There are approximately 39 known varieties of lavender. An aromatic evergreen shrub, this fragrant herb is native to the Mediterranean region and has been used in fragrance, cosmetics, medicines, cooking and as an ornamental plant for centuries.
The most common species is Lavandula angustifolia and is known as ‘English Lavender’, which includes several varieties such as ‘Royal Velvet’, ‘Alba’ and ‘Hidcote’. Other species of lavender include ‘French Lavender’, or Lavandula stoechas, found in the western Mediterranean, as well as Lavandula latifolia or ‘Spike Lavender’, Lavandula dentata or ‘French Dentata’, ‘Grosso’ (commonly known as ‘Provence Lavender’) and ‘Lavandin’.
Each variety has its own unique scent, medicinal benefits, and uses. While there are many more than 39 varieties, the exact number continues to be debated today.
Which is the variety of lavender?
Some of the most popular types include English lavender (Lavandula angustifolia), French lavender (Lavandula dentata), Spanish lavender (Lavandula stoechas), and Italian lavender (Lavandula multifida).
English lavender is the most common type of lavender and is the most widely cultivated of the species due to its fragrant flowers and pleasant aroma. French lavender has more pointed green leaves and slim flower spikes with a sweeter aroma than English lavender.
Spanish lavender has very fragrant pale-purple flowers that can be dried for potpourri and makes a great addition to floral arrangements. Italian lavender has a more pronounced lemon scent with fine grey-green foliage and deep purple flowers.
Other varieties of lavender include ‘Hidcote’ and ‘Munstead’, two popular lavenders known for their fragrant scent, as well as ‘Phenomenal’, ‘Grosso’, and ‘Gros Bleu’ lavenders, all popular varieties due to their larger flower heads and more intense colors.
Which variety of lavender is most fragrant?
The most aptly named variety of lavender that is renowned for its strong and sweet fragrance is ‘Vera’ (Lavandula angustifolia). It is widely regarded as the Lavender of choice for creating handmade cosmetics, perfume and pot pourri.
The color of its blooms are strikingly deep violet-blue, prefect for flower beds. The Vera lavender is an upright and bushy shrub reaching around 1 meter tall, with narrow silvery-green leaves and flower spikes reaching up to 20 cm in length.
This variety is especially renowned for its wonderfully fragrant oil that is an invaluable ingredient in the production of soaps, perfumes and other cosmetics. It bears the distinction of having the richest in its class of essential oils with a sweet, fresh and herbal aroma.
Vera lavender is certainly among the most fragrant of all lavender varieties.
Which is better English or French Lavender?
When it comes to deciding which is better, English or French Lavender, it is ultimately subjective and comes down to personal preference as both English and French Lavender have different nuances that can make them appealing to different types of people.
English Lavender is highly aromatic and has a very distinct scent, which can be incredibly inviting if you like a powerful, sweet scent. Its flowers are also very vibrant and can produce up to 600lbs per acre if properly cared for.
French Lavender is sometimes referred to as Spanish Lavender and has a much softer and lighter scent than English Lavender. It is usually used to make essential oil as its flowers contain more oil and can produce up to 8 times as much compared to English Lavender.
The flowers of French Lavender are also slightly different in colour and are muted pink in hue.
In the end, choosing between English and French Lavender largely depends on your individual preference and the purpose for which you intend to use it. If you prefer a stronger and sweeter scent, then English Lavender might be a better option whereas if you’re looking for something more subtle and calming, then French Lavender could be the better choice.
Which lavender blooms the longest?
The lavender that blooms the longest is the English lavender (Lavandula angustifolia). This cultivar is considered to be one of the best for culinary and medicinal use, but it’s also praised for its reliably long flower season.
English lavender works well in virtually all parts of the United States and can often bloom steadily from spring through fall. Depending on the growing conditions, certain English lavender varieties may stay in bloom even longer.
Varieties like ‘Hidcote’ or ‘Munstead’ are charactersized by deep blue or violet flowers that appear in Clusters throughout the summer and are extremely aromatic.
Which smells stronger French or English lavender?
This can be a tricky question as both French and English lavender have strong aromas, so it can be difficult to determine which one smells stronger. The reason for this is that the scent of both varieties of lavenders depends heavily on the variety and growing conditions.
For example, French lavender can have a more herbal scent, while English lavender tends to have more of a sweet, fruity smell. Additionally, French lavender tends to be more pungent than English lavender, which can make it seem stronger.
However, this is not always the case as the scent profile for both types of lavender vary widely depending on the variety and how it is grown. In general, it is difficult to definitively declare which type of lavender smells stronger as it can vary widely.
How can I make my lavender smell stronger?
First, purchase high-quality lavender essential oils. The higher the quality, the more fragrant your lavender will be. Additionally, adding a few drops of lavender essential oil to a diffuser can help make the scent more potent.
You can also make your own custom lavender scent by adding other essential oils such as rose, lemon, and jasmine to enhance the aroma. You can also try making a lavender sachet with dried lavender buds by filling a small cloth pouch or sachet with these dried buds and adding a few drops of the essential oil.
This works great as a natural air freshener or to keep in drawers and wardrobes. Finally, if you’re growing lavender in your garden or in pots in your home, make sure you give the plants plenty of direct sunlight and water them regularly.
With the right care, your lavender should be vibrant and fragrant.
Does all lavender smell the same?
No, all lavender does not smell the same. Lavender is a plant that comes in many varieties, some of which may have slightly different scents. Each has its own unique aroma and fragrance profile that is determined by the type of lavender, its growing conditions, and the specific parts of the plant used.
For example, English lavender has a sweet, balsamic-like aroma, while French lavender has a sharp, camphor-like scent. There are also variations due to growing conditions— some lavenders can have strong citrus or floral notes if grown in fertile soil.
Additionally, non-lavender plants or essential oils labeled as lavender may contain additional aroma molecules, giving them a slightly different odor. Ultimately, while all lavenders may have some common aromas associated with the plant family, the scent of each can vary greatly.
What can you not plant with lavender?
You should avoid planting trees and shrubs with lavender as they tend to be too large and overshadow or crowd out the lavender. Additionally, because lavender prefers to grow in dry conditions, you should avoid planting it in areas that tend to be wet such as in clay soil or near water sources.
Other plants that require a lot of water, such as tomatoes, will also not thrive when planted near lavender. Lastly, other herbs and plants with a fragrant smell can overpower the smell of lavender, so it’s best to avoid those types of plants when planning your planting around lavender.
Should lavender be deadheaded?
Yes, lavender should be deadheaded, as it encourages new growth and will keep your plant healthy. Deadheading lavender involves removing the wilted flower heads that have lost their color and are beginning to turn brown.
It is especially important to deadhead lavender varieties that don’t produce a lot of flowers, such as English lavender. Removing the old flowers will help the plant to focus on new growth and additional blooms.
Deadheading should be done when flowers start to fade and can continue until late summer or fall. When deadheading, it is important to make sure to get as much of the stem off as possible in order to make room for new growth.
What type of lavender comes back every year?
English lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) is the most popular type of lavender that comes back every year. It is an evergreen variety that can survive cold winters in climates where the temperature does not dip below -10°F (-23°C).
English lavender blooms in the summer, but some varieties bloom earlier or later than others. The blooms last from late spring to early autumn, and the plants are low maintenance and don’t require much pruning.
They are also quite deer resistant. Some of the most common English lavender varieties are ‘Hidcote Giant’ and ‘Munstead’, both of which can reach up to 2 feet (60 cm) in height and produce fragrant, deep-purple flowers.
English lavender makes an ideal flower for English cottage gardens, borders, rock gardens, and pathways.
What is common lavender called?
Common lavender, also known as English lavender, is a species of lavender native to the western Mediterranean region. It is a widely grown ornamental plant and its attractive flowers, often in shades of purple, have a distinctive aroma.
Common lavender has wide-ranging uses, but is mostly cultivated for its essential oils, which are used for flavouring food, for making fragrances and for aromatherapy. The plant is also used medicinally, to treat minor ailments such as colds and insomnia.
Common lavender is a hardy plant, tolerant of drought and poor soils, and is relatively easy to cultivate and maintain. Its grey-green, needle-like leaves give off a sharp, camphor-like scent when crushed.
The flowers of common lavender are usually deep purple coloured, with a distinctive heady fragrance.
Is French or English lavender better?
This is really a matter of personal preference, as both French and English lavender have their own unique characteristics. French lavender (Lavandula stoechas) is generally considered to be more fragrant than English lavender (Lavandula angustifolia), with its intense and sweet perfume.
It’s also considered to be more hardy, although in some climates it can be difficult to keep the plant blooming. English lavender is generally considered to be easier to care for, with larger blooms and longer stems that can be used in flower arranging.
Its aroma is more subtle but still delightful.
When choosing between French and English lavender, consider what you are looking for in your home or garden. If you are looking for intense fragrance, then French lavender may be your better choice. On the other hand, if you want something with easier care and a longer-lasting bloom, then English lavender may be a better fit.
The best way to really decide is to try both varieties and see which you prefer. All lavender is beautiful and aromatic, and it really is just a matter of personal preference.
What’s the difference between English lavender and French lavender?
English lavender and French lavender are both species of the Lavandula genus, classified within the Lamiaceae family. While both have similar physical characteristics – gray-green leaves, purplish-blue flowers, and a sweet, floral scent – they differ in their uses, preferred growing conditions, and country of origin.
English lavender (Lavandula angustifolia), also known as common lavender, is native to the Mediterranean and prefers cool climates with well-drained soils. It doesn’t always stand up to hot weather, with flower wilting being common in such conditions.
While English lavender has a wide range of uses, it is mostly known for its calming scent and essential oil, which is commonly used in:
• Home fragrance products
• Soaps and skin care products
• Aromatherapy treatments
• Culinary dishes
French lavender (Lavandula stoechas) grows in warmer climates, such as those found in central and southern France. It is more tolerant to high temperatures and drought, making it a better choice for warmer climates than English lavender.
It also has fewer culinary uses and a stronger scent, making it a more suitable choice for home fragrance products and aromatherapy.
How can I tell what kind of lavender I have?
To determine the type of lavender you have, you’ll need to look at the shrub or plant’s physical characteristics. If the shrub/plant is still alive, look at the size, shape, color of the flowers, and size of the plant itself.
For example, Common Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) usually produces long spires of small, dark purplish-blue flowers, while Spike Lavender (Lavandula latifolia) has slightly larger flowers in whorls of five to eight blooms.
The foliage of common lavender is usually grayish-green, while that of Spanish lavender (Lavandula stoechas) is a silvery gray-green color. The Spanish lavender is also more compact and rounded than common lavender.
If the plant is no longer alive, you will still be able to identify what type of lavender you have from the shape and color of flower heads, the foliage and form of the plant, and the presence of bracts on the stems.
If you’d like more information about the specific types of lavenders, you can search for their Latin names online to learn more about their unique characteristics.