Types of lavender plants encompass a diverse and enchanting array of aromatic herbs within the Lavandula genus. These distinctive variations, each with unique characteristics, hue, and growth habits, have captured the fascination of gardeners, herbalists, and aroma enthusiasts worldwide.
One well-known variety is Lavandula angustifolia, often referred to as English lavender. Renowned for its calming fragrance, it is a staple in aromatherapy and prized for its oil.
Lavandula stoechas, or Spanish lavender, stands out with its striking bracts and robust constitution, thriving in warmer climates.
Lavender isn’t limited to classic purple; it spans a spectrum of colors. Lavandula x intermedia ‘Gross, which is a kind of lavender, has blossoms that are a rich violet color.
In contrast, regular Lavandula has beautifully serrated leaves that exemplify its elegance. As we delve into the enchanting world of lavender, we’ll explore these and more, discovering the beauty and utility of each type in gardens, homes, and beyond.
Different Types of Lavender Plants
Here are the different types of lavender plants:
1: The Egyptians
Egyptian lavender, or Lavandula, is a species of lavender characterized by finely textured, silvery leaves resembling ferns. It is also known by the name Fern leaf lavender.
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The flowers of this kind of lavender have a more intricate structure than those of other lavender, which helps to distinguish this plant as a one-of-a-kind specimen that can be added to aroma gardens and herbal beds.
Egyptian lavender is the way to go if you are looking for something different from what you are used to seeing. It works well in the kitchen, as well as for crafts, dry arrangements, and the fabrication of bouquets, and it is ideal for all of these activities.
2: Munstead
Munstead lavender, one of the most well-known varieties of English lavender, is also one of the most cold-resistant. Lavender ‘Munstead’ has several uses; it is a wonderful decorative but is also often used in the kitchen and for arts and crafts.
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In addition, the wonderful aroma of this lavender makes it an excellent option for a pollinator garden. The crooked growth of the flowers makes them unsuitable for use in bouquets, although they dry well.
That’s why ‘Munstead’ is essential for making fragrant sachets, potpourris, and lavender-scented eye pillows.
3: Hidcote
The Hidcote’ type of English lavender, known for its prolific blooming, is popular among English gardeners and craftspeople. This lavender has a wonderful aroma that lingers for a long time, and the rich purple blooms retain their coloration even after drying.
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The greenish-blue color of the plant’s foliage goes well with the flowers. Expect ‘Hidcote’ to reach a mature height of 12 to 20 inches.
4: The ‘Goodwin Creek Gray
In botanical terms, ‘Goodwin Creek Gray’ is classified as a French lavender type with a highly distinctive appearance. The feathery look of the leaves, which have a silvery sheen and are aromatic, is achieved by the heavily lobed margins of the leaves.
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Because of these leaves and the plant’s dark purple blooms that are fashioned like cones, this lavender is a breathtaking sight to see. It takes around 24 inches to grow ‘Goodwin Creek Gray,’ has long-lasting blooms, and is low-maintenance.
5: Kew Red
‘Kew Red’ is a Spanish cultivar that blooms profusely and has flower bracts, a two-toned combination of red and pale pink. The plant’s leaves, which have a greenish-gray colour, provide an attractive contrast to the enormous flowers.
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Because it may reach a height of up to 24 inches and grow into a neat mound, ‘Kew Red’ is ideal for use in both container gardens and flower beds planted directly in the ground. Give this type a little trim after it flowered in the summer to encourage a flush of fuller blooms in the fall.
6: Vera
The English lavender variety known as ‘Vera’ is a heritage plant cultivated in the Mediterranean for generations. For those interested in aromatherapy or making their lavender soaps and other lavender-scented items, ‘Vera’ is one of the greatest lavender cultivars to cultivate due to its highly valued smell.
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The English lavender variety known as ‘Vera’ is a heritage plant cultivated in the Mediterranean for generations.
The full height of ‘Vera’ is around 18 inches, and it thrives in dry, sunny locations and may even survive in poor soils. Dried ‘Vera’ lavender has at least two harvests of fragrant blossoms and retains its distinctive aroma far into the winter.
7: Gross
‘Gross’ lavender is an ideal choice for cooks due to its compatibility with sweets, syrups, and herbal teas. Its long stems are perfect for crafting dried lavender bouquets, making it great for decorations and cut flowers.
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This lavender variety is not only well-known but also one of the largest. Regular pruning can control its size, as it can grow up to 3 feet in height and 4 feet in width. During summer, ‘Gross’ produces an abundant and fragrant display of flowers.
However, it thrives in well-draining, sandy, and poor soils and is unsuitable for high humidity. If you live in a hot and humid place like Florida, consider ‘Phenomenal’ lavender instead.
8: Crystal Lights
Although it originated in New Zealand, ‘Crystal Lights’ may be adapted to thrive in various conditions. It is most successful in moderate coastal regions.
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Most varieties of lavender have dark purple flowers; however, ‘Crystal Lights’ is a rare lavender hybrid with delicate white petals and a propensity to grow more compactly.
Try planting ‘Crystal Lights’ in a container since it will only reach a height of around 15 inches when it is completely grown, or combine it with a colorful variety of Spanish lavender for plenty of contrast in the yard.
9: Phenomenal
The ‘Phenomenal’ lavender is best for humid climates. While this hybrid lavender is known for its capacity to resist cold temperatures, it can also survive excessive heat and humidity or drought.
For a plant that requires little care and attention, you only need to remember to allow ‘Phenomenal’ enough space to spread out.
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The plant produces an abundance of deep purple blooms throughout the summer, which are extremely appealing when seen atop the plant’s warm green foliage. In addition, butterflies and other pollinators are drawn to this lavender.
10: The Artist Van Gogh
Van Gogh Lavender is a medium-sized lavender that may reach a height of around 30 inches. The dazzling white petals of the bracts, which appear in various colors from light purple to blue, give this plant its colourful floral namesake.
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Because ‘Van Gogh’ is one of the very few lavenders of the Spanish type with white blossoms, this specimen is one of a kind. However, the fact that this particular kind of lavender produces white flowers is not the only reason to keep it as a plant in your garden.
In addition, it has deep and dark green foliage, it has a vigorous growth pattern, and it produces an abundance of blooms.
11: Anouk
Anouk is a kind of Spanish lavender well-known for having particularly distinctive and enormous bracts and huge petals with a plum coloration that becomes pink as the bloom starts to mature.
‘Anouk’ has a lovely silvery tinge to its fragrant leaves and is often called “butterfly lavender” because of its enormous flowers.
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In addition, ‘Anouk’ has huge blossoms. ‘Anouk’ is a Spanish variety that blooms in May, much like the other Spanish kinds do. However, it also produces many flushes of flowers again in late summer and early autumn.
After the plant’s summer blossoms have wilt, you may prune it to stimulate fresh blooms in the fall by giving it a haircut. ‘Anouk’ is not only naturally resistant to deer, but it also flourishes in soils that are poor, dry, rocky, or sandy.
12: Portuguese
The Portuguese variety of lavender, which is native to the Mediterranean area and is known for being one of the less hardy kinds of the plant, may grow in abundance in Portugal, France, and Italy.
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Since Portuguese lavender is most successful when planted in warm climates, it is unable to survive the winter outside and must either be treated as an annual or brought inside for the winter in zones six and below.
The Portuguese kind of lavender blooms later in the season than many other forms of lavender and produces flowers with a lovely two-toned purple pattern. It is most well-known for its high concentration of essential oil.