The answer to which smells stronger – English or French lavender – depends on the type of lavender. Both English and French lavender have a sweet, herbaceous, and slightly woodsy aroma, but the strength of the fragrance depends on the variety of lavender used.
Short of conducting an experiment with different varieties, it is hard to determine which has a stronger scent.
English lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) has a more powerful aroma than other varieties and is more commonly used in perfumery. Varieties of Lavandula angustifolia include Hidcote, Munstead, Elbridge Gray, and Royal Dwarf.
These varieties have a sweet and herbaceous scent that is slightly balsamic.
Meanwhile, French lavender (Lavandula stoechas) has a sweeter aroma than English lavender. It typically has a faint, honey-like aroma with a hint of lemon, though this also varies depending on the variety used.
Some popular varieties of Lavandula stoechas are Cherry Brandy and Primerio.
Ultimately, it is impossible to definitively answer which smells stronger – English or French lavender – without conducting a comparative test with several different varieties.
How do you make lavender smell stronger?
Making lavender smell stronger requires you to use its essential oil. You can obtain it from its plants by using a steam distillation process. Alternatively, you can buy lavender essential oil from any health store or drug store.
To enjoy the aroma of lavender and make it stronger, add a few drops of essential oil to a diffuser, to a potpourri, or to sachets of dried lavender. You can also add lavender essential oil to bath water for a calming and soothing effect.
Additionally, if you want to directly enjoy the smell of lavender in a room, add several drops of lavender essential oil to a bowl of warm water. Place the bowl in the desired location and leave it overnight – the smell of lavender will linger in the air the next day.
Do different types of lavender smell different?
Yes, different types of lavender do have different scents. Lavender is an incredibly diverse plant, and there are over 40 varieties. Some varieties have a fruitier, citrusy scent, while others may have a grassy, herbal scent.
It all depends on the type of lavender being used. The most common type of lavender is English lavender and it has a sweet and floral aroma. French lavender, on the other hand, has a more herbal, minty scent.
As a result, all types of lavender have distinct and unique aromas, making them a popular choice for perfumes, and essential oils.
Which type of lavender is best?
The best type of lavender depends on your specific needs and preferences. If you are looking for a lavender to enjoy the pleasant aroma, then English lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) is generally considered the best, with its sweet floral and slightly fruity aroma.
If you are looking for a lavender to use for culinary purposes, then French lavender (Lavandula intermedia) is often recommended as the best choice, due to its more subtle flavor. Furthermore, if you are looking for a lavender to fill a sunny spot in your garden, Spanish lavender (Lavandula stoechas) is an ideal choice for its tall, showy flower spikes and bright colors.
Ultimately, the best type of lavender for you depends on your specific needs and preferences.
What is the darkest purple lavender?
The darkest purple lavender is the variation known as Royal Purple Lavender. It has a bluish-gray tone and bears much darker foliage than regular lavender. The flowers are a deep, royal purple and are highly fragrant.
The Royal Purple Lavender is drought tolerant and easy to grow. It thrives in sunny locations and prefers even temperatures between -10 and 27 degrees Celsius. The Royal Purple was developed from crosses between Lavandula angustifolia and Lavandula latifolia.
It is a slower-growing than other lavenders and can reach a height of about 60 cm, although some may grow slightly taller. The Royal Purple Lavender makes a great addition to container gardens, rock gardens, and borders and can be used in cut flower arrangements, sachets, and dried flower displays.
Why does my lavender plant not smell?
There can be several reasons why your lavender plant may not smell, including a lack of airflow, too much moisture, a lack of sunlight, or a lack of fertilization.
Airflow: Lavender plants require a steady level of airflow, as this helps in releasing the delicate scent of lavender. If the air is stagnant in the area housing the lavender plant, it may not be able to emit its scent.
Ensure that the plant is in an area with adequate airflow, such as near a window or fan.
Moisture: Lavender plants are prone to root rot if they are in soil that holds too much moisture. To ensure your lavender plant has the correct moisture level, allow the top inch of soil to dry between watering, making sure not to overwater.
Sunlight: Lavender plants thrive in sunny, warm environments. If your lavender plant is planted in an area with too little sunlight, it may not produce the desired scent. Ensure that your plant is receiving 6-8 hours of sunlight a day.
Fertilization: Fertilizing your lavender plant is a great way to ensure it stays healthy and fragrant. Use a fertilizer with a balanced amount of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium every few weeks to promote the growth of your plant.
No matter the cause, the lack of smell in your lavender plant should be addressed. With the right environment, your lavender plant may soon be producing an enticing aroma.
Is English lavender better than French lavender?
The answer to this question really depends on what you are specifically looking for in a lavender plant. English lavender is of the species Lavandula augustifolia and is native to Mediterranean countries.
It is a hardier, more aromatic type of lavender, with grayish-green, linear leaves and small, purplish-blue flowers. It is also more drought tolerant than other types of lavender and it is generally easier to cultivate.
French lavender is of the species Lavandula stoechas, and is native to the western Mediterranean. It has dark green, leathery, lance-shaped leaves, and purple flowers that are topped with showy tails.
French lavender has a less pleasant scent, but is more deer resistant than English lavender.
If you want a hardy, aromatic lavender that is easy to cultivate, then English lavender would be the better choice for you. If you’re looking for a lavender that is more deer resistant, then French lavender may be a better fit for you.
Ultimately, it is up to you to decide which type of lavender would better suit your needs.
Whats the difference between English and French lavender?
The major difference between English and French lavender is their botanical classification. English lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) is a member of the mint family (Lamiaceae). French lavender (Lavandula stoechas) belongs to the lilac family (Verbenaceae).
English lavender tends to be shorter and less branched with narrower greyish-green foliage and smaller (6-10mm) fragrant purple-blue flowers that tend to all be on one side. French lavender on the other hand is taller (up to 1m) and more upright with greener foliage that is more sparsely distributed and broader (up to 15mm) fragrant purplish-pink flowers with a furry looking bract coming off the central eye.
English lavender is the more commonly used of the two as it has a higher oil content and is preferred over French lavender as a medicinal and culinary herb. French lavender may have a wider range of uses as an ornamental, but is generally suited to dry climates.
What does French lavender smell like?
The distinctive scent of French lavender is one that is difficult to replicate. It is often described as being a combination of sweet, floral, and herbal notes. To the nose, French lavender has a sweet, camphorous, and slightly bittersweet scent that has a touch of earthiness to it.
Different varieties of French lavender will have slightly different scents, with some being more citrusy or fruity. Most varieties have a slight woody, honeyed, and misty undertone. In general, it is a calming and soothing scent, with a hint of romance and elegance.
Which lavender is for essential oil?
The most commonly used lavender for essential oil extraction is Lavandula angustifolia, also known as Lavandula officinalis or English lavender. It has a sweet, herbaceous aroma and is said to have calming and soothing properties.
Other lavender varieties commonly used for essential oils include: Spanish lavender (Lavandula stoechas), Lavandin (Lavandula x intermedia), Spike lavender (Lavandula spica), Frankenlavender (Lavandula burnati), and Lavender Maillette (Lavandula Maillette).
Each of these varieties has its own unique aroma and characteristics. However, Lavandula angustifolia is the most popular choice for essential oil extraction due to its high yield and natural therapeutic properties.
How do I know what type of lavender I have?
Determining what type of lavender you have can be done by observing the physical characteristics of the plant. Take a look at the size, shape, and color of the lavender’s leaves and blooms. Different varieties of lavender produce different sizes, shapes, and colors of flowers.
Common lavender varieties, such as Lavandula angustifolia, have narrow, silvery-green leaves and clusters of small, light purple blooms. Other lavender varieties, such as Lavandula stoechas, are characterized by silvery-green leaves and clusters of larger, dark purple blooms.
You should also take into consideration the climate requirements for the type of lavender you have. Different lavender varieties need different climate conditions for optimal health. For instance, Lavandula angustifolia, one of the most commonly grown English lavender varieties, prefers cooler temperatures and bloom for a long period of time.
Conversely, Lavandula stoechas, a type of French lavender, thrives in warm and dry climates and produces short blooming times.
Additionally, you can use a flower and plant identification guide to determine what type of lavender you have. Many comprehensive flower and plant identification guides are available online, whereas others are available in printed, book form.
These guides provide pictures of different lavender varieties along with descriptions of their physical characteristics and climate needs. By comparing your lavender with the pictures and descriptions in the guide, you should be able to identify the type of lavender you have.
Which is the strongest smelling lavender?
The strongest smelling lavender is the Lavandula angustifolia variety due to the higher concentrations of essential oils present in the flowers. This variety has a sweet, floral aroma that is very potent.
It is also known as English, True, or Common Lavender. This variety is easy to cultivate, tolerant of cold weather, and grows in many climates around the world. It is used extensively in perfumes and other fragrances, and its powerful scent can often be detected in soaps, shampoos, and potpourris.
Other varieties such as Spike Lavender (Lavandula spica) and French Lavender (Lavandula stoechas) also have strong scent profiles, but they lack the same sweetness and floral aroma of lavandula angustifolia.
Should French lavender be cut back?
Yes, French lavender should be cut back. Pruning French lavender will help it to stay healthy, promote new growth, and even extend its life. When pruning your French lavender, you should remove a few of the oldest stems and trim back the remaining stems by about one third.
This will help to encourage new growth and avoid the possibility of overgrowth. Additionally, pruning your French lavender will help to prevent it from becoming leggy. To prune French lavender, use a pair of clean, sharp scissors and just snip the stems down to their desired length.
When pruning, it is advised to avoid clipping off the top of the plant as this will cause a delay in flowering. Alternatively, French lavender can be cut back in early spring when new growth starts to appear.
This will remove the old, woody stems and allow room for the new foliage and stems to develop. Pruning your French lavender on a regular basis will help keep it healthy and ensure it continues to produce beautiful blooms.
Does French lavender come back every year?
Yes, French lavender (Lavandula stoechas) is a hardy perennial herb that comes back year after year if cared for properly. It is native to the Mediterranean region, and grows best in dry, full sun areas with excellent drainage.
The best time to plant French lavender is in the spring, when the temperature is moderate and there is no risk of frost. The soil should be well-drained and amended with organic matter for optimal performance.
Once established, French lavender does not require much care, but does need to be pruned back after flowering. Mulching in fall can also help preserve the soil moisture and protect the roots from extreme temperatures during the colder months.
With proper care, French lavender can live for years and will return year after year, blooming from mid-spring through summer with fragrant purple flowers.
Does English or French Lavender smell better?
It largely depends on your own personal preference when it comes to deciding which type of lavender smells better. English lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) has a sweet scent and is considered the best type of lavender for its oil-producing capabilities.
French lavender (Lavandula dentata) has a slightly more herbal and camphorous smell, and is often considered as a more potent version of the English lavender.
Those who prefer a less strong scent may prefer the sweet smell of English lavender, whereas people who like a more powerful scent may prefer the more herbal and camphorous aroma of French lavender. Of course, this is entirely subjective, so ultimately the decision between English or French lavender comes down to your own preference in aroma.
Is French Lavender poisonous?
No, French Lavender (Lavendula stoechas) is not poisonous. Though the leaves of French Lavender have an aromatic smell and are often used as a herbal remedy, they are not toxic or poisonous. French Lavender has analgesic, calming, and antiseptic properties, and can often be found in various forms such as essential oil, incense, and in teas.
The beautiful purple flowering plant is one of the many essential oils used in aromatherapy because of its calming and sedative effects. However, it is important to take caution when consuming and always consult a medicinal professional first.
French Lavender is generally safe when used topically or in aromatherapy, but it could lead to mild skin irritation if you are sensitive to the essential oil.