Are you THINKING about planting Lavender this season but AREN’T SURE which type to plant?
There are wide varieties of Lavender. Each VARIETY thrives in different CONDITIONS.
So it is crucial to CHOOSE ONE that suits your garden.
If you feel overwhelmed in this regard, don’t worry.
We have searched a lot about Lavenders and got many details about their varieties.
As HORTICULTURE EXPERTS, we offer valuable insights into different types of Lavender. These insights help you to grow BEAUTIFUL FLOWERS in your garden.
With our HELP, you choose the PERFECT CULTIVAR according to your requirements.
So, let’s dive into the DETAILS of the popular types of Lavender.
What are the 5 Main Types of Lavender?
Lavender is a POPULAR perennial HERB known for its calming and relaxing properties.
There are about 47 Lavender species with over 450 varieties. Each variety has its own unique characteristics and features.
Here are five MAIN Lavender types :
English Lavender
English Lavender is also called Common Lavender or True Lavender.
Despite its name, ‘English Lavender,’ it is actually NATIVE to the Mediterranean.
It is the most COMMON type of growing Lavender and is FAMOUS for its sweet fragrance.
It has narrow, gray-green leaves and PRODUCES spikes of purple flowers.
Like other varieties, English Lavenders are DROUGHT-RESILIENT and thrive in full sun. But this type of growing Lavender plant is WELL-SUITED to cool temperature climates.
It is commonly USED in
- Aromatherapies
- Herbal Remedies
- As a decorative plant in the garden
Spanish Lavender
Spanish Lavenders have popular, STRONGLY scented Lavender flowers. They are WELL-KNOWN for their larger flowers with PINECONE-shaped petals at the top.
These types THRIVE in the warm GROWING ZONE and tolerate more humidity and heat than others.
And what about its SCENT? Right
Spanish types of Lavender have a strong CAMPHOR-like fragrance. It is often used in perfume and other scents.
Portuguese Lavender
Portuguese Lavender is also called spike Lavender due to its tall, thin stem and plant habit.
It has narrow, gray-green foliage with SHORT pale purple flower spikes.
These types grow RECKLESS in the Mediterranean climate and are very TOLERANT to heat.
Portuguese Lavender is not generally GROWN in gardens. Instead, it has been used EXTENSIVELY in breeding NEW TYPES of hybrid Lavender.
- The plant is OFTEN, used in perfumes, soaps, and other fragrances.
- It is also used as an ORNAMENTAL plant in rock gardens and mixed borders.
- This Lavender oil is used in aromatherapy for its CALMING properties.
Lavandin
Lavandins are English HYBRIDS that belong to the species Lavandula intermedia.
Most Lavandin kinds were MADE by crossing
- English Lavender ‘Lavandula angustifolia’
- Portuguese Lavender ‘Lavandula latifolia.’
So, they have a cold tolerance of English Lavender. But the heat tolerance of Portuguese Lavender.
Being hybrids, these types MANAGE to be the most VIGOROUS and DISEASE- RESISTANT.
They bloom LATER than other Lavender species and have EXTREMELY strong fragrances.
It is often used in
- Cleaning products
- Air Fresheners
French Lavender
French Lavender is also called fringed Lavender or Butterfly Lavender.
This type is known for its TOOTHED, gray green foliage and vibrant rich purple flowers.
Their flowers are a bit FLUFFIER and tend to be TOPPED with terminal bracts, just like ‘rabbit ears.’
These ears provide the most STUNNING visual effect of the plant.
And yes, it’s fragrance!
LISTEN! French Lavender is not strong and sweet-scented as English and Spanish Lavender.
They are MOSTLY ornamental and are RARELY used in culinary or herbal preparations.
20 Popular Lavender Varieties
Selecting the APPROPRIATE type of Lavender for your gardening REQUIREMENTS can be DAUNTING.
But trust me.
We have RESEARCHED some varieties for you that DEFINITELY suit your NEEDS.
So let’s EXPLORE TWENTY POPULAR Lavender types and their PROPERTIES.
1. Betty’s Blue
This English Lavender plant has a dense growth HABIT that forms DOME-SHAPED bushes.
Want to know how awesome this is?
The flowers on Betty’s Blue are PRETTY LARGE and colored in deep violet-blue. These blooms are DELIGHTFULLY fragrant and sweet, which ATTRACT pollinators
And what about its adaptations?
LISTEN! Betty’s Blue is specifically WELL-ADAPTED to hot, humid climates. So it can TOLERATE heat and drought once ESTABLISHED.
- Hardiness zones: 5-9.
- Size: These tiny plants typically are only 2-3 feet tall and wide.
- Flowering Season: They bloom once in midsummer. But sometimes offer a second slight flush in the fall.
2. Lavenite Petite
If you DESIRE INTENSE perfume fragrance, this type is MAINLY for you.
This English Lavender is a bushier plant with a LONG stem and pom-pom-shaped flower.
These flowers are EXTREMELY ODOROUS with a striking, light purple coloration. It is WIDELY known as ONE of the most WONDERFUL stains of Lavender.
- Hardiness zones: 5-9
- Size: They grow 1 to 2 feet in height and spread. Being an elfin type, it has short stems that only grow about 6 to 8 inches long.
- Flowering Season: This variety blooms once or twice in mid to late spring. But the evergreen sage-silvery foliage continues to share its perfume after bloom expires.
3. Hidcote
Hidcote’ is one of the MOST PREVALENT English Lavender in the world. Personally, I love this variety TOO.
Want to know how AWESOME is this?
Hidcote’ has a LONG-LASTING and SWEET scent that excludes from its flower spikes.
The CONTRAST of dark purple flowers against the greenish-blue foliage SEEMS INCREDIBLE.
COOL, right? Let me tell you something more about it.
LISTEN! When this variety dries out, the flowers retain their color. So, it is excellent to use for crafts and decorations.
- Hardiness zones: 5-9
- Size: Hidcote grows to 1-1.6 feet in height and 2 ft spread, creating a nice shapely bush.
- Flowering Season: The plant blooms in late spring to early summer.
4. Royal Purple
Royal Purple is a COMPACT English Lavender that WORKS well when GROWN at the
- Front borders
- Pots, or
- Hedging
The NARROW evergreen shrub and long deep purple spikes KEEP their color after dying.
Thus, it gives structure to a garden throughout the year.
Get this?
Ideally, Royal Blue plants should be REPLACED every 3-4 years.
The reason is that they EVENTUALLY become woody at the base. Especially if not PRUNED regularly.
But with the correct CONSISTENT pruning, they can LAST much longer.
- Hardiness zones: 5-8
- Size: The intensely aromatic shrub grows about 2-3 in height. But it spreads up to 3-4 feet.
- Flowering Season: These plants bloom in early spring.
5. Nana Alba
Nana Alba is a “dwarf dawn” variety of English Lavender with a UNIQUE shape and color.
Nana Alba has pure white flowers and attractive gray-green foliage. Due to these qualities, I use this variety to cover the ground, and so it becomes perfect for:
- Container gardening
- Patio Gardens
- Terraces
Like other varieties, it is a HARDY plant that can TOLERATE heat and drought once ESTABLISHED.
Thus, it PREFERS well-draining, sandy soil and FULL sun exposure.
- Hardiness zone: It is between 5-9
- Size: Roughly about 1 ft in height, while 1-2 ft in breadth.
- Flowering Season: Blooms once in midsummer. But it may have a second, smaller flush during the growing season.
6. Royal Velvet
This English Lavender plant has tall floral stems, which are perfect for cuttings.
Royal Velvet is KNOWN for its stunning SOFT-HUED dark violet flowers.
These blossoms SPECKLE its velvety-textured spikes.
The spikes have an upright OBSESSION and can be 4 inches long.
Want to know about its scent?
LISTEN! The blossoms EXUDE a TREMENDOUS perfume that attracts pollinators as well as humans.
- Hardiness zones: 5-8
- Size: Between 2-3 feet tall and spread.
- Flowering Season: These plants usually flower only once in the late spring. But trimming the flowers after each bloom can give you more blooms.
7. Folgate
This VARIETY is well known for its GENEROSITY and thick deep blue flowers. They are highly FRAGRANT flowers and attractive to pollinators.
The INFLORESCENCE are regular for an English Lavender variety. But Folagte will grow LOADS of them.
COOL, right?
WELL! It is an excellent FILLER of color and scent for borders, hedges, and beds
So, you can safely RELY on it to LIGHT UP your garden with a PROSPERITY of color that makes all the DIFFERENCE.
- Hardiness zones: 5-9
- Size: 2 to 3 feet in both height and width.
- Flowering Season: In mid to late spring. If you cut flowers that are dry, it may provide you with a second blossom at the beginning of summer.
8. Grosso
It is the best variety for you if you LOVE to use Lavender in desserts or dried ties.
Grosso is a Lavandin Lavender with lovely bluish-purple spikes.
Despite being a STRONG plant, its habit is ELEGANT, with many LONG stems for Lavender wands. The long and CHARMING stems are cut BEAUTIFULLY for DISPLAY in floral arrangements.
Regarding my EXPERIENCE, Grosso prefers LOW-FERTILITY soil that is well-drained and sandy. This variety can withstand cold winters as low as 15 ºF.
- Hardiness zones: 5-8
- Size: This variety grows about 2-3 ft in height and spread.
- Flowering Season: They typically bloom in mid to late summer. It can last for years if pruned directly after flowering in the late summer.
9. Sensational
Sensational is an IMPROVED, easy-to-grow hybrid.
It has EXCEPTIONALLY huge dark blue flowers on a compact plant.
The silver-tone foliage yields thick stems and a PLEASANT bushy pattern.
Sensational Lavender has a mild to high level of FLORAL FRAGRANCE. It can EAGERLY thrive in sunny, hot, and dry conditions.
Its vigor and EYE-CATCHING flowers make it ideal for NOVICE growers.
- Hardiness zones: 5-9
- Size: The plant grows 2-3 feet in height and spread.
- Flowering Season: It generally blooms from mid-summer to early fall.
10. Phenomenal
Like Grosso, Phenomenal is a Lavandin Hybrid with DEFINITIVE Lavender inflorescences.
It is POPULAR for its cold hardiness and drought tolerance. But it also performs well in high heat and humidity CLIMATES.
The flowers are MAGNIFICENTLY hued with Purple to Blue to Lilac tones on each spike.
The PLUS POINT I have experienced while growing this variety is that it doesn’t require any REMARKABLE MAINTENANCE. Instead, it is very easy to grow in herbal, ornamental, or edible gardens.
Just provide them with PLENTY of space to thrive.
- Hardiness zones: 5 to 9
- Size: 2 to 3 feet in height and width.
- Flowering Season: Blooms from mid to late summer.
11. Hidcote Giant
The DISTINCTIVE Lavandin Lavender has giant violet purple flowers blooming atop elongated stems.
It is known for its particularly LARGER SIZE and STRIKING deep purple flowers. The flowers are DENSELY packed on HIGHLY fragrant stems with sweet and spicy AROMAS.
It has the cold hardiness of English Lavender and the heat tolerance of Portuguese. Thus MAINTAINING an excellent drought tolerance and floral aroma.
It does EXCELLENT in dry soil, but drainage and air circulation are still NEEDED.
- Hardiness zone: 5 to 8
- Size: The plants are 2 to 3 feet tall and 3 to 4 feet spread.
- Flowering Season: It blooms from mid to late summer.
12. Impress Purple
This Lavender is POPULARLY used in bouquets for its bunches of flowers.
It has straight, long stems CROWNED with well-scented dark purple flowers.
These impressive plants are STUNNERS in mass plantings, herb gardens, or rock gardens.
Impress Purple doesn’t do WELL in humid climates.
I believe that the Impress Purple plant does well in FULL sun and dry, alkaline soil. But in humid climates, they do well if they get ENOUGH SPACING and air circulation.
- Hardiness zone: 6 to 8
- Size: This fast-growing hybrid grows 2-3 ft tall and bushes out 3-4 ft wide.
- Flowering Season: The Lavender blooms from mid to late summer. To ENHANCE blooming, removing FADED flowers will do the trick.
13. Anouk
It is a CULTIVAR of the French Lavender, known for its
- Compact size
- Attractive Appearance
- Abundant Blooms
Anouk is the SHOWIEST variety as it has very LARGE ears atop inflorescences, making it STAND OUT.
It has dark plum-colored flowers with vibrant violet that fade to pastel pink as they get older.
The flowers are ARRANGED in dense, upright spikes and are FRAGRANT with a sweet and spicy scent.
Get this?
LISTEN! Anouk LOOKS extra DISTINCTIVE in the garden due to its LOVELY dark green foliage.
The PLUS POINT of this variety is that it repels deer and rabbits. But MAGNETIZE your favorite butterflies and bees in your garden.
- Hardiness zone: 6 to 10
- Size: 1 to 2 feet in height and spread.
- Flowering Season: That variety blooms continuously throughout the summer. With numerous flushes from May through late fall. Prune after the PEAK summer bloom to ENCOURAGE sturdy flower stems in their fall flushes.
14. Rosea
Rosea is a variety of English Lavender with pale pink flowers RATHER than purple ones.
Well! The foliage is lighter gray-green than other English Lavender varieties.
Individuality, right?
Its UNIQUE COLORATION makes it an attractive and EYE-CATCHING addition to ornamental gardens.
Like other English varieties, it TOLERATES HIGH heat and drought with ease. Thus, Rosea prefers well-draining soil and full sun exposure.
- Hardiness: 5-9
- Size: It grows 2-3 ft in height and spread.
- Flowering Season: This type blooms once in late spring or early summer.
15. Fathead
Fathead is a GREAT COMPACT Spanish variety that grows in a bushy, mounded shape.
It has plump ROUND flower heads with dark purplish-black blossoms.
The blooms TEND to have light violet spikes that create a beautiful CONTRAST of colors.
Regarding its shape, it is PERFECT for containers or small gardens.
So, I RECOMMEND you to incorporate Fatheads into plantings ALONGSIDE
- Perennial alliums
- Border beds, and
- Patio perimeters
Now, let me tell you some general details about Fathead Lavender.
- Hardiness zone: 8 to 9
- Size: It can grow 1-2 feet both in height and breadth.
- Flowering Season: This French Lavender blooms from mid-late spring to late summer.
16. Little Lottie
If you want a sweet, cheeky VARIETY of English Lavender, ‘Little Lottie’ is for you.
It is a lovely DWARF Lavender, having blooms SPECKED with light pink flowers.
Beautiful, isn’t it?
WELL! Excelling in aesthetics and aroma, it is one of the best VERSATILE and UNIQUE white Lavenders.
Little Lottie is EXCELLENT to grow in containers and to use in CULINARY applications.
- Hardiness zone: 5 to 9
- Size: This is a dwarf variety that grows 1-2 feet tall and spreads up to 2-3 feet.
- Flowering Season: This Lavender tends to bloom ONCE in late spring or early summer.
17. Regal Splendour
Regal Splendour is a STUNNING and fragrant plant. Because of this, it has CAPTURED the hearts of many gardeners and mine as well.
This variety has THICK violet-blue spikes and long and UPRIGHT deep magenta ears. These ears or bracts look like a “fairy crown” on TOP OF HEADS among the foliage.
So if you want to SHOWCASE the ELEGANCE of French Lavender in pots, ‘Regal Splendour’ is BEST for you.
- Hardiness zone: 8 to 9
- Size: 2 to 3 feet in height and spread.
- Flowering Season: From mid-spring to late summer with three consecutive blooms.
18. Thumbelina Leigh
Thumbelina Leigh is popular for its PERFECT INTEGRATION into containers and small spaces.
They produce an ABUNDANCE of small, FRAGRANT purple flowers. The foliage is gray-green and highly aromatic with a sweet and herbaceous scent.
But what makes it different from the others?
LISTEN! This English variety THRIVES in poor soil and is remarkably drought tolerant.
It is also VALUED for its Lavender oil, which are used in various PERSONAL CARE products.
- Hardiness zone: 5 to 9
- Size: It averages 12-15 inches tall and 18 inches wide.
- Flowering season: It tends to bloom once in early to mid-summer. But if you prune the spent flowers early enough, they may blossom again later.
19. Ballerina
Ballerina is the GORGEOUS butterfly shaped fringed Lavender.
It has SHORT spikes of bluish-purple CONE-SHAPED flowers with FRILLY white ears on the TOP.
The multi-colored flowers look OUTSTANDING and magnify a BUZZING ARRAY of pollinators. Thus, the BICOLOR VARIETY is eager to please the gardens.
Its foliage is quite FAMILIAR to rosemary and has a LOVELY strong scent.
LISTEN! I used to put these plants in LOW-GROWING hedges. It is because they provide a VIBRANT POP of color against the GRASSY landscape.
- Hardiness zone: 8-9
- Size: 1 to 2 feet in height and breadth.
- Flowering Season: It blooms from mid-spring to late summer. Usually, once in May, then in June, and onward in August and September.
20. Kew Red
Kew Red is a BICOLOR Lavender with plump, crimson red flower heads. These flower heads are TOPPED with frilly pastel pink bracts, SOFTLY fading to white as they MATURE.
The ABUNDANCE of these STOUT blossoms stands out against the greenish-silver foliage.
And what about their thriving requirements?
They REQUIRE full sun, well-drained soil, and mid-summer pruning to PERFORM BEST.
Air circulation is also an essential FACTOR for this DENSELY flowering Lavender.
- Hardiness zone: 7-9
- Size: Grows about 2-3 feet in height and spread.
- Flowering Season: It has a flowering season from late spring to fall. So, flowers can be seen year-round in mild climates.
Suggested reading: Beautiful Plants That Look Like Lavender
FAQs about Types Of Lavender
1. What type of lavender is most fragrant?
Several cultivars of English Lavender are prized for their delightful scent.
But the most FRAGRANT Lavender plants are the Lavandin.
Lanadine x intermedia is a HYBRID CROSS between
· English Lavender ‘Lavandula angustifolia’
· Portuguese Lavender ‘Lavandula latifolia’
There are a number of Lavandin varieties. But the most WIDELY grown and probably the MOST FRAGRANT is ‘Grosso.’
2. Which lavender spreads the most?
The Lavender that spreads the most is TYPICALLY referred to as creeping Lavender.
The most COMMONLY GROWN creeping Lavenders are Lavandula stoechas (French Lavender).
It PRODUCES masses of purple-pink flowers with dark purple bracts.
3. What time of year do you plant lavender?
The DECENT time to plant Lavender is in the spring, PRECISELY from March to May when the soil is WARMING UP.
Contrarily, if you are PLANNING to plant during autumn. You need to CONSIDER a few things for its SURVIVAL during winter.
4. Does lavender need a lot of water?
Lavender doesn’t REQUIRE a lot of water unless it is TOO DRY.
Actually, Lavenders are quite DROUGHT-TOLERANT once established. Thus overwatering can be HARMFUL as it leads to root rot and other problems.
So, try to water the Lavender only ENOUGH so the root balls don’t DRY OUT.
What’s Next
You have got so many DETAILS about different TYPES of Lavender.
There are FIVE main types of Lavender.
Each of them contains SEVERAL SUBTYPES depending upon their color and blooming pattern.
Every variety has its own DISTINCT FEATURES and beauty. So you can plant whichever you LIKE the most.
That’s all.
If you want to LEARN more about plants, must visit AsterGardening.
Here you will GET authentic information regarding all the plants. So, if you have any QUERY, reach out to us.
