Lavender is a popular aromatic herb that is used in a variety of products, from soaps and shampoos to essential oils and tea. There are over 40 species of lavender, with some of the most common being English lavender (Lavandula angustifolia), French lavender (Lavandula stoechas), and Spanish lavender (Lavandula stoechas). Within these species, there are numerous strains or cultivars that have been bred for specific characteristics. Let’s take a closer look at some of the most common lavender strains.
English Lavender
English lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) is native to the Mediterranean region and is the most commonly grown type of lavender. There are over 200 cultivars of English lavender that have been bred for different qualities:
- Hidcote – One of the most popular English lavender cultivars, Hidcote has deep purple flowers and a sweet aroma. It grows in compact mounds and blooms in early summer.
- Munstead – Munstead has light purple flowers on short stalks. It has a milder fragrance than some other English lavender varieties. Munstead grows slowly but spreads nicely.
- Twickel Purple – Twickel Purple is known for its vivid violet-blue flower spikes. It has a robust lavender aroma and grows up to 24 inches tall.
- Jean Davis – Jean Davis is an exceptionally winter hardy English lavender, making it a good choice for colder regions. It has semi-double lavender-pink flowers.
- Imperial Gem – Imperial Gem is a compact English lavender that grows up to 15 inches tall. It has abundant lavender-blue flowers on short stalks.
In general, English lavenders are known for their beautiful flowers, fragrance, and versatility. They are great for borders, containers, and sachets.
French Lavender
French lavender (Lavandula stoechas) is distinguished from English lavender by its shorter, stubbier flower spikes and fragrant, frilly bracts on top of the flower heads. Some popular French lavender varieties include:
- Hidcote Giant – A sterile hybrid between English and French lavender, Hidcote Giant has pretty cream-colored bracts atop deep violet flower heads.
- Otto Quast – Otto Quast has large violet flowers with big rose-pink bracts. It has a pleasant aroma and grows up to 24 inches tall.
- Anouk – Anouk is an early blooming lavender with compact growth and abundant rose-purple blooms.
- Grosso – Grosso is known for its thick, bushy growth habit and bold violet flower spikes. It has a strong herbal aroma.
- Provence – Provence is one of the most cold hardy French lavender varieties. It produces masses of lavender blooms on 18 inch plants.
The bracts on French lavenders are showy and fragrant. These varieties are popular for cut flower arrangements and potpourris.
Spanish Lavender
Spanish lavender (Lavandula stoechas) is often confused with French lavender, but it is its own distinct species. Some key details about popular Spanish lavender cultivars:
- Madrid Pink – This Spanish lavender has bright pink bracts on top of compact purple flower heads. Madrid Pink has a strongly aromatic, penetrating scent.
- Richard Gray – Richard Gray produces masses of fat, furry lavender flower spikes. The bracts are a mix of purple and creamy white.
- Jean Davis – Not to be confused with the English lavender variety, this Jean Davis has enormous pink bracts atop the flower heads. It has good heat tolerance.
- Lilac Heart – Lilac Heart is a dwarf Spanish lavender, growing only 8 inches tall. It is covered with flowers that have pretty lilac bracts.
- Bee-You – Bee-You has slim blue-violet flower spikes with violet-tinged bracts. It blooms in late spring and has a sweet floral scent.
Spanish lavenders tend to be smaller, slower growing plants compared to other lavender species. Their colorful bracts make them excellent for containers and edging.
Lavandin
Lavandin (Lavandula x intermedia) is a sterile hybrid cross between English lavender and spike lavender. Lavandin varieties produce high yields of essential oil. Common lavandin cultivars include:
- Grosso – The most popular lavandin used for essential oil production, Grosso has intense color and scent. It grows up to 3 feet tall.
- Provence – With silver-gray foliage and bold lavender flower spikes, Provence is another commercially important lavandin. It has camphoraceous notes.
- Super – Super lavandin lives up to its name, producing high oil yields from its abundant blooms. It has a well-branched, uniform growth habit.
- Fred Boutin – Selected for its frost hardiness, Fred Boutin has deep blue-purple flower spikes and sturdy stems.
- Seal – Seal has compact, mounding growth reaching 18 inches tall. The flowers are violet-blue on upright stalks.
Lavandin is prized by the perfume industry but also makes an attractive landscape plant. It tolerates heat and resists common lavender pests and diseases.
Woolly Lavender
Woolly lavender (Lavandula lanata) gets its name from the soft, gray-white hairs that cover its foliage. Some woolly lavender varieties include:
- Silver Frost – This variety has gray leaves with slightly serrated edges. The flowers are pale lilac. It forms a low bushy mound.
- Jack Howard – Jack Howard has olive green leaves with a pronounced silvery sheen. The flowers are deep violet-blue.
- Ana Luisa – Ana Luisa is a dwarf woolly lavender, reaching just 6 inches tall. It has gray foliage and bright violet flowers.
- Richard Gray – In addition to Spanish lavender, there is a woolly lavender named Richard Gray. It has gray foliage and tubular purple flowers.
- Melissa Lilac – The plump purple flowers of Melissa Lilac contrast nicely with its silver foliage. It spreads 24 inches wide.
Woolly lavender varieties are prized for their attractive foliage and texture. They thrive in hot, dry conditions.
Conclusion
There are many different lavender strains within the most common lavender species. English lavenders like Munstead and Twickel Purple are known for their beautiful flowers and fragrance. French lavenders like Anouk and Grosso have showy, colorful bracts atop the flowers. Spanish lavenders like Madrid Pink and Lilac Heart are compact plants prized for their brightly colored blooms. Lavandin hybrids like Super and Seal produce high yields of essential oils. Woolly lavenders like Silver Frost and Ana Luisa have attractive silvery foliage. Whatever your needs and growing conditions, there is sure to be a lavender strain perfect for your garden.