Heidi Norton
Lavender is a Mediterranean plant known for its beautiful purple blossoms and its calming, floral fragrance. There are over 450 varieties of lavender, and while some are wonderful accent plants, they may not be as fragrant as others. When choosing which lavender to grow for its fragrance, it's important to consider your climate and soil type. English lavender, or Lavandula angustifolia, is a highly scented variety with a distinct smell, while Lavandin, or Lavandula intermedia, produces more oil but has a less distinct fragrance. For a rich, velvety look, the 'Royal Velvet' variety is a captivating choice with its dark navy blue flowers and intense colour. For a more subtle, mild scent, the Lavandula 'Melissa' variety has sweetly fragrant, pale lilac blooms.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of varieties | Over 450 |
| Colour | Purple, sky blue, violet, lilac, dark purple-blue |
| Height | 12-20 inches |
| Width | 24-30 inches |
| Soil type | Alkaline soil with a pH closer to 7 |
| Sunlight | Thrives in full sun |
| Uses | Edging, hedging, accent plant, containers, culinary, medicinal, essential oil, skincare, perfumery, colognes, lotions, aromatherapy, natural sleep products |
| Species | Lavandula lanata ‘boiss’, Lavandula x intermedia ‘Grosso’, Lavandula x intermedia ‘Hidcote Giant’, Lavandula x intermedia ‘Seal’, Lavandula angustifolia, Lavandula stoechas, Lavandula dentata, Lavandula ‘Provence’, Lavandula ‘Melissa’, Lavandula ‘Royal Velvet’, Folgate |
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What You'll Learn
- English lavender is a fragrant option with bright blue to purple flowers
- Lavandin, or Lavandula intermedia, is a drought-tolerant variety with a strong fragrance
- Spanish lavender is a hardy variety with a distinctive scent and large, aromatic flower buds
- French lavender, or Lavandula dentata, has a refined stem and a less aggressive growth habit
- Lavandula lanata 'boiss', or 'woolly lavender', is tender with white foliage
English lavender is a fragrant option with bright blue to purple flowers
If you're looking for a fragrant lavender variety to grow, English lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) is an excellent option. It has a distinct, sweet, and calming fragrance, making it a popular choice for use in wellness products, such as essential oils, skincare, and natural sleep aids.
English lavender is characterised by its bright blue to purple flowers, which stand out against its grey-green foliage. Its compact growth habit and shorter stature make it ideal for creating low hedges or small bouquets. With its vibrant colours and alluring scent, it's sure to enhance any garden or indoor space.
When it comes to growing English lavender, it's important to note that it thrives in full sun and well-drained, alkaline soil with a pH closer to 7. Avoid overwatering, as lavender is drought-tolerant and only needs occasional deep watering once the soil dries out. Pruning in early spring or after flowering will help maintain its health and fragrance.
Harvesting English lavender just as the flowers open will capture the best fragrance and ensure a long shelf life. The flowers can be dried and used in a variety of ways, such as potpourri, sachets, wreaths, and even cooking or natural remedies. The dried flowers retain their colour well and can also be used in fresh or dried flower arrangements to add a beautiful fragrance.
With its captivating scent and aesthetic appeal, English lavender is a wonderful choice for those seeking to bring a touch of nature's magic into their lives.
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Lavandin, or Lavandula intermedia, is a drought-tolerant variety with a strong fragrance
Lavandin, or Lavandula intermedia, is a hybrid lavender variety resulting from a cross between Lavandula angustifolia and Lavandula latifolia. This variety is known for its strong fragrance and is cultivated for its oil, which is used in the perfume and aromatherapy industries. It is also used in landscaping as a border plant, in rock gardens, or as part of a perennial garden.
Lavandin is a drought-tolerant plant that can go for several months without water once established. It is important to note that while it can tolerate drought conditions, it still requires some moisture, especially when newly planted, to help the roots establish and grow deeper into the soil. Lavandin thrives in well-drained, alkaline soils and full sun, but it can also tolerate mildly acidic soil and some shade.
The hallmark of Lavandin is its flowers, which emerge in the summer as long branched flower stalks from the foliage. These flowers can be blue, light blue, or white, depending on the variety, and they bear fragrant spikes of tiny flowers. The dried flowers retain their strong fragrance and can be used to make sachets to perfume wardrobes and repel moths.
Lavandin is a popular choice for gardeners due to its versatility and ability to thrive in various climates. It is slightly less hardy than English Lavender but inherits its cold hardiness from Lavandula angustifolia and heat tolerance from Lavandula latifolia. This makes it an excellent option for those seeking a fragrant and resilient lavender variety for their garden.
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Spanish lavender is a hardy variety with a distinctive scent and large, aromatic flower buds
Spanish lavender, or Lavandula stoechas, is a highly versatile and beautiful plant. It is a hardy variety with a distinctive scent and large, aromatic flower buds. It is a standout in any garden with its unique, pineapple-shaped blooms topped with vivid purple bracts. It is native to North Africa and the Mediterranean and thrives in hot, dry climates. It is ideal for those seeking a low-maintenance plant for their garden.
Spanish lavender is a sun-loving plant that needs full sun to thrive. It requires at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight per day. It is drought-tolerant and does not require frequent watering. During the growing season, water the plant deeply once a week, and reduce watering during the fall and winter. It is important to note that Spanish lavender is susceptible to root rot in overly wet conditions, so ensure the soil is well-drained and the plant receives moderate water.
This lavender variety typically grows in a bushy mound, reaching up to 24-30 inches in height and width. It is one of the earliest lavenders to bloom, with a long blooming season from mid-spring to late summer. The flowers are usually purple but can also be pink or white, and they are topped with distinctive "rabbit ears" or bracts that resemble wings. The blooming season typically starts as early as May in areas with mild summers and winters, followed by another flush of colour in June and late summer or fall.
Spanish lavender is known for its strong, sweet fragrance, making it a popular choice for perfumes, essential oils, and aromatherapy products. It is also deer-resistant due to its strong fragrance and fuzzy leaves. This variety is quite hardy and does not struggle with many pests or diseases. However, it is more prone to spittlebugs, which, although not fatal, leave frothy waste on the plants.
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French lavender, or Lavandula dentata, has a refined stem and a less aggressive growth habit
There are over 450 varieties of lavender, a shrubby plant with soft purple, sky blue, or violet flower spikes. It is used in cooking, natural remedies, and perfumes. When selecting a variety to grow, it is important to consider your climate and soil type. French lavender, or Lavandula dentata, is a variety that has a more refined stem and a less aggressive growth habit than Spanish lavender. It is valued for its scent and the long, spicy wands that can be made from its dried stems.
French lavender is native to warmer regions. It has thinner flower buds and a different scent than Spanish lavender. The French worked with lavender species to create varieties that were especially useful in the perfume trade. It is worth noting that the French refer to Lavandula dentata as "English lavender". However, English lavender, or Lavandula angustifolia, is typically shorter in stature with brighter blue flower petals than the French types. English lavender is also more disciplined and compact in its growth habit, making it ideal for use as a low hedge.
When growing French lavender, it is important to select a location with full sun and well-drained soil. Avoid spots where water collects, as this can lead to root rot. French lavender, like other varieties, thrives in alkaline soil with a pH closer to 7. You can test your garden soil with an inexpensive kit and adjust the pH with horticultural lime or wood ashes if needed. French lavender should be watered sparingly and may only require watering once or twice a month in dry climates.
Propagating French lavender can be done through cuttings, seeds, or layering. Using heat underneath seed-starting trays can help with germination and root growth. Cuttings can be taken from softwood and rooted in the garden or in pots. Layering can be done by scraping the underside of a branch and holding it to the ground with a rock or wire until it roots into a new plant. With its refined stem, less aggressive growth habit, and desirable scent, French lavender is a great choice for those looking to add beauty and fragrance to their garden.
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Lavandula lanata 'boiss', or 'woolly lavender', is tender with white foliage
There are over 450 varieties of lavender, and finding the most fragrant plant can be challenging. Some varieties are wonderful as accent plants but have little fragrance, while others might not be as visually appealing but exude a rich perfume.
One such variety is Lavandula lanata, or woolly lavender, a species of flowering plant native to southern Spain. This evergreen dwarf shrub, which grows up to 1 metre tall, is characterised by its silver woolly hairs and narrow spikes of deep violet-purple flowers. The plant is known for its attractive appearance and familiar lavender fragrance, and has even received the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit. Woolly lavender is tender with white foliage and is hardy in mild and coastal areas, tolerating temperatures down to -5°C. It prefers a warm, sheltered location in full sun and is drought-tolerant.
When it comes to growing fragrant lavender, it's important to select a variety that suits your climate and soil type. For example, Lavandula intermedia (Lavandin) is typically the most hardy, while French and Spanish varieties thrive in warmer regions. Lavender thrives in full sun and well-drained, alkaline soil with a pH closer to 7. Avoid overwatering, as lavender may only require watering once or twice a month in dry climates. Instead, provide plenty of moisture when newly planted, until the roots get established and grow deeper into the soil.
To propagate lavender, you can use softwood cuttings or seeds. Using heat underneath seed-starting trays helps with germination and root growth. Lavender branches can also be layered by scraping the underside of a branch and holding it to the ground until it roots into a new plant.
Whether you choose to grow Lavandula lanata or another variety, harvesting the flowers just as they open will yield the best fragrance and longest shelf life. You can then dry the flowers and use them in a variety of crafts, such as potpourri, sachets, wreaths, and dried flower arrangements.
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Frequently asked questions
There are over 450 lavender varieties, and many of them are fragrant. Some of the most popular fragrant varieties include:
- English Lavender ‘Royal Velvet’: This variety has long stems and dark navy blue flowers. It is perfect for cut flowers and grows rapidly.
- Lavandula x intermedia ‘Grosso’: This variety is known for its intense fragrance and striking deep violet flower spikes. It is ideal for crafting wands or sachets as it retains its scent and color when dried.
- Lavandula x intermedia ‘Hidcote Giant’: This variety features abundant, large, and vibrant violet flower spikes held high on elegant, outward-spraying stems.
- Lavandula x intermedia ‘Seal’: This variety has long violet-blue flower spikes that spray elegantly outward. It is a favorite for lavender bags as its soft and pleasant fragrance lasts for a couple of years.
- Lavandula ‘Provence’: This variety has a nice fragrance and is best grown as a protected plant in Northern zones.
- Folgate: This variety is an excellent source of lavender oil and is great for culinary use.
- Lavandula ‘Melissa’: This variety has sweetly fragrant, pale lilac blooms that offset fine silvery-green foliage.
Here are some tips for growing fragrant lavender:
- Choose a lavender variety that suits your climate and soil type. Lavandula intermedia (Lavandin) is typically the hardiest, while French and Spanish varieties thrive in warmer regions.
- Lavender thrives in full sun and well-drained, alkaline ("sweet") soil with a pH closer to 7.
- Avoid overwatering lavender plants, but do give them plenty of moisture when their soil dries out.
- Prune lightly in early spring or after the flowers have faded.
- Cut flowers just as they open for the best fragrance and longest shelf life.
Lavender has a distinctive floral fragrance that feels fresh and is slightly sweet. Compared to other floral fragrances like rose and geranium, lavender has a more subtle and mild scent, which helps it pair well with other fragrances. Lavender's calming, relaxing qualities are due to the presence of linalool, the component that gives lavender its distinct smell and anxiety-reducing effects.
