It really depends on what you plan to do with the lavender. English lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) is considered the “true lavender” and has a very sweet and light scent. It is also grown primarily for use in essential oils and potpourri, and it can be used to make medicinal ointments.
French lavender (Lavandula stoechas) has a stronger, spicier scent and is typically used in sachets, soaps, and cosmetics. In terms of beauty and fragrance, French lavender is usually preferred over English lavender, but it can also be used in potpourri, candles, and bath products.
In terms of medicinal use, English lavender is generally regarded as the better choice, although both varieties can be used for relaxation and as aromatherapy. Ultimately, the decision on which type of lavender is better for any particular use comes down to personal preference.
Which is the most fragrant lavender?
The most fragrant lavender is widely considered to be Lavandula angustifolia, or English lavender. English lavender has a sweet, herbaceous, and earthy floral aroma, making it one of the most sought-after varieties for its unparalleled scent.
Other varieties with strong, sweet fragrances are Lavandula x intermedia (which has a camphorous scent) and Lavandula stoechas (which has a woody, citrusy aroma). These three varieties are among some of the strongest-smelling lavenders and are used frequently in essential oils, perfumes and other household products to give a fresh, calming fragrance to the area.
What is French lavender used for?
French Lavender is a type of lavender that is used in a variety of ways. It has a sweet, floral scent and is often used as an ingredient in various recipes such as jams and jellies, or as a culinary herb.
It can be used in candles, lotions, and soaps, or as an essential in aromatherapy. French Lavender is especially prized for its essential oils, which are extracted from the plant and used in the production of perfumes, colognes, room fresheners and other beauty products.
Additionally, dried French Lavender flowers can be used as eye pillows and tea bags, while lavender essential oil is widely used in massage oils and lotions. French Lavender can also be used in potpourri and dried floral arrangements, as well as soaps and candles.
Should I deadhead French lavender?
Yes, deadheading French lavender is generally recommended in order to ensure that your plants remain healthy and blooming. Deadheading involves snipping off the dead or faded flowers from the plant. This will help the plant to focus its energy on the growth and bloom of new flowers.
Additionally, removing the faded blooms will help to prevent the plant from going to seed, which will help to promote additional blooming of flowers. To do this, snip off just above the new growth, or carefully pluck off the dead flowers with your fingers.
This should be done on a regular basis to keep your plants looking great.
Does French Lavender smell different?
Yes, French lavender does have a slightly different scent than other varieties of lavender. Its scent can be described as slightly earthier and more herbal than other types of lavender. Because of this more intense fragrance, it is often used as an essential oil in aromatherapy formulas.
The difference in scent doesn’t make it any less fragrant or pleasing, however – French lavender is among the most preferred of all lavender varieties, and is used in herbal remedies for its scent as well as for its medicinal qualities.
As a result, French lavender can be found in numerous beauty, perfumery, home fragrance, and aromatherapy products.
What does French Lavender essential oil smell like?
French Lavender essential oil has a rich, sweet and floral fragrance. It has a strong herbaceous scent with a light touch of camphor and eucalyptus notes. It also carries a slight woody undertone. The scent is relaxing and calming, but also sweet and comforting.
It is a popular choice for use in aromatherapy and massage. It has been known to help reduce stress and anxiety and promote relaxation. In addition to its calming, therapeutic qualities, French Lavender essential oil can also be used in beauty treatments and DIY cosmetics.
Its sweet, floral scent makes it a popular choice for adding fragrances to lotions, creams, and other skin care products.
Which type of lavender is the most fragrant?
The most fragrant type of lavender is French Lavender (Lavandula dentata). It is known for its strong, sweet, and slightly fruity aroma which is caused by its high levels of camphor and limonene – both of which are volatile oils that have a powerful scent.
French Lavender is also noted for being one of the most attractive varieties of lavender, featuring both creamy-white and deep purple blooms. It is ideal for cut flowers, fragrant sachets, dried floral arrangements, and potpourris and looks stunning in a garden setting.
French Lavender is widely available and typically prefers cooler climates with well-drained soil and plenty of sunshine. Depending on your location, it may require more winter protection than other varieties.
How can I make my lavender smell stronger?
One way to make your lavender smell stronger is to use a diffuser. A diffuser allows you to disperse essential oils in the air which can help make the lavender scent stronger. You can also make your own reed diffuser using essential oils and rattan reeds.
Heat is also a great way to make lavender smell stronger. Consider using a candle or incense with a lavender scent to create a stronger aroma. You can also make your own lavender-scented candles or incense using essential oils.
If you want to use fresh lavender to make the scent stronger, consider placing it in a potpourri or simmering it on the stovetop. This will help to release more of the scent into the air. It’s also possible to make lavender-infused sachets or even dried lavender wreaths to make the scent stronger.
What is the difference between Spanish Lavender and English lavender?
The primary difference between Spanish Lavender and English Lavender is in the species of lavender that they are. Spanish Lavender (Lavandula stoechas) is native to the Mediterranean region, and is characterized by its woody stem and square flower spikes at the top of the stem.
Its flowers are often purplish-pink in color and have a strong, sweet aroma. English Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia), on the other hand, is native to parts of western Europe. It has a more bush-like appearance, with its flowers producing a more subtle, light scent.
English lavender tends to have a more varied range of colors, from blues, purples, and whites.
Both Spanish and English lavender have a long history of being used for culinary, medicinal, and decorative purposes, with some of the earliest references to the use of lavender in perfumes and skin creams dating back to ancient Greece and Egypt.
However, English lavender is generally considered to be the better choice for culinary uses due to its softer scent, while Spanish lavender is the more popular choice for herbal medicine, as its more predominantly sweet scent can be more calming and soothing than English lavender.
Does all lavender smell the same?
No, not all lavender smells the same. In fact, different types of lavender can have very different smells even though they share the same name. For example, lavandula stoechas has a more herbacious, camphor-like aroma, while lavandula angustifolia has a sweet, floral scent.
In addition, some cultivars of lavandula angustifolia, such as Hidcote or Munstead, have an even stronger aroma. Even within the same cultivar of lavender, you may find that the aroma can vary depending on when the flowers were harvested, the climate, and the soil quality.
What type of lavender is French Lavender?
French Lavender, also known as Lavandula stoechas and by its Latin name stoechas, is a variety of lavender with a distinct aroma. It has sweet, woody and peppery notes, making it a very flavorful herb to use in cooking and aromatherapy.
French Lavender is known for its small and fragrant purple flowers, which have a characteristic shape and furry gray bracts on their petals. Its scent is described as a combination of spice and sweetness.
French Lavender is perennial and grows best in full sun in well-draining soil. It can be propagated from seed, from softwood or hardwood cuttings, or from root divisions. As the plant matures, it produces small, dark green, scalloped leaves around the flowering stems.
French Lavender is drought and heat tolerant and can even tolerate short spells of cold temperatures. Because of its strong aroma, it makes a great addition to your garden. It can also be used to make perfumes or potpourri, and its essential oils are used in aromatherapy and natural medicine.
Is French Lavender different from regular lavender?
Yes, French lavender is different from regular lavender. French lavender (Lavandula stoechas) is a flowering plant that is part of the mint family. It is native to the Mediterranean region, but it is also grown throughout the world as an ornamental or a medicinal herb.
French lavender is also often referred to as “Spanish lavender” or “Butterfly lavender. ”.
It differs from regular lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) in a few ways. French lavender is taller and can grow upwards of two feet in the wild, whereas regular lavender typically only grows a few inches tall.
French lavender has a bright purple color and can have a spicy smell. Its fragrant leaves are larger and narrower than the leaves of regular lavender. Its flower bud also is more cone-shaped with two flower bracts, two to three inches long, resembling a butterfly.
Regular lavender has only one small bract, and its flower buds are more rounded in shape. The oil of French Lavender is used to make soaps, detergents, and perfumes, whereas regular lavender is used more in aromatherapy and cooking.
How do I identify French Lavender?
To identify French Lavender, look for a slender, somewhat woody lavender bush that produces single, spike-shaped flowers. French Lavender is usually a pale lilac-blue color with a silvery tinge, each flower having a single head only.
The bushy plant itself can reach up to a height of 24-36 inches and has fuzzy, linear leaves that are gray-green in color. The leaves have a silvery tinge as well and release a light, mild scent when touched.
Unlike other lavender varieties, French Lavender flowers are much longer, usually around 3 inches, and have a distinct puple-blue color with a small black mark in the center. Additionally, French Lavender plants prefer dry, well-draining soil and full sun.
If you are looking for French Lavender, make sure you check the labels and ask knowledgeable gardeners to ensure you have the correct plant.
How can you tell if a plant is lavender?
You can tell if a plant is lavender by looking at its physical characteristics. Lavender plants have narrow, gray-green leaves and woody stems. The flowers of a lavender plant are typically purple or lavender in color, and you’ll be able to smell the distinctive scent of lavender as soon as you get close to it.
The flowers will have a pale color near the center and a darker shadow near the petal tips. The back of the petals will also be a darker color than the front, and the petals themselves will be much longer than they are wide.
You can also identify a Lavender plant from its flower spikes, which usually contain around 10-15 small flowers.
Does French lavender come back every year?
Yes, French lavender is a perennial herbaceous plant, meaning it comes back every year as long as it is properly maintained. Its regrowth is dependent on temperatures staying above freezing and the soil not becoming soggy or bone dry.
French lavender prefers full sun and well-draining soil, and regular watering and fertilizing can help ensure that it thrives each year. As a bonus, lavender’s gray foliage is attractive year-round and its fragrant flowers only add to its appeal.
The flowers also attract pollinators, such as bees and butterflies. Pruning French lavender in late winter or early spring helps keep the plants shapely, and an occasional grooming will help the plant stay healthy and vibrant.