Lavender Types

1.  ENGLISH LAVENDER

Lavandula angustifolia

• Native to the Mediterranean, not England

• Often referred to as Culinary Lavender, and sometimes called True Lavender

• Forty-seven known varieties, and the plants have narrow smooth leaves

• More fragrant, better flavor, and hardy in cold climates when compared to French Lavender

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2.  FRENCH LAVENDER

Lavandula dentata

• Called French Lavender in US/NZ/Australia, called English Lavender in France

• Native to Eastern and Southern Spain, and is sometimes called Fringed Lavender

• Toothed leaves and flowers that bloom continuously mid-spring to fall

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3.  SPANISH LAVENDER

Lavandula stoechas

• Called Spanish Lavender in the US, called French Lavender in the UK

• Native to the Mediterranean and Northern Africa, and is sometimes called Butterfly Lavender

• Deep purple pinecone shaped flowers bloom continuously mid-spring to fall and are not fragrant, but the foliage is very aromatic

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4.  PORTUGUESE LAVENDER

Lavandula latifolia

• Native to the western Mediterranean, heat tolerant, and sometimes called Spike Lavender

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5.  LAVANDIN

Lavandula x intermedia

‘Grosso’

• A natural hybrid lavender discovered in a deserted lavender field in France in 1972

  • A mix of Lavandula angustifolia and Lavandula latifolia

• Sometimes called Fat Lavender

• Hardy and develops highly fragrant 18” flower spikes that are attractive to bees and butterflies