There are dozens of lavender varieties available worldwide. With so much choice, it becomes difficult for most gardeners to select the suitable ones to grow.
I thought it would be helpful to research and suggest different lavender varieties so that you don’t have to do any heavy-lifting.
Today I’m going to discuss lavender varieties for the following purposes;
- Essential oil production
- Suitable varieties for growing in pots and containers
- Best varieties for outdoor cultivation
Go through this article and am sure by the time you finish reading, you will have easy time selecting the best lavender variety for your next garden project.
Best Lavender Varieties for Essential Oil Production
Different lavender varieties produce different qualities and quantities of oil. This is obviously influenced by spring rains, summer heat and altitude.
There are two main species of essential oil producing lavender known to many gardeners. The Lavandula angustifolia (also known as English/true lavender), and Lavandula x intermedia (also known as lavandin).
Lavandin has a much higher oil yield and its worldwide oil demand is much greater.
Lavandin varieties are used commercially in cheap laundry detergents and soaps with higher-volume fragrances.
On the other hand, English lavender oil is used in more expensive and sought after and is used in low-volume fragrance perfumes, cosmetics and high-quality bath products.
Here are the best lavender varieties for oil production;
1. Royal Velvet (L. angustifolia)
Royal Velvet has sweeter, floral fragrance.
2. Maillette (L. angustifolia)
Maillette is one of best angustifolia and is considered to produce the best standard oil.
3. Grosso (L. x intermedia)
Grosso has a high camphor content and is considered to be the highest oil producing lavender.
4. L. x intermedia ‘Super’
Super has an oil fragrance similar to angustifolias but higher oil producing capacity.
Best Lavender Varieties for Growing in Pots and Containers
There are two main species of lavender (English - angustifolia and French - stoechas) well known to gardeners for good performance in pots and containers.
Lavandula stoechas is also known as Spanish Lavender, French Lavender, or Butterfly Lavender.
Lavandula angustifolia is also known as Common or True Lavender.
Each of the two species has several lavender varieties best suited for growing in pots and containers as described below.
The rule of thumb when choosing your container varieties is to always go for the dwarf cultivars.
Read: 7 Easy Steps to Growing Lavender in Pots
Lavender varieties from the species ‘angustifolia’ for growing in pots/containers
1. Thumbelina Leigh
Thumbelina Leigh is a lavender variety with a compact, rounded habit, two-tone flowers and a long blooming season.
Its strong fragrance and repeated flowering is one of the characteristics that makes it a favourite for many gardeners.
Thumbelina Leigh looks beautiful in containers due to its compact growth habit and short spikes.
This lavender blooms continuously from late spring to mid-summer.
2. Munstead
Munstead is a cultivar with medium purple flowers that grows well in containers and remains attractive all year round.
This lavender variety blooms twice starting in late spring or early summer.
3. Hidcote
Hidcote is a free flowering lavender variety with long lasting and delightful scent.
It has small dark bluish purple flowers.
4. Lavandula angustifolia (Little Lottie)
Little Lottie is an English Lavender variety also sold as 'Clarmo'
A lovely, very fragrant compact and charming dwarf lavender with masses of attractive light pink flower spikes.
Little Lottie blooms once in late spring or early summer
5. Nana Alba
Nana Alba is a compact and very floriferous dwarf lavender variety with attractive snow white flowers in short spikes and silvery-green foliage.
Typically grows in a compact 12 in. tall (30 cm) bushy dome and spreads up to 20 in. (50 cm).
Nana Alba blooms once in midsummer. Expect a second and third flush of flowers during the season once you cut the flowers of 'Nana Alba' soon enough.
6. Lavenite Petite
This New Zealand lavender variety is quite distinctive with its pom-pom flower spikes.
Lavenite Petite has short stems and tight foliage hence a top choice for containers.
This lavender variety depicts compact and dense, extremely fragrant intense violet flowers.
Lavenite Petite blooms once in mid to late spring (early to mid-May).
7. Rosea
Lavandula angustifolia (Rosea) also sold as ‘Jean Davis’ is a lovely pink lavender variety with compact, strong sweet scent and upright pale pink flowers.
Rosea blooms once in late spring or early summer.
Read: How to Water Potted Plants and Keep them Happy
Lavender varieties from the species ‘stoechas’ for growing in pots
1. Fathead
Fathead is a compact French Lavender with plump round flower heads and highly aromatic silvery foliage.
Its long lasting dark purple flowers beautifully fade to pink as they mature.
Fathead blooms almost continuously from mid-late spring to late summer.
2. Regal Splendour
Regal Splendour is a French lavender with plump, violet-blue flower heads and aromatic bright green foliage.
This lavender blooms from mid-late spring to late summer.
3. Ballerina
Ballerina is an attractive French bicolour Lavender with plump purple flower heads and strong aromatic silvery foliage.
This lavender blooms from mid-late spring to late summer.
4. Kew Red
This French bicolor lavender variety has plump, bright, deep crimson-pink flowers that fade to white as they mature.
Kew Red’s silvery foliage is highly aromatic. This Lavender blooms continuously from mid-late spring to late summer.
5. French Lavender
Lavandula pedunculata subsp. pedunculata depicts a tall upright habit with rounded dark plum flower heads, highly aromatic foliage and long stems.
This lavender variety blooms almost continuously from mid-late spring to late summer and can bear flowers almost all year around in mild climates.
Read: Container Gardening: How to Improve Drainage in Potted Plants
Best lavender varieties for growing outdoors
The type of lavender to grow outdoors is determined by the region. Nevertheless, most hardy lavender varieties will perform well in most regions.
Lavender varieties from angustifolia /English/ Common lavender species are known to be hardiest as compared to those from other species so go for those first.
Regions can be classified as hot and humid, cool and wet, hot and dry or cold areas and I have listed down the varieties best suited for each region as you can see below.
Lavender varieties suitable for Hot and Humid areas (Mid-Atlantic, Upper and Lower South)
1. Provence French Lavender
Produces abundant, fragrant, purple flowers. Can grow up to 2′ wide and tall.
Suitable for Zone: 5 – 9
2. With Love™ Lavender
This lavender is super heat tolerant and has a long blooming season. Produces long-winged pink flowers.
Grows up to 2′ wide and tall.
Suitable for Zone: 6 – 10
3. Silver Anouk Spanish Lavender
Blooms heavily in spring. Its tall winged flower spikes are summer heat and drought tolerant
Grows up to 2′ wide and tall.
Suitable for Zone: 6 – 10
Lavender varieties suitable for Cool and Wet areas (Coastal California, Pacific Northwest)
1. Thumbelina Leigh English Lavender
Thumbelina Leigh blooms up to three times a year.
Grows up to 1’ wide and tall.
Suitable for Zone: 5 – 9
2. Winter Bee Spanish Lavender
Produces purple and fragrant flowers.
Grows up to 2’ wide and tall.
Suitable for Zone: 7 – 9
3. Blueberry Ruffles French Lavender
An early bloomer of violet-purple petals.
Grows up to 2’ wide and tall.
Suitable for Zone: 8 – 10
Lavender varieties suitable for hot and dry areas (Southwest, West Coast, California)
1. Riverina Thomas French Lavender
A variety that produces large flowers that yield five times the aromatic oil of their parent types.
Grows up to 3’ wide and tall.
Suitable for Zone: 5 – 9
2. Munstead Lavender
Munstead Lavender has a compact growth habit and aromatic foliage.
Grows up to 2’ wide and tall.
Suitable for Zone: 5 – 9
3. Goodwin Creek Gray Lavender
A variety that is heat tolerant and rugged with a compact, taller growth habit.
Grows up to 4’ wide and tall.
Suitable for Zone: 7 – 9
Lavender varieties suitable for Cold areas ( Above Zone 4)( Northeast, Upper Midwest, Interior West)
1. Melissa Lilac Lavender
Perfect for edging paths and borders. Has aromatic foliage that perfumes garden when brushed against
Grows up to 2’ wide and tall.
Suitable for Zone: 5 – 9
2. Hidcote Blue English Lavender
Hidcote Blue English Lavender is one of the cold hardiest of the English lavenders.
Grows up to 3 feet tall.
Suitable for Zone: 5 – 9
3. Phenomenal Lavender
Phenomenal Lavender does not die back in the winter and is highly resistant to diseases and heat. This variety is humidity tolerant.
Grows up to 3’ tall.
Suitable for Zone: 5 – 8
Conclusion
As we have seen throughout the article, it is paramount for us to remember that ‘purpose’ greatly influences the choice of lavender variety.
Do not also forget that ‘region’ also influences variety choice especially for outdoor growers.
Let me know what your thoughts in the comments.