Looking for a great and versatile plant to grow in your garden? Lavender plants are one of the most incredible choices you can find. They are available in an array of varieties and colours. While the classic soft purple is a favourite, there are also deep blue, crisp white, and even pink shades to choose from.
The different types of lavender plants also means it can be tricky to know the best for your garden as there are significant factors that determine how each plant thrives, including your climate and growing space. If you are interested, we explore the best types for each zone in this guide.
8 Widely Recognised Lavender Types
Did you know there are roughly 47 species of lavender, with a whopping 450 varieties? But we've boiled it down to eight standout types: ranging from English, Spanish, French, Italian, Woolly, Yellow, and Portuguese to Lavandin.
Each of these plants comes with its specific, amazing qualities, including pulchritude, smells, needs, and habits. Check below for a detailed explication of the best varieties and cultivars for your garden.
1. English Lavender
Often dubbed "true lavender," English lavender is scientifically known as Lavandula angustifolia. It's a unique plant native to the Mediterranean. The beauty of English lavender can be attributed to its blue-purple, white-pink, or violet-blue flowers, depending on the cultivar you choose for your garden.
One of the crucial factors to check before opting for English lavender is the climate. You must ensure that your climate is cool and temperate. It's pretty tough, thriving in warm to mild winters and summers. It can also survive an extended period without being watered regularly. With the proper care, you should expect it to bloom many times from mid-spring to early summer.
Thinking of spicing up your dishes or teas? Good news: English lavender is edible! Plant it in sandy and well-drained soil and a location where it will have access to the full sun. When it grows, it offers flowers with a profuse scent. English lavender also comes in different varieties. These include Hidcote (dark purple flowers), Lavenite Petite (light purple flowers), and Betty’s Blue (violet-blue flowers).
Lavender thrives best when it’s not overwatered. Watering deeply but less frequently will encourage the roots to grow deeper, making the plant more drought-tolerant. Read our detailed lavender cultivation guide to learn more.
2. Spanish Lavender
Spanish lavender is another main type of lavender known scientifically as Lavandula stoechas. It is also referred to as “Butterfly Lavender." As English lavender is native to the Mediterranean, so is Spanish lavender. However, it's also got ties to North Africa. The plant has silver, fragrant leaves that are useful for producing great potpourri and essential oils. It also has deep purple flowers that are an absolute treat for the eyes.
Spanish lavender doesn't mind a bit of humidity and is at its best from mid-spring to late summer. For optimal growth, plant it in mild conditions, well-draining soil, and ensure it basks in sunlight. When planted in the appropriate season, it brings forth beautiful flowers with exceedingly unique pinecone-shaped heads that have tiny sprouted "ears." They're sure to get your guests talking.
Spanish lavender comes in different varieties. The most popular ones include Anouk (deep purple flowers), Kew Red (pink-purple flowers), and Ballerina (white flowers).
Avoid planting lavender in areas that are prone to waterlogging or where water tends to collect, as this can rot the plant's roots.
3. French Lavender
The French lavender is scientifically known as Lavandula dentata. It is usually identified by its light lavender blue colour and the shape of its flowers (this explains why it is also referred to as "fringed lavender"). Compared to other lavenders, French lavender is not as aromatic. Nonetheless, it has very colourful flower heads that make your garden great.
If you want to have the best from the French lavender, you need to plant it in sandy, well-drained soil. We recommend watering it sparingly and exposing it to full sun for optimal growth. Besides, you need to consider the climate conditions. Extreme temperatures are not suitable for French lavender. However, you can plant them in warm winters and mild summers.
The French lavender varieties include Provence (lavender-blue flowers), Fred Boutin (pale lavender flowers), and Grosso (mid-purple flowers).
If you love unique Australian flowers, learn the ins and outs of how to grow and care for Waxflowers, an Australian native shrub known for its small, waxy flowers and aromatic foliage that is often used in floral arrangements.
4. Italian Lavender
Italian lavender is scientifically known as Lavandula stoechas avonview. From its scientific name, it's evident that Italian lavender is a branch of Spanish lavender. This plant has incredibly gorgeous large flowers with heads that offer deep fragrance when grown in spring.
This shrub thrives in well-drained soil but needs to be positioned where there is enough sunlight. And if you're near the beach, no worries—it is a champ at handling coastal vibes.
Italian lavender is planted to serve numerous purposes. You can plant it as hedges, rockeries, cottage gardens, and shrub borders. Some top variety picks are Wine, with its mauve-violet hues, and Leucantha, which sports pristine white blooms.
If you're considering the Italian Lavender as a hedge, here are equally excellent fast-growing hedge plants to consider in Australia. They include options from the iconic Murraya Hegde to the attractive Photinia Robusta plant.
5. Portuguese Lavender
The scientific name of Portuguese lavender is Lavender latifolia, but it is popularly referred to as Spike lavender. Its flowers are more elegant and simpler compared to other listed types. On long stems, the plant produces pale lilac flowers. Now, if you thought English lavender packed a punch with its fragrance, this one's a notch stronger.
Portuguese lavender also adds impressive beauty to your garden by offering sweetly fragrant leaves that invite bees and butterflies. If you want this type of lavender to grow as expected, you should plant it in sandy and well-drained soil and ensure it has access to the full sun. Late spring to summer is when it's in prime bloom mode.
Keep an eye out for its varieties, like the Portuguese giant, with its grand flowers, and Broadleaf, with its distinct furry leaves.
6. Lavandin
Lavandin is a common name for the variety of lavender known as Lavandula x intermedia. It can also be referred to as Lavandula hybrida, showing that this specific type is a hybrid lavender type of both English lavender (cold tolerance) and Portuguese lavender (heat tolerance).
Most times, the aromatic flowers are what make lavender eye-catching. A treat to your eye, Lavandin’s flowers come in different beautiful colours, ranging from white to dark purple. When cultivated from mid to late summer, Lavandula x intermedia blossoms splendidly.
How and where you plant Lavandin matters. To have the best blossom result, you need to plant this shrub in dry conditions and in a location with sufficient sunlight. You can plant this lavender type in hedges, rock gardens, and herb gardens.
For popular varieties, check out the Hidcote Giant's light violet blooms or the deep-toned Impress Purple.
When pruning your lavender, always leave some green on the plant. Cutting into the woody part can hinder its growth. Likewise, Lavenders love the sun! Ensure they receive at least 6-8 hours of sunlight daily. Planting them in a north-facing position can provide optimal sun exposure.
7. Woolly Lavender
Woolly Lavender (Lavandula lanata), also known as Woolly French Lavender or Grey Hedge Lavender, is a distinctive lavender variety with a unique appearance and aromatic properties. It has silver-gray, fuzzy or woolly leaves that create a soft and tactile texture, making it an appealing ornamental plant in gardens and landscapes.
The plant also produces spikes of delicate, lavender-pink flowers that stand out against the silvery foliage and emit a pleasant, sweet fragrance, attracting pollinators while offering a soothing presence.
Woolly Lavender is commonly used for its ornamental value, providing visual interest in gardens, borders, and rockeries but can also be incorporated into dried flower arrangements, sachets, and potpourris due to its aromatic foliage, adding both aesthetic and practical benefits to your outdoor and indoor spaces.
8. Yellow Lavender
Yellow Lavender, scientifically known as Lavandula viridis, is a unique lavender species that stands out for its vibrant yellow flowers, setting it apart from the more commonly seen purple and blue lavender varieties. It is characterised by an aromatic foliage and cheerful blossoms that add a pop of bright colour to gardens and landscapes, attracting attention from both humans and pollinators alike.
Yellow Lavender can be an intriguing addition to your flower beds, borders, and mixed plantings. They offer a fresh and unexpected element to outdoor spaces; its visual impact and aromatic qualities make it suitable for decorative purposes and potential use in crafts or floral arrangements.
The availability of these lavender varieties may vary depending on your location and local nurseries. Additionally, new cultivars and hybrids are developed over time, so there may be other unique lavender types that have been introduced that we may not have captured here.
Other Lesser Known Lavender Types
In addition to the common lavender types we've explored above, there are a few more lesser-known or specialty lavender varieties that you might find interesting. They include:
- Egyptian Lavender (Lavandula multifida): This type of lavender has finely dissected or fern-like foliage and unique, deeply lobed flowers. It is native to North Africa and has a distinctive appearance.
- Sweet Lavender (Lavandula heterophylla): Sweet lavender has a slightly different fragrance and appearance compared to other lavender varieties. It is native to Madeira and the Canary Islands and is sometimes used in perfumery.
- Fringed Lavender (Lavandula dentata 'Royal Crown'): This cultivar of Spanish lavender has fringed or serrated flower petals that add a touch of elegance to the blooms.
- Lavandula minutolii: Also known as the Tenerife Lavender, the species is native to the Canary Islands and features slender flower spikes and gray-green foliage.
- Spike Lavender (Lavandula latifolia subsp. latifolia): In addition to the previously mentioned spike lavender, there are subspecies and varieties within this type that have slightly different characteristics.
- Lavandula lanata var. pinnata: This is a variety of woolly lavender. It has deeply dissected or pinnate leaves.
- Winged Lavender (Lavandula flabellifolia): This lavender variety has unique winged bracts on its flower spikes that add an interesting visual element to the plant.
- Lavandula buchii: Native to the Balearic Islands, Lavandula buchii comes with narrow leaves and dense flower spikes for additional appeal.
- Lavandula maroccana: Also known as Moroccan lavender, this species has a distinct fragrance and is sometimes used in perfumery.
- Lavandula tomentosa: Native to the Mediterranean region, this lavender has densely hairy or tomentose foliage and pink to lavender flowers.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are some frequently asked questions on Lavendar types and cultivars.
What are the varieties of lavender flowers?
Lavender flowers come in various shades, from classic pale purple to deep blue, pure white, and even pink. Some well-known varieties include English, Spanish, French, Italian, Portuguese, and Lavandin. Each has its unique colour and characteristics, suitable for different garden styles and conditions.
What is the most popular type of lavender?
In Australia, the English lavender, or Lavandula angustifolia, is one of the most popular types. It's often called "true lavender" and is renowned for its vibrant blue-purple flowers and versatile uses, from garden beds to essential oils.
What is the difference between types of lavender?
The main differences lie in their origins, flower shapes, colours, and growth conditions. For instance, English lavender is native to the Mediterranean and thrives in cooler climates, while the Portuguese variety, with its strong scent, loves a bit of heat. Each type has its unique needs, making it essential to choose the right one for your garden's specific conditions.
Mark
Summary
Picking the right shrubs can truly transform your garden. Lavender, with its timeless charm, could be the perfect fit. Not only does it bring a splash of colour, but its fragrance is also simply divine.
You've got a bouquet of options. From the English and Spanish varieties to the alluring French, Italian, Portuguese, and Lavandin, each offers its own unique beauty and ideal use case. So, whether you're looking to edge your fence, cover your grounds, or spruce up your rock gardens, there's a lavender type waiting to enrich your outdoor space.
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