There are many stunning lavender varities, or types of lavender plants.  When you think of lavender, you no doubt think of a bushy plant with green stalks, at the end of which are strong-smelling purple blossoms.  Almost all lavender plant types fit this description, so how do you know what type you are looking at or which type of lavender you need or want? Read on to discover the many types of lavender.

This article lists the main uses and describes the most common species of lavender you are likely to come across. Additionally, if you plan to grow your own, you will want to read our note on growing zones (scroll to the bottom).

The many different ways you can use lavender – it’s so versatile!

Lavender is an incredibly versatile plant. In fact, you can use all of the lavender varieties for a wide range of purposes, including:

• Landscaping – hedges, garden borders, cottage gardens, containers and pots
• Essential oil – aromatherapy, medicinal, fragrances
• Culinary uses – in baking, savoury dishes and beverages
• Fresh cut lavender – in floral arrangements
• Dried and in crafts – in flower arrangements, scent sachets, and many more arts and craft applications.

In saying that, some lavender varieties lend themselves more strongly to particular uses.   You’ll find all of the information you need on this website.

The diverse varieties of lavender species

We know of about 47 different lavender species.  Most have purple flowers (many shades are possible), but lavender can also bloom in pink and white.  Leaf shapes are diverse, and the shade of the leaves, stalks and flowers can vary. The Angustofolia and the X Intermedia (lavandin) are two most common varieties of lavender in the northern hemisphere.

For more detailed information on the different varieties of lavender, be sure to check out the sections below. We have included pictures to help you identify what you currently have or what you might need. You’ll soon know all about french lavender vs english lavender, and you’ll fall in love with the incredible plant that is the phenomenal lavender.

Common name	Photo	Description	Mature height	Growing zones (hardiness)*	Bloom
Thumbelina Leigh (English Lavender)		Dwarf / short variety, dark flowers, good for short edging, rock gardens and containers.  Leaves are	30cm height 30cm spread	5-10	Summer
Hidcote (English Lavender)		Quite small with dark flowers, colour is bluish purple.  Good in containers / pots and planted as garden hedging.	50cm height 45cm spread	5-9	Spring and early summer
Munstead (English Lavender)		Medium light purple flowers, good in box gardens and containers.	60cm height 75cm spread	5-9	Late spring and early summer (blooms twice)
Buena Vista (Spanish)		Strong, sweet small, blooms all summer	45-60 cm height 35-45 cm spread	5-10	All summer long
Folgate (English Lavender)		Light blue flowers, one of the first to bloom	60cm height 60cm spread	5-9	Mid to late spring
Melissa Lilac (English Lavender)		medium plant with light pink flowers, good for garden hedging or pots	30-60cm height 60-90cm spread	5-10	All summer, can bloom 2-3 times
Edelweiss (French Lavender)		medium plant with white flowers	50cm height 50cm spread	5-10	Summer
Royal Velvet (English lavender)		dark purple flowers, medium size, long flower stems	60-75cm height 75-90cm spread	5-8	Late spring / early summer, blooms twice
Grosso (French)		Large, with bluish-purple flowers, fast-growing	50cm – 1m height 50cm – 1m spread	6-10	Summer
Betty’s Blue (English)		Dark purple flower, even blooms, stems do not splay. Good for low hedges and borders, and pots	60cm height 60cm spread	5-9	Mid-summer, second bloom possible
Provence (English / Portuguese hybrid)		Purple flowers, large plant, good in cottage gardens or hedges. Easy to take flowers off stem.	50cm – 1m height 50cm – 1m spread	6-10	Summer
Super (English)		Biggest blooms, fragrant, good for walkways and patios	25-30cm height 30-40cm spread	4-9	Summer
Maillette		Smaller flowers, grown for good quality oil, quite disease-resistent.	60cm height 75cm spread	5-9	Mid to late summer
Vera (English)		Great for containers, known for oil and dark blue flowers	1m height 1m spread	5-10	Spring to early summer

Cultivating phenomenal lavender and a crucial note on growing zones

When growing lavender, you should know that it is a perennial plant – this means that it will come back every year for a number of years.  The plants last between 3 and 15 years, depending on which type of lavender plant you have.

All varieties of lavender like hot sun and dry soil.  Don’t overwater them or keep them in humid places.  They love a good summer, as they originated in Mediterranean climates.  However, lavender plants grow will across most of the northern hemisphere:  The United Kingdom, Europe and North America.

*If you are growing lavender yourself, you need to consider your growing zone.  If you choose the right type for your zone, then it should thrive all year round. This will, of course, depend on how well you look after your plants. You can still plant other varieties of lavender; however you may need to replace them yearly or every few years.

*What is a growing zone?  If you aren’t sure we mean by the words ‘ growing zone’, it is easy to look up.  There are 13 numbers referring to different areas. Knowing these will help you to determine which plants are most likely to thrive at a location.  To sum up a lavender USDA zone is usually numbered between 4 and 10 – this is what you should look for.

• For the USA, click here
• For Europe and the United Kingdom, click here