The Complete Guide to Lavender Varieties: Discover a Different Kind of Purple

Lavender (Lavandula) is a plant in the mint family, Lamiaceae, native to the low-rainfall regions along the Mediterranean coast. Most of the commonly cultivated species come from southern Europe and the Mediterranean region, and lavender is also distributed in the Canary Islands in the northern Atlantic, North Africa, southwestern Asia, the Arabian Peninsula and India.

Lavender has long been a garden plant with high ornamental value. Planted in borders or herb gardens, lavender creates an excellent ornamental effect, and it is also an ideal low hedge plant. Many lavender species have very attractive foliage, often gray or silver-gray, making them appealing all year round.

Lavender varieties:

1. 'Graf' Lavender

'Graf' Lavender has slender flower spikes and blooms from late spring to early summer. The plant is taller than other narrow-leaved lavenders.

Plant height: 90 cm; spread width: 75 cm; hardy zones: 5-8

2. 'Royal Purple' Lavender

'Royal Purple' Lavender has long flower stems and flowers in a rich, true purple. Even after being made into dried flowers, the color is still well preserved. As a relatively tall variety among narrow-leaved lavenders, it can be planted as a low hedge, but in humid climates, leave space between plants for ventilation, otherwise they are prone to disease.

Plant height (cm): 80; spread width (cm): 90; hardy zones: 5-8

3. 'Betty's Blue' Lavender

'Betty's Blue' Lavender has large flower spikes in deep blue-purple and blooms from late spring to early summer. Its growth habit makes it especially suitable for refined small gardens.

Plant height: 75 cm; spread width: 90 cm; hardy zones: 5-8

4. 'Buena Vista' Lavender

'Buena Vista' English Lavender blooms twice a year, which is its greatest highlight, once in late spring and once in autumn, with scattered blooms in between. Its charm also lies in its dual flower colors of purple and blue-purple. It is worth noting that if you plant it or other lavenders in containers, make sure there are multiple drainage holes and add sand or perlite to the soil.

Plant height (cm): 70; spread width (cm): 90; hardy zones: 5-8

5. 'Hidcote' Lavender

'Hidcote' Lavender is the most popular lavender variety abroad, with a strong fragrance, deep blue-purple flowers and silver-green leaves. It blooms from late spring to early summer. The plant is relatively short and grows slowly, making it a recommended variety for small gardens.

Plant height: 60 cm; spread width: 75 cm; hardy zones: 5-8

6. 'Croxton's Wild' Lavender

'Croxton's Wild' English Lavender, a variety resembling wild lavender, mainly grows in the Mediterranean region. Its flowers range from light blue-purple to light purple, and its growth habit is relatively loose and open.

Plant height (cm): 60; spread width (cm): 90; hardy zones: 5-8

7. 'Folgate' Lavender

'Folgate' English Lavender is a short plant with uniform height, small and delicate flower spikes and deep purple flowers. It blooms in early summer and is an excellent variety for cut flowers and dried flowers.

Plant height (cm): 50; spread width (cm): 60; hardy zones: 5-8

8. 'Purple Bouquet' Lavender

'Purple Bouquet' Lavender has slender flower stems and silver-green leaves. It blooms in early summer with bright purple flowers and is a top choice for cut flowers and dried flowers. Like other lavenders, it prefers a relatively dry environment, and attention must be paid to soil drainage.

Plant height: 50 cm; spread width: 75 cm; hardy zones: 5-8

9. 'Melissa' Lavender

'Melissa' English Lavender has graceful light pink flowers that gradually turn white as they fade. The flower stems are of medium length, the foliage is silver-green, and it blooms from late spring to early summer.

Plant height (cm): 50; spread width (cm): 60; hardy zones: 5-8

10. 'Munstead' Lavender

'Munstead' Lavender has large, light purple flower spikes and gray-green leaves with ruffled edges. Its fragrance is very strong. The plant is compact and grows slowly, blooming from mid to late spring. It prefers a cool, full-sun environment and is quite popular in the United States.

Plant height: 45 cm; spread width: 60 cm; hardy zones: 5-8

11. 'Jean Davis' Lavender

'Jean Davis' English Lavender is medium-sized with good upright growth. Its leaves are gray-green and its flowers are light pink with a slight purplish-pink tint. The plant is relatively short and suitable for pot cultivation.

Plant height (cm): 45; spread width (cm): 75; hardy zones: 5-8

12. 'Blue Cushion' Lavender

'Blue Cushion' English Lavender, just as its name suggests, is a low-growing variety with a rounded mound shape, like a "cushion," suitable for refined small courtyards. Its flowers are deep blue-purple, and the blooming period is long, lasting throughout the summer. Lavender prefers relatively poor soil and especially should not be over-fertilized, otherwise it is harmful to plant growth.

Plant height (cm): 40; spread width (cm): 40; hardy zones: 5-8