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Lavender Species
Types of Lavender
There is much confusion in the lavender world regarding classification of lavender. I have heard reference to “English”, “French” and “Spanish” but in some regions, these names are something different entirely. For clarification, it is much easier to refer to lavender by its proper name.
Lavender belongs to the Lamiaceae or mint family as do rosemary, true mints, and sage. The genus or group in regards to lavender in the Lamiaceae family is Lavandula. There are at least eight groups of lavender but here in the Northwest, we generally grow three types. Angustifolia, also referred to as “true” lavender, lavandula x. intermedia or lavandin and lavandula Stoechas.
There are several species of lavender, over one hundred, and the species is usually referred to at the end. This gives you an idea of what type of lavender you are getting and what the growth habit, time of bloom, etc. you should expect. An example would be ‘Grosso’ for instance. We would refer to the genus first, lavandula, the group it belongs to, x. intermedia, and then the species, ‘Grosso’. Thus the full name would be Lavandula x. intermedia ‘Grosso’.
 Lavendula angustifolia
Lavendula angustifolia tends to be smaller, bloom earlier in the season, and are more varied than the others. Many vibrant purples, whites and even pinks fall into this category. Here at our farm, depending on the weather, I have found true lavender to bloom anywhere from late May to late June. Many have a sweeter smell and can be used for crafts, potpourri,oils and for culinary uses. I am currently growing fourteen different augustifolia varieties and each one has a different personality, much like wine.
 Lavendula x. intermedia or Lavandin
Lavendula x. intermedia or Lavandin, as some like to call it, is a cross between true and spike lavender. Many cultivars are available and all are in lavender blue except one, which is white or ‘Alba’. I have found this variety to be extremely hardy and great for growing in the Northwest. Their height is tall, as well as their bushy habit, and the stem length is longer, which makes for better bunches of lavender. Some species, such as ‘Grosso’, tend to have a woodier or pine smell, and many types of lavandin are not appropriate for culinary use as they contain camphor, which gives the dish a somewhat bitter taste. Lavandins need to be propagated from cuttings, as they are sterile.
 Lavandula Stoechas
Lavandula Stoechas, sometimes referred to as French lavender, (I have also heard people call it Spanish) is distinguishable by small, purple butterfly-like bracts on the top of the blossoms. These unique lavender plants are seen mostly in gardens and for hedging purposes. I read they were used for oil in France at one time but were replaced by the lavandin.
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