Lavender, part 1: Species Overview & Top Varieties

We’re going to start off with lavender simply because of all the herbs I grow, it’s my favorite. That’s hard to say, since I like almost everything I grow! I’ll be breaking the topic up over several entries, since there’s a lot of information and pictures.

I stock several very different kinds of lavender. I’m going to be referring to them by their scientific (Latin) names to give general info, and by variety (in quotations) for more specific info.

General overview of Lavender species

L. angustifolia. And a gnome.

Lavandula angustifolia is the classic lavender. Perennial, will perform beautifully for many years if cared for (see the upcoming Part 2 for growing tips).

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L. x intermedia 'Grosso'

L. x intermedia is referred to as ‘lavandin’. It closely resembles L. angustifolia in leaf and flower shape, since it is a hybrid between L. angustifolia and L. latifolia. The key difference is that lavandins are WAY bigger.

Left: L. angustifolia flowering. Right: L. x intermedia blooming. Both plants are the same age, and were planted at the same time.

Lavandins are most widely grown for lavender oil production, even though they have a higher camphor content than L. angustifolia. Camphor is anesthetic (cooling, like the menthol found in mint) and antimicrobial; it’s an ingredient in some cough medicines and in Vicks VapoRub. High camphor content can make lavender taste less pleasant, so if you’re cooking use either L. angustifolia or a lavandin for best results. Perennial.

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Finely toothed leaves make L. dentata quite distinctive

L. dentata is most frequently called toothed or fringed lavender in the USA. Striking green leaves and a really nice upright, columnar habit instead of mounded. Grow as an annual– it will keel over at the first frost, but can still be great in your garden. It grows pretty fast and is worth it even if it has to be replaced every year. I also have a special soft spot for it because some variety of it (similar to ours, but not quite the same) is the most prevalent garden lavender in New Zealand, where I studied abroad several years ago. It was in nearly every garden, and I used to smell it every day on my way to class.

L. dentata, as a hedge in New Zealand. A hedge!!! It won't get as tall for us in PA, but it's still fantastic.

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L. pinnata has finely cut, fern-like leaves

L. pinnata is absolutely stunning with its fern-like leaves. It’s annual in our area and will die after the first fall frost, but its color and texture make it fantastic in the garden as an accent plant. It won’t have enough time to get huge, so you can use it to fill gaps and small areas that perennial lavender or other herbs will outgrow.

L. pinnata flower spike

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L. stoechas, growing at the Botanic Garden in Wellington, New Zealand.

L. stoechas is known by a number of conflicting names, including Spanish lavender. [Since place names are often misapplied to all different species of lavender, I do not label our plants by these names.] They can be grown as annuals in central PA. High camphor content makes them less pleasant for cooking/baking, but they have fantastic, unusual flowers and make terrific ornamental plants. Same as for L. pinnata– great filler plant. Leaves are similar to L. angustifolia, but more slender and less silvery.

Top Varieties

I think all of our lavenders are real winners. That being said, here are the varieties I typically recommend to first-time growers looking for perennial types.

‘Hidcote’ and ‘Munstead’: These are our two best-selling varieties. They are consistently strong and hardy, with terrific scent & flavor. ‘Munstead’ is a lighter shade of lavender-purple, while ‘Hidcote’ is dark purple. They are both very striking, and look great planted together:

‘Rosea’: This variety is tough as nails, just like ‘Hidcote’ and ‘Munstead’, but has pink flowers.

‘Provence’ and ‘Edelweiss’ are my preferred lavandins. I have always had great luck with ‘Provence’– ‘Grosso’ is also great, and is actually the leading variety grown for oil production, but it has a tendency to fall open in the center. ‘Provence’ has a trimmer shape and nice flowers. ‘Edelweiss’ is similar in habit and is a terrific plant in the garden, with the added appeal of white flowers.

L. angustifolia ‘Melissa’: We haven’t carried this variety for a few years, but I have to mention it because it’s my all-time favorite. The flowers are white when they open but fade to the palest of pinks as they age. It is just so delicate and elegant and looks fantastic planted with purple lavender and has a very neat compact shape; I’m hoping to carry it again in the future.

*edit, 3-04-10: We now have ‘Coconut Ice’, which has a different growing habit than ‘Melissa’ (less compact, according to my reading), but very similar flowers!

New Varieties

L. angustifolia ‘Coconut Ice’

Discontinued Varieties

I decided to discontinue several L. stoechas varieties:  ‘Kew Red’ and ‘Devonshire Compact Purple’. They always seem to suffer in the greenhouse. If you bought one of these in the past and thought it did well in your garden, do let me know– I’m always willing to give second chances.  ‘Marshwood’ is now the only variety that we carry of this species.

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Lavender, Part 2: Growing & Using

Part 3: Flowers

To see all 2010 plants, check the Complete List of Varieties.