What is the hardiest lavender plant?
Hidcote superior is the most cold hardy lavender surviving temperatures as low as -30 °C (-20 °F). English lavender are the only lavender that can reliably live for several years in temperate climates that see frequent winter frosts and can grow successfully up to USDA zone 5. Why English Lavenders are the Hardiest
Is English lavender cold hardy?
English Lavender has a strong and pure floral lavender scent that makes it the preferred type for lavender essential oil and other scented products like wreaths and lavender wands. English Lavender is also the most cold-hardy type of lavender, with a growing range of Zones 5-9.
What is the best lavender to grow in England?
For those living in drier, colder climes, a true English lavender ( Lavandula angustifolia ), hardy to zones 5-8, is best. Munstead is one of the more popular varieties of English lavender, likely due to its intense fragrance and distinct look.
What is another name for English lavender?
Other names you can find Lavandula angustifolia called by are true lavender or common lavender. Once called Lavandula officinalis (a typical name given to plants used in medicine), there are many varieties of English lavender that have become very common. 1. ‘Hidcote’ English Lavender (Lavandula Angustifolia ‘Hidcote’)
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What is the most common type of English lavender?
1. ‘Hidcote’ English Lavender (Lavandula Angustifolia ‘Hidcote’) ‘Hidcote’ is one of the most popular English lavender types in the world.
What is the most refined lavender scent?
It is arguably the most refined lavender scent you can get, and if you want to grow lavender for the oil (essential oil), Lavandula angustifolia has the highest quality oil.
How big does a rosea lavender plant get?
Hardiness: English lavender ‘Rosea’ is hardy to USDA zones 5 to 9. Size: 2 to 3 feet in height and spread (60 to 90 cm).
How much sun does lavender need?
Sunlight Exposure: Lavender always needs full Sun, which means at least 6 hours of direct and bright sunlight every day.
What type of soil does lavender need?
Make sure the soil has excellent drainage; lavender needs it and it cannot stand waterlogged soil. On the other hand, lavender is resistant to drought, dry soil and rocky soil. The pH can be neutral, acidic or alkaline, between 6.0 and 8.0. Chalk, loam or sandy soil is fine.
How many varieties of lavender are there?
There are 47 species of lavender in all with over 450 varieties, but the main types are English, French (or Spanish), Portuguese and lavandin. They have different qualities and even smells, and even differing visual qualities, habits and needs.
What is lavender shrub?
Bringer of peace, calm and relaxation with its soothing scent, this plant is a garden on its own…. Just look closely and you will see that your lavender shrub is an amazing playground for pollinators, with butterflies and bumblebees on every flower….
How much sun does lavender need?
It’s very straightforward to grow lavender — plant it somewhere with full sun, at least six hours a day. They’ll also tolerate partial shade if needed. Lavender needs good air circulation, but make sure to keep the flower heads out of strong winds.
How tall does Italian lavender grow?
Italian lavender can grow up to half a metre high, although it more commonly reaches about 12cm. It can tolerate coastal conditions, perfect for those who live near the beach. Plant in any well-drained soil and in a sunny position.
How big does fringed lavender grow?
Fringed lavender can grow fairly large — about 0.5–1m in height and width — so make sure you have room!
What is the color of French lavender?
French lavender (lavandula dentata) is a more delicate variety, with a light lavender blue colour. It’s also called fringed lavender due to the shape of its flowers. French lavender isn’t as fragrant as other lavenders, but its flower heads are very colourful.
What is the scent of Portuguese lavender?
Also known as spike lavender, it has pale lilac flowers on long stems. Its scent is stronger but more pungent than English lavender.
Why trim lavender?
Pruning lavender is especially important to maintain its health and appearance, and help it withstand natural elements. It’ll also encourage new growth and flowering. The rule of thumb is to trim back about one-third the length, but if you’re not sure, get a professional gardening service to do it for you!
When does Spanish lavender bloom?
This lavender plant blooms profusely from mid-spring to late summer. Its flower heads have a very distinct pinecone shape, with little ‘ears’ sprouting from each. Spanish lavender tolerates humidity fairly well, but prefers mild summers and winters. Plant in full sun and sandy, well-drained soil.
English Lavender
This type of lavender has a deceiving name since it is not originally from England, as it name suggests, but from the Mediterranean. It is also known as common or true lavender and it is the one you see growing in lavender fields. All types of English lavender can grow in USDA zones 5 to 9.
Types of English Lavender
This dwarf variety grows between 10-12 inches (25-30 centimeters) tall and 1 to 2 feet wide, making it ideal for containers, terraces and patio gardens. It blooms once in late summer with white blooms that have a soothing scent.
Spanish Lavender
Lavender names are confusing since this type of lavender is also called French. Those in the United States call it Spanish lavender and those in the United Kingdom call it French lavender. It is native to the Mediterranean and Northern Africa.
Types of Spanish Lavender
A very showy variety that has upright stems with short spikes of deep violet or purple flowers that have white “ears” on top. Quite an unusual type of lavender that will impress visitors if planted in a container or flower garden. It will bloom several times between mid spring to early fall.
French Lavender
This drought tolerant type of lavender needs very little maintenance. French lavender is also known as fringed lavender. Its scientific name is lavandula dentata which makes a reference to the dented leaves. It grows between 1 to 3 feet in hotter climates, as it should be planted in USDA zones 8 to 11.
Portuguese Lavender
Portuguese Lavender is not native to Portugal but to the Mediterranean. It needs cooler climates, so it is hardy between USDA zones 6 to 8. This type of lavender grows between 1 to 3 feet.
Egyptian Lavender
This type of lavender is native to the western parts of the Mediterranean. It is usually grown as a landscape plant, that reaches a height of 1 to 3 feet. Egyptian lavender needs cooler climates and is hardy between USDA zones 6 to 8.
What is French lavender?
French Lavender ( Lavandula dentata) is a specialty lavender type grown for its ornamental value rather than for scent or culinary purposes. French lavender is known for its petal-topped compact purple flowers, long bloom time, and unique textured leaves (see photo below). French lavender is not as strongly scented as English Lavender or Spanish Lavender, and the fragrance is not as sweet.
What is the most popular lavender?
English Lavender ( Lavandula angustifolia) is the most popular type of lavender. English Lavender has a strong and pure floral lavender scent that makes it the preferred type for lavender essential oil and other scented products like wreaths and lavender wands. English Lavender is also the most cold-hardy type of lavender, with a growing range of Zones 5-9. Lastly, preferred culinary varieties of lavender are typically cultivars of English Lavender.
How tall does Spanish lavender grow?
Spanish Lavender plants tend to grow taller than most other types of lavender, commonly growing to over 3 feet tall. Spanish Lavender can be used in hedges, although the resulting hedge will be taller than a hedge of English Lavender. Flower spikes are compact, have a strong fragrance, and are highly attractive to pollinators like butterflies and bees due to the ornamental bracts atop the spikes. Other common names for Spanish Lavender ( Lavandula stoechas) include Topped Lavender, Butterfly Lavender, and Italian Lavender.
How many types of lavender are there?
There are five main types of lavender: English Lavender, Spanish Lavender, French Lavender, Portuguese Lavender, and Lavandin. There are hundreds of different named varieties (cultivars) in modern cultivation, most of which fall into one of these five main categories.
When does lavender bloom?
English Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) is a short shrub with thin spikes of purple flowers. English Lavender typically blooms in early-mid summer (June or July) over a period of about 3-4 weeks. Other common names for English Lavender ( Lavandula angustifolia) include Garden Lavender, Common Lavender, Bulgarian Lavender, Narrow-Leaved Lavender, and Fine Lavender.
Where is English lavender grown?
English Lavender ( Lavandula angustifolia) is native to high-altitude areas in the South of France , as well as parts of Spain and Italy. English Lavender ( Lavandula angustifolia) is extensively cultivated in the famous lavender fields of Provence, France. English Lavender is not native to England, but has been grown there in herb gardens for centuries.
Is lavandin a cross?
Lavandin can be grown in hardiness Zone 5-9. All Lavandin plants are sterile crosses of English Lavender and Portuguese Lavender.
Why do we love lavender?
We love lavender because of its wonderful fragrance and purple blooms, but we've learned the hard way that not all lavenders thrive in the heat and humidity of the South. That's why we've rounded up a few of our favorite types of lavender here.
How big does a lavender plant get?
It grows 3 to 4 feet tall, 2 to 3 feet wide, with silvery-green foliage. It's hardy throughout the South (USDA Zones 5-10). Give it full sun and excellent drainage.". You can find 'Phenomenal' lavender available from the Southern Living Plant Collection.
Is Lavendula stoechas drought tolerant?
Lavendula stoechas# N#This hardy lavender with fragrant gray-green leaves is drought and heat tolerant. It thrives in climates with hot summers and mild winters. Full sun and good drainage are key for Spanish lavender to thrive.
Does lavender grow in humid climates?
English Lavender. Lavandula angustifolia. While it isn't known to grow exceedingly well in humid and coastal climates, English lavender is well suited to milder climates, like those in the middle and upper South. It doesn't thrive in high humidity; instead, it likes hot, dry weather and plenty of sun.
Is lavender good for the South?
We've had success growing these pretty plants our gardens and window boxes—including 'Phenomenal' lavender, which is a great one for the South because it's so humidity tolerant.
What is Egyptian lavender?
Egyptian lavender is also known as a fern-leaf lavender due to its furry bipinnate leaves. This variety has a different smell and is less sweet than others. The plant can be ignored once established as long as the lavender is planted in well-drained soil and has plenty of room to grow. The flowers blossom in late spring.
How tall is Grosso lavender?
Grosso is a tall variety of lavender standing at about two feet tall. The blossoms are a very dark purple with narrow fragrant leaves. This variety can withstand cold winters as low as 15ºF and can last for years if pruned directly after flowering in the late summer. Grosso is very commonly used to extract lavender oil.
What is the name of the lavender that attracts butterflies?
Portuguese lavender, also known as spike lavender, has flowers that are simpler and more elegant than other types. The flowers produce small pale lilac bulbs in levels along the stem. This lavender is commonly used in culinary dishes and drinks. The leaves are sweetly fragrant and attract butterflies and bees.
How many varieties of lavender are there?
There are 450 varieties of lavender that are categorized into 45 different species. There is the potential of more varieties of lavender that have yet to be discovered, especially since there are a handful of hybrids. Below we’ve outlined 12 of the most recognized types of lavender that majestically cover our earth.
What color are Betty's blue flowers?
The flowers on Betty’s Blue are quite large and colored in deep violet-blue. The plants are dome-shaped and compact. This variety of lavender has a very sweet fragrance and only blooms once in the middle of the summer. Since the flowers are so fragrant, they are usually dried and used in potpourris.
When does French Lavender bloom?
It thrives in climates with mild summers and winters. It flowers as early as May then blooms twice more in June and late summer or early fall.
Where did lavender originate?
Lavender dates back about 2,500 years and is believed to have originated from the Mediterranean, Middle East and India. There are numerous uses due to its unique beauty and lovely floral scent. Today, lavender is seen in household and bath products like candles and skincare, and can even repel mosquitos!
