The Ultimate Guide to Choosing Lavender Varieties for Your Garden
Lavender is one of the most beloved and versatile plants in gardens around the world. Known for its fragrant blooms and ability to attract pollinators, lavender can be used for everything from creating vibrant hedges to compact container displays. However, choosing the right lavender variety for your garden’s unique needs is crucial for long-term success. This article will provide a detailed guide to selecting the best lavender varieties based on bloom time, size, and growing conditions, helping you create a thriving and fragrant garden.
Early Blooming Lavender Varieties
If you’re looking to get a head start on your garden’s flowering season, early-blooming lavenders can add a splash of color as early as spring. These varieties of Lavandula angustifolia are specially bred to produce flowers earlier than other types, making them a perfect choice for gardeners who want vibrant blooms early in the season. Here are the top varieties that are known for early blooming:
• Lavandula angustifolia ‘Bowles Early’: As the name suggests, this variety blooms early and offers an elegant appearance with its soft lavender hue.
• L. angustifolia ‘Croxton’s Wild’: Known for its vibrant blooms and fragrance, this variety also blooms early in the season.
• L. angustifolia ‘Folgate’: An excellent early bloomer with striking deep purple flowers.
• L. angustifolia ‘French Fields’: A vigorous grower that adds both visual and olfactory appeal to the early garden.
• L. angustifolia ‘Tucker’s Early’: Another early bloomer that creates a captivating lavender display with a traditional aroma.For gardeners living in cooler climates or those seeking to extend the blooming season, these early bloomers offer a head start and will brighten your garden before most other plants have even started to grow.
Lavender for Hedges: A Dramatic and Fragrant Border
Lavender hedges are not only visually stunning, but they also create an aromatic barrier that attracts bees and other pollinators to your garden. The larger varieties of lavender are ideal for creating a dense and colorful hedge that can withstand wind and provide structure to a garden landscape.
Here are some of the best lavender varieties for creating hedges:
• Lavandula angustifolia ‘Royal Purple’: As its name suggests, this variety offers rich purple blooms that are ideal for hedging.
• L. x intermedia ‘Alba’: A striking white-flowered variety that adds a unique element to lavender hedges.
• L. x intermedia ‘Fragrant Memories’: Not only visually appealing, this variety also releases a strong fragrance, perfect for hedges.
• L. x intermedia ‘Fred Boutin’: Known for its upright growth and dense foliage, this variety is excellent for hedge creation.
• L. x intermedia ‘Grappenhall’: Another robust variety suitable for forming strong, resilient hedges.
• L. x intermedia ‘Grosso’: One of the most popular varieties for its reliable growth and strong scent, Grosso lavender hedges can be seen in fields worldwide.
• L. x intermedia ‘Provence’: With its soft purple blooms and durable stems, this is another excellent choice for a lavender hedge.When planning a lavender hedge, spacing is crucial. Make sure to give each plant plenty of room to grow and establish itself. Depending on the variety, a lavender hedge can grow between 2 to 3 feet in height, offering both aesthetic value and functionality as a natural border.
All-Season Bloomers: Enjoy Lavender’s Beauty All Year Round
If you want lavender that keeps blooming throughout the growing season, consider choosing varieties that are known for repeat flowering. These “all-season bloomers” offer the best value in terms of continuous color and fragrance in the garden.
The following varieties are known for their ability to bloom multiple times throughout the growing season:
• Lavandula angustifolia ‘Buena Vista’: A hardy variety that produces flowers several times in one season, making it perfect for gardeners who want an extended display of blooms.
• L. angustifolia ‘Croxton’s Wild’: Known for its ability to bloom throughout the season, this cultivar is a garden workhorse.
• L. angustifolia ‘French Fields’: Besides being an early bloomer, this variety offers repeat blooming cycles in the right conditions.
• L. angustifolia ‘Sharon Roberts’: A compact variety that produces a near-continuous display of blooms from spring through fall.
• L. stoechas ‘Madrid Purple’: Offering showy, vibrant flowers and the ability to rebloom throughout the growing season, this Spanish lavender variety is a garden favorite.
• L. stoechas ‘Spanish Curly Top’: Known for its unique curly petals and strong fragrance, this variety also blooms several times in a season.These varieties are excellent for maintaining consistent lavender blooms throughout the year, especially in areas where the growing season is longer. They will help ensure that your garden remains colorful and fragrant even after the initial spring bloom.
Best Lavender for Containers
If you have limited space or prefer a more portable lavender display, consider using compact lavender varieties suited for container planting. Smaller in size, these lavenders are perfect for patios, balconies, or even windowsill gardens.
Here are the top lavender varieties that perform well in containers:
• Lavandula angustifolia ‘Blue River’: This small but mighty variety produces beautiful blue-lavender flowers, perfect for compact spaces.
• L. angustifolia ‘Dwarf Blue’: True to its name, this dwarf variety offers stunning flowers while taking up minimal space.
• L. angustifolia ‘Hidcote Superior’: A popular choice for containers due to its compact form and rich purple flowers.
• L. angustifolia ‘Lavenite Petite’: As its name suggests, this variety is petite but produces an abundance of blooms in a small area.
• L. angustifolia ‘Little Lottie’: Another compact variety ideal for containers, with soft pink flowers that contrast beautifully with its silvery-green foliage.
• L. angustifolia ‘Thumbelina Leigh’: A small and compact lavender known for its large, vibrant flowers despite its small stature.When planting lavender in containers, it’s important to choose a well-draining soil mix and a container with plenty of drainage holes. Lavender thrives in dry conditions, so avoid overwatering and make sure the plants have access to plenty of sunlight.
How to Care for Your Lavender
Regardless of the lavender variety you choose, proper care is essential to maintaining healthy, vibrant plants. Here are a few general care tips for growing lavender successfully:
• Sunlight: Lavender needs full sunlight to thrive, so make sure your plants receive at least 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight per day.
• Soil: Lavender prefers well-draining soil. In clay-heavy soils, consider adding sand or gravel to improve drainage.
• Watering: Once established, lavender is drought-tolerant and requires minimal watering. However, young plants should be watered regularly until their roots are well established.
• Pruning: To encourage healthy growth and abundant flowering, prune your lavender plants in early spring. Remove any dead wood and shape the plant to your desired size.
• Fertilizing: Lavender does not require heavy fertilization. A light feeding of a balanced fertilizer in early spring is usually sufficient.By selecting the right lavender varieties for your garden’s needs—whether you’re looking for early bloomers, all-season performers, or compact container plants—you’llbe setting your garden up for long-term beauty and success. Lavender is an incredibly versatile plant that can adapt to a variety of conditions and design preferences, making it a favorite for both beginner and experienced gardeners alike. Let’s dive a little deeper into some important aspects of growing lavender to ensure that your chosen varieties reach their full potential.
Lavender Growing Zones and Climate Considerations
Lavender thrives in USDA Hardiness Zones 5 through 9, though some varieties may be more tolerant to cold or heat than others. Understanding your climate zone will help you select varieties that are well-suited to your region.
• Cold Climates (Zones 5-6): If you live in a cooler climate, varieties such as Lavandula angustifolia tend to be more cold-hardy and can survive in these conditions with proper care. Early-blooming varieties such as ‘Bowles Early’ or hedge-friendly types like ‘Royal Purple’ are good options for these zones. In colder areas, it’s essential to protect your lavender during harsh winters by mulching the base of the plant and considering winter covers.
• Mild to Warm Climates (Zones 7-9): In warmer zones, Lavandula stoechas (Spanish lavender) and L. x intermedia varieties tend to thrive. Varieties such as ‘Madrid Purple’ or ‘Spanish Curly Top’ are well-suited to these conditions, with their ability to handle the heat and drier weather typical of Mediterranean-type climates. Ensure adequate spacing to allow airflow and prevent root rot in humid environments.For gardeners outside these zones, lavender can still be grown as an annual or brought indoors during the winter months. In extreme climates, growing lavender in containers that can be moved as the weather changes is an excellent option.
Companion Planting with Lavender
Lavender is a fantastic companion plant in the garden due to its ability to attract pollinators like bees and butterflies while deterring pests such as aphids and mosquitos. Here are some excellent companion plants to consider growing alongside your lavender:
• Roses: The classic pairing of lavender and roses creates a visually striking and fragrant combination. Lavender’s low-growing form and spiky flowers provide a great contrast to the rounded blooms of roses.
• Echinacea: Also known as coneflowers, echinacea and lavender both attract pollinators and share similar growing conditions. The bright pink and purple hues of echinacea complement the soft lavender tones.
• Thyme: As another drought-tolerant herb, thyme pairs well with lavender. Their similar soil and sunlight requirements make them great companions in herb gardens.
• Catmint: With its purple flowers and long-lasting blooms, catmint is a perfect companion to lavender. Both are resilient to drought and deer-resistant, making them a durable pairing for borders.
• Sage: Sage’s broad, gray-green leaves contrast beautifully with lavender’s slender stalks, and both plants can thrive in the same well-draining, sunny environment.By strategically planting lavender alongside these companion plants, you can create a thriving ecosystem that benefits both your garden’s aesthetic appeal and its overall health.
Lavender Uses Beyond the Garden
One of the many reasons lavender is so popular is its versatility beyond the garden. Lavender can be used for culinary, medicinal, and decorative purposes, offering more than just its beauty.
• Culinary Uses: While all lavenders are edible, Lavandula angustifolia is most often used in culinary applications because of its sweet flavor. Lavender buds can be used to flavor baked goods, teas, lemonades, and even savory dishes. Adding dried lavender to sugar, or using it in marinades and vinaigrettes, adds a unique floral touch to your recipes.
• Medicinal Uses: Lavender is well-known for its calming properties. Lavender essential oils are commonly used in aromatherapy to reduce stress, anxiety, and promote relaxation. Lavender oil can also be applied to minor cuts and burns to soothe the skin. Furthermore, it’s used in baths, balms, and massage oils for its therapeutic properties.
• Craft and Decorative Uses: Lavender is a popular choice for dried arrangements, wreaths, and potpourri. Its long-lasting fragrance makes it perfect for home décor. You can also make sachets filled with dried lavender buds to freshen drawers and closets, or create homemade lavender candles to add a soothing scent to your home.Conclusion: A Lavender for Every Garden
Lavender offers a multitude of possibilities for gardeners, from stunning hedges and fragrant containers to a wealth of culinary and medicinal uses. By choosing the right lavender varieties for your garden’s specific conditions and goals, you can enjoy this plant’s beauty and utility year-round.
Whether you are looking to create a calming lavender border with robust hedging varieties like L. x intermedia ‘Grosso’, or seeking to add a pop of color to your patio with container-friendly options like L. angustifolia ‘Thumbelina Leigh’, there is a lavender for every need.
By following the planting and care tips provided here, you’ll be well on your way to creating a flourishing lavender garden that will provide years of enjoyment. Lavender’s low-maintenance nature, combined with its drought tolerance and versatility, makes it a must-have for gardeners of all experience levels.
Start planning your lavender garden today, and soon you’ll be surrounded by the serene beauty, fragrance, and countless benefits that this incredible plant has to offer. Whether you’re seeking early blooms, a hedge that provides structure, or a continuous display of color throughout the season, lavender’s many varieties will ensure that your garden remains a perennial haven for both you and the pollinators that visit it.
