French lavender is large and will grow from about 2 to 3 feet (61-91 cm.) tall and wide, while English lavender stays much smaller and more compact, although it may grow up to 2 feet (61 cm.). Bloom time. The flowers on these plants are similar in size, but they last much longer on French lavender.
How do I identify French lavender?
French (Spanish) Lavender (Lavandula stoechas)
- Lavandula stoechas, the most common species by this name, is famous for having long, larger petals (bracts) at the top of each spike, or inflorescence.
- Of all the types of lavender, Lavandula stoechas has the most showy flowers.
How do you know what kind of lavender you have?
Simply use your nose and eyes to identify lavender plants. Identify English lavender (L. angustifolia) by its sweeter fragrance with less of a camphor odor. You can also identify English lavender by its bloom period, which begins in early summer.
Which is more fragrant French or English lavender?
English lavenders have a more powerful aroma then French lavenders and tend to be grown more commercial as a result. English lavender can tolerate cold winters (hardy to USDA zone 5) and grow better in mild acidity then French lavenders.
Which is the strongest smelling lavender?
lavandin plants
Commonly grown in the lavender fields of France, ‘Grosso’ lavandin plants are the most fragrant of all lavenders. Its strongly scented purple flowers are often used in making perfumes and sachets.
Does French lavender need cutting back?
For best results, grow Lavandula stoechas in well-drained soil in full sun. Cut back the flower stalks after they have finished, and then trim back plants in April, if necessary.
Should French lavender be deadheaded?
Deadhead French lavender regularly throughout the summer. This prolongs the flowering and creates new growth the following April/May.
How do I know if I have English lavender?
French lavender has a stout flower topped with very distinct long petals at the very tip, almost like bunny ears. English lavender is what you probably picture when you imagine lavender. It is slightly cone shaped flowers atop a long thin stem. It’s typically lighter in color than French lavender as well.
Which is the prettiest lavender?
French lavender is especially fragrant and showy. The highly fragrant French lavender (Lavandula stoechas, 1-3′) has some of the showiest flowers of all the lavenders. The Mediterranean native was grown by the Romans for its exceptional scent, and its ability to thrive in hot and dry conditions.
What is the most valuable type of lavender?
The Most Profitable Lavender Varieties
- 1 – Lavendula augustifolia or English Lavender.
- Buena Vista.
- Folgate.
- Hidcote.
- 2 – Lavender X intermedia. This species is actually a cross between Lavendula augustifolia and Lavendula latifolia and are referred to by the name lavandins.
- Gros Blue.
- Grosso.
- Super.
What is the sweetest smelling lavender?
Lavandin
The most fragrant Lavender plants are the Lavandin (Lavandula x intermedia). Several cultivars of English Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) are also prized for their delightful scent. Lavandula x intermedia, also called Lavandin, is a hybrid cross between Lavandula angustifolia and Lavandula latifolia.
Which lavender blooms the most?
A: Two of the longest blooming kinds of lavender are Lavandula angustifolia ‘Irene Doyle’ and the hybrid L. ‘Goodwin Creek Grey. ‘ The best way to have lavender blooming all summer is to plant several different kinds that bloom sequentially.
Which is the easiest lavender to grow?
English lavenders
English lavenders are the easiest lavenders to grow, with varieties such as ‘Munstead’ and ‘Hidcote’ regarded as the easiest and most versatile lavender varieties as they require minimal maintenance and can survive in both hot and cold climates.
Which lavender is the darkest purple?
Lavandula x intermedia ‘Impress Purple’ (Lavender)
Probably the darkest purple-flowered Lavender of all! A favorite for cut flowers and fresh bouquets.
How many years does a lavender plant live?
When sited correctly and pruned judiciously, lavenders should live for five to seven years. Although lavender is fairly drought tolerant, adequate moisture is required throughout the growing season. Most critical are the weeks after planting to ensure that soil around the rootball does not dry out.
Why is my lavender not fragrant?
The reason lavenders do not smell is usually to do with a lack of sunlight or soil that is too fertile. The less sun a lavender receives, the less flowers and oils will be produced which ultimately limits the lavenders smell. Lavenders need full sun and low to medium fertility soils to produce the best fragrance.
What happens if you don’t prune lavender?
Prune for healthier lavender plants
An annual pruning is an important step for long-lasting lavender (Lavandula spp. and hybrids) plants. Without it they grow a large, lanky, woody base that can split open — it looks bad and shortens the plant’s lifespan.
What happens if you cut lavender back too far?
“It’s true that lavender doesn’t regenerate if you cut hard back like this, but you can often find signs of young shoots sprouting from those lower, woody stems. This is a good indication that hard pruning could help to regenerate the plant.
Why is my French lavender not flowering?
The reasons for lavender not flowering are usually because the plant is stressed. Lavenders are adapted to sandy soils of low fertility. If the soil is too rich and nutrient dense then the lavender will grow leggy and produce fewer flowers.
Can you cut French lavender back hard?
Lavenders thrive if pruned back fairly hard but never cut back into old wood as most lavender plants won’t re-grow from this. Always make sure there is some healthy green growth left for the plant to regenerate from. Dead-head French lavenders throughout the summer as they’ll flower continuously from May to September.
Does French lavender come back every year?
French lavenders are perennial plants that live for several years. The reason some people mistake French lavenders for annuals is that they grow them in a climate that is too cold for French lavender to survive winter and then have to replace the plant every year.