All types of lavender plants bring peace, calm, relaxation, and soft feelings to most gardens. The pleasant smell and different shades of purple flowers may mark a bold statement in your homestead.
Research shows that there are 47 species of lavender plants with over 450 varieties. Each type has unique visual qualities, smells, needs, and habits. I wrote this guide to share different types of lavender with detailed descriptions and pictures.
Different Types of Lavender Plants with Pictures
Choosing the best type of lavender that can suit your climate and available growing space can be a daunting experience. Here is a list of my favorite types of lavender plants to consider:
English Lavender (Lavandula Angustifolia)
Hidcote
It is a dwarf lavender variety with a strong scent from dark purple flowers. The species bloom once in the late spring into the early summer.
The Hidcote English lavender plant is an excellent choice for borders or hedges and cover slopes. It also suits all types of informal gardens such as courtyards, cities, and gravels.
The English lavender type is drought tolerant and can attract pollinators into your garden during the bloom season.
Maximum Height |
1-2ft tall |
Bloom Time |
Late spring into the early summer |
USDA Zone |
5-9 |
Alba Nana
It is a hardy dwarf dawn variety of English lavender plants with scented white flowers. The scent of the bloom brings a soothing, calming, and relaxing effect.
The compact design makes these lavender plants an excellent choice for growing in pots and containers, patio gardens, and terraces.
The fragrance from the white blooms will breathe life into your rocky garden once in the mid to late summer. It requires minimal care and maintenance routines.
Maximum Height |
10-12 inches |
Bloom Time |
Mid to late summer |
USDA Zone |
5-9 |
Munstead
It is another English lavender variety with a noble origin. Gertrude Jekill introduced this lavender variety into gardening in 1916 due to its royalty colors.
The compact habit with well define flowers helped promote its popularity. The species have five visible petals of light rosy purple shades.
The lavender plant suits rock gardens, borders, and herb gardens. It will enrich your garden with a relaxing aroma and bring life into it.
Maximum Height |
1-2ft |
Bloom Time |
Late spring to mid-summer |
USDA Zone |
5-9 |
Pink Rosea
It is my favorite lavender plant due to its strong and calming aroma. The pale pink flowers add abundance to any informal garden.
Rosea species is a generous bloomer compared to other varieties. It is an excellent choice for romantic hedges and borders.
Maximum Height |
2-3ft |
Bloom Time |
Late spring into early summer |
USDA Zone |
5-9 |
Thumbelina Leigh
It is an English lavender variety with short and thick inflorescences consisting of fewer flowers. The visual value helps breathe life in less formal gardens.
The blooms appear at the top of long stems. They usually look like violet-purple plump plumes high above the leaves.
The flower beds and containers make the Thumbelina Leigh flowers stand out more than other varieties.
Maximum Height |
10-12 inches |
Bloom Time |
Early to mid-summer |
USDA Zone |
5-9 |
Folgate
It is a classical lavender variety with thick dark purple flowers. The species bloom generously in the spring season.
The inflorescence colors and scent may bring life to your garden. Folgate English lavender plants are suitable for borders, hedges, and flower beds.
Maximum Height |
2-3ft |
Bloom Time |
Mid to late spring |
USDA Zone |
5-9 |
Little Lottie
It is a sweet cheeky English lavender plant with some slight differences from other lavender varieties and is the most popular species for pots and containers.
The little Lottie English lavender plant has inflorescences of white and light magenta colors. The myriad combination brings purity and a soft feel to the yard.
Maximum Height |
1-2ft |
Bloom Time |
Late spring |
USDA Zone |
5-9 |
Royal Velvet
The upright habit with spikes of deep or navy blue to dark violet flowers is the reason behind its popularity in North America.
The velvety texture of the blooms makes these species excellent for borders, hedges, and flower beds. The scent richness makes them fit in any informal garden.
Maximum Height |
2-3ft |
Bloom Time |
Late spring |
USDA Zone |
5-9 |
French (Spanish) Lavender (Lavandula Stoechas)
Anouk
It is the most shown French lavender variety due to the large ears at the top of inflorescences. The upright habits make the ears pop out of the leaves like a rabbit.
The bright flowers have vibrant shades of magenta and the aromatic leaves are excellent for culinary uses. It is a perfect option for flower beds, hedges, patios, and terraces.
The vibrant flowers can attract butterflies to your homestead in the spring and summer. Anouk is also an excellent companion for formal gardens.
Maximum Height |
1-2ft |
Bloom Time |
Mid-spring to late summer |
USDA Zone |
6-10 |
Ballerina
It is another showy French lavender plant with upright stems and plump spikes of deep violet flowers with elegant white ears on top.
The French lavender variety suits the containers and pots in less formal gardens. You can grow in patios and terraces to wow your guests.
I love planting these lavender varieties in rocky gardens, borders, and flower beds due to their striking colors. They are simple to grow and maintain.
Maximum Height |
1-2ft |
Bloom Time |
Mid-spring to late summer |
USDA Zone |
8-9 |
With Love
The elegance and class of this French lavender variety is the reason behind the naming “with love.” The green foliage and plump short spikes of cerise-purple colors mark a bold statement to the garden.
The ears have the most delicate pink, almost white, and bright magenta veins that breathe life into any informal garden. The aromatic scent of flowers expresses its originality in the patios, flower beds, terraces, and borders.
Maximum Height |
1-2ft |
Bloom Time |
Mid-spring to fall with different blooms |
USDA Zone |
6-10 |
Regal Splendor
The French lavender variety has thick violet-blue spikes with long upright deep magenta bracts or ears. The bracts resemble a fair crown among the leaves.
The elegance of these species suits the pots or containers on the patios, terraces, borders, and hedges. The species is simple to grow and maintain.
Maximum Height |
2-3ft |
Bloom Time |
Mid-spring to late summer |
USDA Zone |
8-9 |
Pretty Polly
Pretty Polly is among a few French lavender varieties with a strong aroma ideal for planting in containers, borders, and flower beds to create an inviting feeling.
The deep purple flowers with bright yellow centers and long white ears on top of spikes are my favorite features. These growth traits will make your garden stand out.
Maximum Height |
1-2ft |
Bloom Time |
Three times from mid-spring to late summer |
USDA Zone |
8-9 |
Butterfly Lavender Papillon
It is a less-known French lavender species though it can mark a bold statement in your garden. it has pointed bracts that look more rebellious than other classical French lavenders.
The small purple spikes with rebellious magenta ears have seen this lavender plant win an award from the Royal horticultural society.
Maximum Height |
1-2ft |
Bloom Time |
All year round |
USDA Zone |
9-11 |
Fringed Lavender
It is the only French Lavender variety with a weak scent and less showy flowers. But the purple ear tops and slivery green leaves make the plant highly appreciated.
I recommend using this fringed lavender to add texture to your flower beds, borders, hedges, and even in rocky gardens. You can also grow it in pots or containers.
Maximum Height |
3ft |
Bloom Time |
All year round |
USDA Zone |
8-10 |
Portuguese Lavender (Lavandula Latifolia)
Portuguese Lavender Plant
It is an elegant species with typical purple flowers and regular spikes. The shrubs form large clumps of silver-green leaves with upright purple spikes.
I use Portuguese lavender plants to naturalize the borders, hedges, and flower beds of my informal garden. It brings a classical appearance and a soft feeling atmosphere.
Maximum Height |
4ft |
Bloom Time |
Mid-spring to late summer |
USDA Zone |
6-9 |
Lavandin Hybrids
Provence Lavandin
It is a classical-looking lavender variety with flower heads that are deep violet purple and stunning loom when still in buds.
Provence lavender is an excellent choice for humid summers and sunny Spain. The beauty and scent are ideal for birdies or hedges.
Maximum Height |
2-3ft |
Bloom Time |
Mid to late summer |
USDA Zone |
5-8 |
Grosso Lavandin
It is a wonderful lavender variety ideal for covering sloppy terrains. It grows fast and vigorously with long spikes of flowers.
The typical violet shade is the reason behind the association with lavender plants. It also has many strong stems growing side by side but in a sparse way.
The shrub brings elegance and harmony to your garden. It requires minimal care routine and regular pruning to control their invasive nature.
Maximum Height |
2-3ft |
Bloom Time |
Mid to late summer |
USDA Zone |
5-8 |
Phenomenal Lavandin
It is another lavender cultivar with dense, rich, and luxurious effects on any informal garden. The deep vibrant violet-purple hue and thick shrub with numerous flower spikes mark a bold statement in the garden.
Maximum Height |
2-3ft |
Bloom Time |
Mid-summer to fall |
USDA Zone |
5-9 |
Hidcote Giant
It is the most unique lavender hybrid species with plump and thick spikes of magenta to violet-purple flowers that boost your garden space.
The decorative cultivar can adapt to the city and courtyard gardens. I prefer planting this plant in pots, containers, and patios that look less naturalized.
Maximum Height |
2-3ft |
Bloom Time |
Mid and late summer |
USDA Zone |
5-8 |
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