Did you know that lavender is more than just a pretty flower? Studies have found that its scent has calming effects on the nervous system, reducing stress and anxiety1.
And the best part? With over 400 varieties available, lavender is a common and versatile choice of perennial flower for gardens across the globe. Here are the 12 most popular lavender types that every gardener should consider adding to their collection.
1. English Lavender: The Classic Charmer
English Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) is the most popular and widely cultivated type, stealing hearts with its sweet aroma and cold hardiness. Cultivars like ‘Hidcote’ and ‘Munstead’ are crowd favorites, offering a deep violet-purple hue that dries beautifully for sachets and potpourris and is an excellent culinary flavoring.
2. French Lavender: The Toothed Beauty
French Lavender (Lavandula dentata) is easily recognized by its distinctive toothed leaves and pale purple flowers topped with delicate bracts. It thrives best in zones 8-11 and is known for its tolerance to heat and humidity.
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3. Spanish Lavender: Uniquely Shaped Showstopper
Spanish Lavender (Lavandula stoechas) is a showstopper with its unique pineapple-shaped purple flowers topped with colorful “rabbit ear” bracts. This drought-resistant variety thrives in hot, sunny climates in zones 7-10.
4. Lavandin: A Fragrant Hybrid
Lavandin (Lavandula x intermedia) is a hybrid cross between English and Portuguese lavender, prized for its high essential oil content. (ref) Cultivars like ‘Grosso’ and ‘Provence’ are known for their strong fragrance and long stems.
5. Portuguese Lavender: Camphor Queen
Portuguese Lavender (Lavandula latifolia), also known as spike lavender, is native to the western Mediterranean. Its pale purple flowers and high camphor content in the essential oil set it apart from other varieties with its use as an antifungal, antiviral, and antibacterial.
6. Woolly Lavender: The Silver-White Stunner
Woolly Lavender (Lavandula lanata) is a sight to behold with its silver-white woolly leaves that provide a striking contrast against its tall, deep purple flower spikes. Native to Spain, this variety requires well-drained soil.
7. Yellow Lavender: A Springtime Surprise
Yellow Lavender (Lavandula viridis) is an unusual variety that breaks the mold with its pale yellow-green flowers. This early bloomer brings a unique twist to the traditional lavender color palette.
8. Fernleaf Lavender: The Delicate Delight
Fernleaf Lavender (Lavandula multifida) is a dainty variety with distinctive fern-like, deeply lobed leaves and pale purple flowers. This ornamental lavender grows best in zones 8-10.
9. ‘Ballerina’: The Showy Spanish Stunner
‘Ballerina’ (Lavandula stoechas) is a Spanish lavender that steals the show with its deep purple flowers and large, showy white-pink bracts. This long-blooming variety puts on a spectacular display from late spring to fall.
10. ‘Hidcote’: Versatile Violet
‘Hidcote’ (Lavandula angustifolia) is a popular English lavender variety known for its deep violet-purple flowers that dry beautifully. Blooming in early summer, this hardy cultivar thrives in zones 5-9.
11. ‘Anouk’: The Early Bloomer
‘Anouk’ (Lavandula stoechas) is a Spanish lavender that sets itself apart by blooming earlier than its French counterparts. With plump, dark purple flowers and light purple bracts, this variety adds a touch of elegance to any garden.
12. ‘Melissa’: Soft & Sweet
‘Melissa’ (Lavandula angustifolia) is an English lavender that charms with its soft, pale pink flowers that appear almost white from a distance. This variety is known for its incredibly sweet fragrance.
In conclusion, the world of lavender is vast and varied, offering a range of colors, fragrances, and growth habits to suit every gardener’s needs. By incorporating these 12 common types into your garden, you’ll be able to create a stunning and aromatic oasis that will bring joy for years to come.
Lavender: A Fragrant World Awaits
Exploring the 12 most common types of lavender reveals a world of fragrance, beauty, and versatility. Whether you prefer classic hues or unexpected colors, there’s a lavender variety perfect for every garden.
Source:
1. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov article
Nancy has been a plant person from an early age. That interest blossomed into a bachelor’s in biology from Elmira College and a master’s degree in horticulture and communications from the University of Kentucky. Nancy worked in plant taxonomy at the University of Florida and the L. H. Bailey Hortorium at Cornell University, and wrote and edited gardening books at Rodale Press in Emmaus, PA. Her interests are plant identification, gardening, hiking, and reading.