easy to find the right one for your home or garden.

Here's a list of some popular true lavender varieties:

True lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) is one of the most popular types of lavender, widely grown in the world. It can be found at altitudes of up to 1,600 metres and prefers calcareous, drier soils in the garden.

This variety grows as a semi-shrub and is almost completely hardy, with leaf colour varying from dark green to silver-white. The flowers come in different shades of blue and purple, but white and pink-flowered varieties are also present within the species.

The aroma of true lavender is rather mild and subtle, making it suitable for both culinary and medicinal use. It's also used as a fragrance plant.

Some recommended varieties of true lavender include 'Blue Cushion', 'Hidcote Blue', 'Hidcote Pink', 'Dwarf Blue', and 'Melissa'. These varieties offer a range of characteristics, from compact growth to pale pink flowers.

English lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) is another popular variety, known for its vibrant purple blooms and green foliage. It thrives well as an evergreen shrub and can grow around 1 to 3 feet tall.

Spike lavender (Lavandula latifolia) is found in higher regions of the Mediterranean and prefers calcareous and rather dry soils. It has a very strong aroma and is ideal for creating scented potpourris.

There are roughly 450 varieties of lavender, with many more cultivars created through mixing and breeding. Here are some popular varieties:

Lavandin varieties, such as 'Hidcote Giant' and 'Provence', are known for their long spikes of flowers and are often used in cut flower arrangements and pollinator gardens.

English and French lavender are two distinct types of lavender plants. They have different growth habits and requirements.

French lavender, also known as Lavandula dentata, is not as commonly cultivated as English lavender. It's only hardy through about zone 8 and can't tolerate cold winters.

English lavender, on the other hand, is much hardier and can thrive in a variety of conditions. It's a compact plant that grows up to 2 feet tall and wide.

French lavender is a larger plant that can grow up to 3 feet tall and wide. It also produces flowers that last longer, blooming throughout the spring and summer.

If you're looking for a strong lavender scent, English lavender is the way to go. It produces a potent fragrance that's perfect for potpourri or crafts.

Worth a look: English Lavender Care Outdoors

English Lavender is a popular choice for gardeners, and for good reason. It's a low-maintenance perennial that thrives in well-draining soil and full sun.

This variety of lavender grows 1 to 3 feet tall and is perfect for attracting pollinators like bees and butterflies. It's also great for adding a pop of color to your backyard edges and borders.

English Lavender is hardy in zones 5-9 and prefers chalky soil. If you're looking to add some fragrance to your garden, English Lavender is a great choice. Its oils are often used in perfumes and its flowers and foliage are popular in sachets and potpourri.

If you're new to gardening, English Lavender is a great variety to start with. It's compact and fragrant, making it perfect for culinary use, aromatherapy, and crafting.

Curious to learn more? Check out: How to Plant English Lavender Seeds

Lavandula Angustifolia is a perennial plant known for its vibrant purple blooms and green foliage. It thrives well as an evergreen shrub and can grow around 1 to 3 feet tall.

This plant is ideal for attracting pollinators such as bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects. It's perfect for adding a pop of color and fragrance to your backyard edges and borders.

English Lavender is often used in cooking and baking, and its oils are often used in perfumes. Its flowers and foliage are popular in sachets and potpourri.

It grows best in sandy soil that isn't too rich in nutrients and requires full sun. The hardiness zone for this plant is 5-9.

Some popular varieties of English Lavender include Hidcote, Munstead, and Royal Velvet. These varieties are known for their strong fragrance and compact growth.

If you're looking to control the size of your English Lavender plant, pruning it back to 8 inches every three years can promote new growth.

Spanish Lavender is a great choice for adding some texture to your container gardens. It's perfect for hot weather, but be aware that it can't withstand cold temperatures.

The flower-heads of Spanish Lavender are short and topped with attractive bracts that resemble large petals. These unique flowers are a great conversation starter in any garden.

Spanish Lavender varieties can grow up to 3-4 feet tall, making them a great addition to any landscape.

On a similar theme: Spanish Lavender Plant Care

French lavender is a type of lavender that's often grown more for its ornamental value than its fragrance. It's also known as fringed lavender and has a unique scent that's more like camphor than the classic lavender smell.

This type of lavender has clusters of purple flowers and furry, gray-green-toothed leaves that bloom all summer and fall. With proper care, it can even bloom almost all year indoors if you have a bright window.

French lavender (Lavandula stoechas) is notable for its large, ornamental bracts at the top of the flowerheads, which look like a mop of hair. It's often called "Welsh lavender" or "Arabian lavender" in some places.

In its original homeland, French lavender prefers low-lime, sandy soils and is usually not winter-hardy. This means it needs to be overwintered away from frost.

Some popular varieties of French lavender include 'Marshwood', 'Kew Red', 'Anouk', 'Otto Quast', and 'Merle'. These varieties offer a range of flower colors and growth habits.

A unique perspective: Roof Type

Here are some details about these varieties:

French lavender tends to grow up to three feet tall and is often used in landscaping and dry flower production. It's also drought tolerant and deer resistant, making it a great choice for certain gardens.

To grow lavender to its full potential, it's essential to provide it with the right conditions. Lavender varieties require full sun in the garden to thrive.

To ensure your lavender gets enough sunlight, make sure it's placed in a spot that receives plenty of sunshine every day. This will help it grow strong and healthy.

When it comes to watering, lavender needs consistent moisture, especially when it's first establishing itself. Water your lavender every second day until it's well-established, then reduce watering to once or twice a week if it's planted in the garden. If you're growing lavender in a pot, it will always need to be watered every second day. Be sure to avoid wetting the foliage when watering your lavender.

Here's a quick watering guide to keep in mind:

Sunlight is crucial for lavender varieties to thrive. All of them require full sun in the garden.

Make sure your lavender plants get at least 6 hours of direct sunlight every day. This will help them grow strong and healthy.

If you're growing lavender in a pot, choose a location that gets plenty of sunshine. This is especially important if you live in a region with mild winters, as lavender can tolerate cooler temperatures but still needs sunlight to bloom.

Watering lavender is a crucial aspect of its growth, and most gardening experts recommend watering every second day until new plants are established.

This frequency can be adjusted to watering around one to two times per week if the lavender is planted in the garden. However, if it's planted in pots, it will always need to be watered every second day.

It's essential to avoid wetting the foliage, as this can cause damage to the plant.

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Planting lavender in the spring is the best time to do so. Young plants will often struggle to survive if planted too close to winter, making spring the ideal season for a healthy start.

Lavender can thrive in a variety of conditions, but it's generally best to plant it in the spring.

Intriguing read: When Is the Best Time to Plant Lavender Seeds

French lavender can thrive in a variety of soil conditions, but it does require some extra effort if it's not planted in sandy soil.

If you want to create a suitable environment for French lavender, simply working sand into the bed can make a big difference.

Spike lavender and true lavender, on the other hand, need a calcareous environment to grow well, which can be achieved by adding a commercial lime fertilizer to the soil.

Waterlogging is the enemy of Mediterranean plants like lavender, so it's essential to water and fertilize them minimally.