How many species of lavender are there

Currently there are over 45 different species with over 450 varieties. More lavender species/varieties have yet to be classified. Lavender belongs to the genus Lavandula.

What are the 4 types of lavender?

English Lavender, Portuguese Lavender, French Lavender, Spanish Lavender, Lavandin.

What type of lavender is there?

There are so many varieties of Lavender, that it can be confusing to gardeners as to which ones are the best for their area. There are three primary species of lavender that are most widely planted: English Lavender, French Hybrid Lavender, and Spanish Lavender.

Which variety of lavender is best?

The most fragrant Lavender plants are the Lavandin (Lavandula x intermedia). Several cultivars of English Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) are also prized for their delightful scent. Lavandula x intermedia, also called Lavandin, is a hybrid cross between Lavandula angustifolia and Lavandula latifolia.

What is the prettiest lavender?

The highly fragrant French lavender (Lavandula stoechas, 1-3′) has some of the showiest flowers of all the lavenders. The Mediterranean native was grown by the Romans for its exceptional scent, and its ability to thrive in hot and dry conditions. It is a bit hardier, surviving to USDA Hardiness Zones 7-10.

What's the difference between culinary lavender and regular lavender?

While crafting lavender might also be sifted, culinary lavender is sifted multiple times so that all that remains is the lavender buds (and not leaves, stems or dried calyxes, which enclose the petals and form a protective layer around the lavender flower).

What's the difference between Spanish lavender and English lavender?

Spanish lavender has showier flowers than French lavender and their leaves are not scalloped but straight like English lavender. Sometimes you will see it referred to as Rabbit Ears due to the shape of the flower petals.

What is the longest flowering lavender?

A: Two of the longest blooming kinds of lavender are Lavandula angustifolia ‘Irene Doyle’ and the hybrid L.‘Goodwin Creek Grey. ‘ The best way to have lavender blooming all summer is to plant several different kinds that bloom sequentially.

What is the best English lavender?

Lavandula angustifolia ‘Hidcote’ ‘Hidcote’ is one of the best known of all lavender varieties, for good reason. It’s a compact variety of English lavender with mid-purple flowers and is ideal for planting in borders or as dwarf hedging.

What is the hardiest lavender?

The English lavender species (Lavandula angustifolia) are the most hardy of all lavender species, able to tolerate winter frosts, snow, wind and deer and rabbit resistance. English lavenders are hardy to zone 5 and can be grown in a temperate climate.

Article first time published on

Do all types of lavender flower?

Because not all Lavenders bloom at the same time and some bloom continuously, producing flowers all spring and summer. Planting one of each in your garden will reward you with heavenly fragrance and attractive flower spikes from spring until late summer.

What is the darkest purple lavender?

Lavandula x intermedia ‘Impress Purple’ (Lavender) Probably the darkest purple flowered Lavender of all! A favorite for cut flowers and fresh bouquets.

Why are my lavender flowers not purple?

The reasons for lavender not flowering are usually because the plant is stressed. Lavenders are adapted to sandy soils of low fertility. If the soil is too rich and nutrient dense then the lavender will grow leggy and produce fewer flowers.

Why does my lavender plant not smell?

The reason lavenders do not smell is usually to do with a lack of sunlight or soil that is too fertile. The less sun a lavender receives, the less flowers and oils will be produced which ultimately limits the lavenders smell. Lavenders need full sun and low to medium fertility soils to produce the best fragrance.

What is the easiest lavender to grow?

English lavenders are the easiest lavenders to grow, with varieties such as ‘Munstead’ and ‘Hidcote’ regarded as the easiest and most versatile lavender varieties as they require minimal maintenance and can survive in both hot and cold climates.

Are there dwarf lavender plants?

Dwarf lavenders, which stay under 2 feet tall (see list below), are compact alternatives to the common varieties that can grow to 4 feet or taller. They’re particularly suitable for small beds, border edgings, even containers. … Flowers can be pale purple, violet, pink, or white and many varieties are intensely aromatic.

Which smells stronger French or English lavender?

English Lavenders have a stronger and sweeter aroma (especially the varieties Hidcote and Munstead). French lavender aroma tends to not be as strong as English lavenders, although it still exudes a nice, more subtle fragrance.

Is Provence lavender English lavender?

Lavandin (Lavandula x Intermedia) is a popular hybrid lavender combining the cold-hardiness of the English lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) and the heat tolerance of the Portuguese lavender (Lavandula latifolia), therefore providing an answer to the gardeners’ worldwide quest for a Provencal atmosphere in their …

Is Grosso lavender English or French?

Lavandula ‘Grosso’ is a classic French hybrid Lavender grown for its fragrant dark blue flower spikes and vigorous growth habit. With nice wide gray-green foliage, ‘Grosso’ is a large grower and blooms heavily providing an ample harvest of flowers for lavender wands, sachets, and culinary use.

How do I identify English lavender?

Simply use your nose and eyes to identify lavender plants. Identify English lavender (L. angustifolia) by its sweeter fragrance with less of a camphor odor. You can also identify English lavender by its bloom period, which begins in early summer.

Which lavender is not edible?

Thus, the Lavandula X Intermedia also carries a camphorous scent although it is not as strong as the Latifolia lavender. Thus, varieties in the species Lavandula X Intermedia are not often considered edible lavender.

Can you eat fresh lavender?

Yes, you can eat lavender! Lavender is an herb just like rosemary and thyme and you can eat lavender in endless dishes, drinks and sides! … Lavender is very popular in sweet and savory dishes. One of our favorites is Lavender Lemonade (below) – it even changes color as you make it!

What happens if you don't prune lavender?

An annual pruning is an important step for long-lasting lavender (Lavandula spp. and hybrids) plants. Without it they grow a large, lanky, woody base that can split open — it looks bad and shortens the plant’s lifespan.

What is the difference between Hidcote and Munstead lavender?

Hidcote lavender has a deeper, violet-blue color for the flowers and the flower head is more compact. The foliage is silver-gray and changes color slightly through the seasons. Munstead flowers are somewhat ‘looser’ and lighter in color.

Is there a lavender that blooms all summer?

Alternatively, you can simply choose a variety of Lavender which blooms almost continuously from spring to summer’s end. Fitting this description are Lavandula stoechas cultivars (Spanish Lavender), which produce several full flushes of flowers during the growing season, provided their flowers are cut after each flush.

What month is lavender in season?

Lavender SpeciesWhen does it bloom?How long does it bloom for?English lavenderMay/June4 weeksFrench LavenderMay/JuneUp to 3 months until FallHybrid lavenderJune/JulyUp to 2 months until late Summer

How long does a lavender plant live?

When sited correctly and pruned judiciously, lavenders should live for five to seven years. Although lavender is fairly drought tolerant, adequate moisture is required throughout the growing season. Most critical are the weeks after planting to ensure that soil around the rootball does not dry out.

Will lavender come back every year?

Lavender is a Low-Maintenance Perennial And this beauty will come back to your garden every year, for about 3-5 years, so it’s a great investment. What is this? Before you make any plant purchases, however, I want to remind you to always choose plants that thrive in your plant hardiness zone.

Can lavender survive snow?

English Lavender varieties, are the only lavender species which is cold hardy and will regularly survive winters in colder climates, despite frosts and snow. The Popular English variety lavender Hidcote Superior can even reportedly survive temperatures up to -30 °C (-20 °F) during winter.

Does lavender need to be covered in winter?

Lavender is a drought tolerant plant and prefers to be dry, so you want to ensure good drainage. A slope or small raised bed would help ensure the plant has good drainage and stays dry and happy. Third, it is important to cover your Lavender plants (zone 5 and below) with winter protection.

Is English lavender a perennial or an annual?

In the garden, English lavender forms a rounded mound that’s roughly 24 to 36 inches tall and wide when plants are mature. These fragrant perennials are hardy in Zones 5 to 10 and have a sunny disposition.