Growing lavender is rewarding, relaxing, and satisfying.
Not only do these beautiful plants look great in any space, but their sweet fragrance and striking purple-blue flowers make them a joy to have around.
If you’ve ever grown lavender before, you’ll know just how hardy and easy to grow it is. In fact, it’s one of the most common herbs grown as a home garden plant due to its versatility and ease of maintenance.
Not only does it grow well in a pot or directly in the ground, but it thrives in almost any conditions except for humidity (which isn’t so much a problem as it is a simple precaution).
There are many different varieties of lavender plants available on the market today. Some have more purple hues than others, while some feature blue tones rather than pink ones.
The types of lavender plants can determine the origin, resistance, and appearance of the plant you want to maintain.
Choosing Lavender plants that suit your planting purpose is needed before buying Lavender.
Some things you can consider before buying Lavender include:
Contents
Hardiness
Lavender can grow well in zones 5 to 8. Certain varieties can grow in zones 9 and 10. Other varieties can grow in zones 3 and 4 with added protection.
Frost hardiness is a consideration, but humidity also needs to be considered. Lavender is not resistant to high humidity.
In addition to the USDA horticultural zone map, you can also use the United States Plant Heat Zone Map that the American horticultural society has developed.
The United States Plant Heat Zone Map divides the country’s territory into twelve heat zones.
You can use both maps (USDA horticulture and Hot zone map) to get the type of Lavender you want to grow.
Flowering Stem Length
For those of you who intend to sell lavender plants, you need to consider the length of the flowering stems, the scent of Lavender, and the color of the flowers.
The length of the flower stem is so essential to the florist that it usually costs more for a longer size.
Plant height
If you intend to keep Lavender as a hedge, the height of the foliage is more important than the flowering stems.
Plants like the pink ‘Jean Davis,’ the compact ‘Munstead,’ or the ‘Blue Dwarf’, which can reach 12 inches, may be an option.
Plants with the name nana, the botanical Latin term for ‘dwarf’, can be your choice for a more dwarf plant.
Plants L. multifida, L. x intermedia ‘Grappenhall’ dark blue-purple blooms that can reach 40 inches can be your choice for larger plants.
Foliage Color and Texture
There are several different leaf colors and textures that you can choose from depending on the Lavender variety, such as gray-green, blue-green, gray-white, or jagged leaf textures.
There are several varieties of Lavender that you can choose from, including:
- L. stoechas has gray-green leaves.
- L.a.’Mrs. Grey’ has gray and white leaves.
- L. viridis green leaves with a combination of cream flowers.
- L.lanata ‘Boiss’ has a hairy leaf texture.
- L.dentata has deep, fragrant green leaves with scalloped texture at the edges.
Flower
Flower color is vital if you want to keep this plant as an ornament at home. In the garden, white or pink is a different color from Lavender in general that you can choose.
If you want to dry flowers for a bouquet in winter, there are some rich lavender options to consider, including:
- L.a. ‘Hidcote’.
- L.x. Intermedia ‘Dutch’.
If you don’t care about color, but do care about the length of the flowering stems, you can choose ‘Grosso’ lavender or ‘Provence’ lavender.
Flowering Period
Lavender usually blooms in the summer. But don’t expect much from young plants that are still growing in their first year.
The Lavender will have a nice, eye-catching appearance in the second year. If you are concerned with blooming time, the choice of L.a. ‘Tucker’s Early Purple’ is an early-blooming variety.
If you want a plant with a second strong growth in the fall, choose L. angustifolia ‘Irene Doyle’ (or ‘Two Seasons’), ‘Sharon Roberts’, and ‘Buena Vista.’
Types of Lavenders by Bloom Color – Richest Purples
Lavandula angustifolia ‘Hidcote’
Originating: Hidcote Manor, France, early 1920s.
Flower Appearance: dark blue
Leaf Appearance: green
Stem: 6–8 inches
Bloom: once in spring
Height: 12–20 inches
Recommended distance between plants: 20–24 inches
Regional Zone: 5–9
The popularity of ‘Hidcote’ has resulted in several different seed-raised plants of the natural kind. The characteristics above are a description of the natural species.
‘Imperial Gem’
Originating: Norfolk Lavender, Norfolk, England, 1960s.
Flower Appearance: dark blue
Leaf Appearance: gray-green
Stem: 10–14 inches
Bloom: once in spring
Height: 24–30 inches
Recommended distance between plants: 30–36 inches
Regional Zone: 5–9
‘Imperial Gem’ is quite similar to the true ‘Hidcote’ cultivar but has larger flower heads.
‘Hidcote Superior’
Originating: Jelitto Perennial Seeds, Schwarmstedt, Germany, 2002
Flower Appearance: dark purple
Leaf Appearance: green
Stem: 6–8 inches
Bloom: once in spring
Height: 20–24 inches
Recommended distance between plants: 24 inches
Regional Zone: zones 5–9
One of the lavenders with the darkest blooms is ‘Hidcote Superior.’
‘Purple Bouquet’
Originating: Sunshine Herb Farm, Tenino, Washington, 2006
Flower Appearance: dark purple
Leaf Appearance: gray-green
Stem: 12–15 inches
Bloom: twice starting in early summer
Height: 24–30 inches
Recommended distance between plants: 30–36 inches
Regional Zone: zones 5–9
Purple Bouquet’s tall, dark stems make it an excellent choice for bouquets or crafts.
‘Impress Purple’
Originating: France via New Zealand, 1983; named by Peter Smale, Redbank Research Centre, New Zealand, 1994.
Flower Appearance: purple
Leaf Appearance: gray-green
Stem: 20–24 inches
Bloom: once in early summer
Height: 30–36 inches
Recommended distance between plants: 36–42 inches
Regional Zone: zones 5–9
‘Impress Purple’ is ideal for fresh bouquets. When held up to the sun, the dusty purple flower spikes appear dusted with silver.
Types of Lavenders by Bloom Color – Darkest Blues
‘Betty’s Blue’
Originating: Nichols Garden Nursery, Albany,Oregon, 1998
Flower Appearance: dark blue
Leaf Appearance: gray-green
Stem: 6–8 inches
Bloom: once in early summer
Height: 30 inches
Recommended distance between plants: 30–36 inches
Regional Zone: zones 5–9
Because of its deep blue hue and tight flower heads, ‘Betty’s Blue’ is an excellent choice for crafts.
‘Blue Cushion’
also sold as ‘Schola’
Originating: Blooms of Bressingham, Suffolk,England, 1992
Flower Appearance: light blue
Leaf Appearance: green
Stem: 8–10 inches
Bloom: once in spring
Height: 18–24 inches
Recommended distance between plants: 24 inches
Regional Zone: zones 5–9
This is a little cultivar that would be ideal for a container.
‘Thumbelina Leigh’
Originating: Elsie and Brian Hall, Blenheim, New Zealand, mid-1990s
Flower Appearance: dark violet
Leaf Appearance: green
Stem: 4–6 inches
Bloom: once in late spring
Height: 20–24 inches
Recommended distance between plants: 24–30 inches
Regional Zone: zones 5–9
This type is ideal for containers due to its compact growth habit and short spikes. Because it is patented, commercial propagation is prohibited.
‘Violet Intrigue’
Originating: Virginia McNaughton and Dennis Matthews, Christchurch, New Zealand, 2002
Flower Appearance: dark violet
Leaf Appearance: gray-green
Stem: 10–12 inches
Bloom: once in spring
Height: 30–36 inches
Recommended distance between plants: 36 inches
Regional Zone: zones 5–9
This unique cultivar is highly valued for its outstanding bloom quality and habit.
Also, read about how to plant, grow and care for lavender.
Types of Lavenders by Bloom Color – Pinks
‘Coconut Ice’
Originating: Virginia McNaughton, Lavender Downs, West Melton, New Zealand, 1997
Flower Appearance: pink
Leaf Appearance: gray-green
Stem: 10–12 inches
Bloom: once in spring
Height: 24–30 inches
Recommended distance between plants: 30–36 inches
Regional Zone: zones 5–9
‘Coconut Ice’, like ‘Melissa,’ produces both pink and white flowers on the same flower head; however, the pink flowers are a bit darker.
‘Hidcote Pink’
Originating: Major Lawrence Johnston, Hidcote Manor, Gloucester, England, before 1957
(Johnston brought Hidcote to England from
France in the 1920s)
Flower Appearance: light pink
Leaf Appearance: green
Stem: 6–8 inches
Bloom: once in spring
Height: 30–36 inches
Recommended distance between plants: 36 inches
Regional Zone: zones 5–9
‘Hidcote Pink’ has a rich, sweet smell and is excellent for cooking.
‘Little Lottie’
also sold as ‘Clarmo’
Originating: Norfolk Lavender, Norfolk, England, 1998
Flower Appearance: light pink
Leaf Appearance: gray-green
Stem: 6–8 inches
Bloom: once in spring
Height: 20–24 inches
Recommended distance between plants: 24–30 inches
Regional Zone: zones 5–9
‘Little Lottie’ is a fragrant herb that is excellent for cooking.
‘Melissa’
Originating: Van Hevelingen Herb Nursery, Newburg, Oregon, 1994
Flower Appearance: light pink
Leaf Appearance: green
Stem: 8–10 inches
Bloom: once in early summer
Height: 30 inches
Recommended distance between plants: 30–36 inches
Regional Zone: zones 5–9
‘Melissa’ is frequently used in cooking. Some say it has a peppery flavor, making it a wonderful choice for savory recipes.
‘Miss Katherine’
Originating: Norfolk Lavender, Norfolk, England, 1992
Flower Appearance: pink
Leaf Appearance: green
Stem: 12–14 inches
Bloom: once in spring
Height: 24–30 inches
Recommended distance between plants: 30–36 inches
Regional Zone: zones 5–9
This is one of the lavender types with the darkest pink flowers.
Best Types of Lavenders for Humid Summers
‘Ana Luisa’
Originating: Van Hevelingen Herb Nursery, Newburg, Oregon, 1998
Flower Appearance: dark purple
Leaf Appearance: silver
Stem: 20–25 inches
Bloom: once in early summer
Height: 36–42 inches
Recommended distance between plants: 36–48 inches
Regional Zone: zones 7–10
This is one of the species’ biggest kinds, with tall stems and rounded blooms.
‘Kathleen Elizabeth’
also sold as ‘Silver Frost’
Originating: Van Hevelingen Herb Nursery, Newburg, Oregon, 1991
Flower Appearance: violet
Leaf Appearance: silver
Stem: 12–14 inches
Bloom: once in early summer
Height: 36–48 inches
Recommended distance between plants: 48 inches
Regional Zone: zones 7–10
This cross between Lavandula lanata and Lavandula angustifolia has dark violet blooms and delicate silver foliage that stays green all year, making it an excellent landscape plant.
‘Grosso’
Originating: Pierre Grosso, Vaucluse District,
France, about 1972
Flower Appearance: purple
Leaf Appearance: gray-green
Stem: 20–24 inches
Bloom: once in early summer
Height: 32–36 inches
Recommended distance between plants: 36 inches
Regional Zone: zones 5–9
Like a hedgehog, the bloom habit of ‘Grosso’ makes an almost flawless 180-degree dome. The The flower spikes are slightly darker than those of ‘Fat Spike.’ This type contains the most oil. All lavenders, and more than 70% of lavender oil produced worldwide, come from ‘Grosso.’
‘Provence’
Originating: Alpenglow Gardens, North Surrey, British Columbia, mid-1950s
Flower Appearance: light purple
Leaf Appearance: green
Stem: 24–30 inches
Bloom: once in early summer
Height: 48–60 inches
Recommended distance between plants: 60–72 inches
Regional Zone: zones 5–9
‘Prov