Illustration of Lavandula angustifolia by Franz Eugen Köhler in Köhler's Medizinal-Pflanzen (1887). [Public Domain]
Genus: Lavandula
Common Name(s): lavender
A genus of around 40 species of which some species have been cultivated since ancient Greek times and possibly earlier for medicinal and culinary use. In more recent history, a few lavender species have been cultivated extensively for the production of essential oils (mainly L. angustifolia, L × intermedia, and L. latifolia). In addition to medicinal and culinary uses, lavenders are grown for their cut flowers and dried flower buds which are popular in numerous crafts including wreaths, lavender wands, sachets, etc. Lavenders are also commonly grown ornamentals that make attractive hedges and attract pollinators.
Distribution: Northern Africa, the Mediterranean Basin, and eastward to India
Our Selection
A hybrid cross between L. angustifolia and L. lanata, discovered around the mid 1980s, that only occurs in cultivation (wild populations of the species to not overlap). They are generally much larger shrubs than L. lanata with larger, wider flower spikes that produce a high quality essential oil. Compared to L. angustifolia they have wooly, silver foliage, increased adaptation to drought, and they bloom later in the summer with much darker violet corollas that contrast with their silver-gray calyces.
A naturally occurring hybrid (L. angustifolia and L. latifolia) also known as lavandin and sometimes as French lavender. L. × intermedia are generally large, robust plants with large, abundant flower spikes and long stems. Flower colors range from light blue to dark violet and there are several white-flowered cultivars as well. They produce the highest yield of essential oil but the quality is considered lesser than that of L. angustifolia due to its higher camphor content. They are also favored for landscaping and hedges as well as crafts and bouquets.
Sometimes known as English lavender; generally 2-3' tall and 2-3' wide with either pink, white, or violet-blue flower spikes in early summer. Preferred for culinary use, medicine, high quality essential oil, containers, sachets and potpourri. Some cultivars will also bloom again in autumn.
Also sometimes known as Spanish lavender; generally 2-3' tall and 2-5' wide with 'pinecone-shaped' flower heads and distinctly aromatic foliage. The earliest to bloom and also the longest-blooming. One of the best to attract pollinators.
