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Early Blooming Lavenders

Lavender Types, Lavender Varieties, Lavender Blooming Seasons

Lavender Flowers, Lavender Flower, English Lavender, Spanish lavender, French Lavender, Early Lavenders, Lavender Blooming Times, lavandula angustifolia, lavandula stoechas, lavandula x intermedia

There are 3 main types of Lavenders with different blooming seasons: Lavandula stoechas (Spanish Lavender), Lavandula angustifolia (English Lavender), and Lavandula x intermedia (Lavandin). Some are early bloomers, with their magnificent blooms appearing in early spring. Others are late bloomers with blooms opening up in midsummer.

Most early-blooming Lavenders are Lavandula stoechas (French Lavender) but some cultivars of Lavandula angustifolia (English Lavender) are also prized for their early spring blooms.

Lavandula stoechas (Spanish Lavender or Butterfly Lavender)

  • This lavender is recognizable by the conspicuous sterile bracts resembling extravagant ears on top of the short, dense inflorescence. Grown for its silvery aromatic leaves, its very distinctive flowers, however, steal the show with their “ears” sprouting from each flower head.
  • This Lavender loves hot weather but is more tender (Hardiness 8-9) than others. A beautiful selection for mass plantings or containers.
  • Flowering typically occurs as early as May (in areas with mild summers and winters), with another flush of blooms in June followed by another flush of color in late summer or fall.

Lavandula angustifolia (English Lavender or Common Lavender)

  • This lavender has long been cultivated for its high-quality lavender oil.
  • Cultivars of this species tend to be compact in habit and have grayish-green narrow leaves and relatively short compact flower spikes.
  • This Lavender type is great for formal or informal edging along walkways, raised wall beds, rock gardens, herb gardens, and in mass plantings.
  • Flowering typically occurs in June or July and lasts 3-4 weeks.​ However, some cultivars add beauty to the garden as early as May.

Note: Bloom times highly depend on weather conditions. Spring may arrive sooner or later in your area than in California or New England. But the bloom sequence of Lavenders remains unchanged. Early blooming Lavenders will always be the first ones to show off in the garden, whether this is in May or June in your area.

Guide Information

Hardiness 5 - 9
Heat Zones 5 - 8
Climate Zones 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
Plant Type Perennials, Shrubs
Genus Lavandula
Exposure Full Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Mid, Late)
Summer (Early, Mid, Late)
Maintenance Average
Soil Type Chalk, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Well-Drained
Characteristics Dried Arrangements, Cut Flowers, Fragrant, Plant of Merit, Showy
Tolerance Drought, Deer, Rabbit, Dry Soil, Rocky Soil
Attracts Bees, Butterflies
Landscaping Ideas Edging, Beds And Borders, Hedges And Screens, Patio And Containers, Banks And Slopes
Garden Styles City and Courtyard, Coastal Garden, Gravel and Rock Garden, Informal and Cottage, Mediterranean Garden, Traditional Garden

Early Blooming Lavenders - Early to Mid May

Planting Lavender

Lavender is an excellent choice for any gardener due to its beautiful purple blooms, enticing fragrance, and drought-tolerant nature. Here’s a quick guide on how to plant lavender:

  • Pick the Perfect Spot: Lavender thrives in full sun (6 hours minimum daily) and prefers well-drained soil. Avoid areas prone to water logging as lavender’s Mediterranean origin means it’s used to dry conditions.
  • Soil Preparation: Lavender prefers slightly alkaline soil, so consider testing and amending your soil’s pH if needed. The soil should also be loose and gravelly to enhance drainage.
  • Planting: Space the plants around 1-3 feet apart depending on the variety. Dig a hole twice the size of the plant’s root ball, place the plant in, and backfill the hole with a mix of soil and compost.
  • Initial Watering: After planting, water thoroughly. Then, water sparingly as lavender doesn’t like ‘wet feet’ and can be prone to root rot if overwatered.
  • Mulching: A light layer of mulch or white stones can help to reflect light back onto the plant and assist with weed control.
  • Pruning: After flowering, trim plants to keep them compact. A heavier prune can be done in early spring to stimulate growth.

With the right care, lavender can provide a lovely touch to your garden, producing a stunning display of color and fragrance each year. Happy planting!

Lavender Blooming Guides

Continuously Blooming Lavenders
Mid to Late Summer Blooming Lavenders
Late Spring and Early Summer Blooming Lavenders
Lavender Varieties and Blooming Seasons
Lavender: How to choose the right one?
Lavender Main Types

Garden Examples

A Fabulous Duo: Rose ‘Bonica’ and Lavender ‘Hidcote’
A Fragrant and Colorful Summer Border Idea
A Lovely Mediterranean Border with Lavender and Lilies of the Nile
A Long-Lasting Summer Idea for your Borders with Lavender, Achillea and Sedum
A Fragrant Summer Border with Roses, Lavender, Pinks and Sea Holly
A Long-Lasting Summer Duo for your Borders: Lavender and Cosmos
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Lavandula (Lavender)
While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.

Guide Information

Hardiness 5 - 9
Heat Zones 5 - 8
Climate Zones 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
Plant Type Perennials, Shrubs
Genus Lavandula
Exposure Full Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Mid, Late)
Summer (Early, Mid, Late)
Maintenance Average
Soil Type Chalk, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Well-Drained
Characteristics Dried Arrangements, Cut Flowers, Fragrant, Plant of Merit, Showy
Tolerance Drought, Deer, Rabbit, Dry Soil, Rocky Soil
Attracts Bees, Butterflies
Landscaping Ideas Edging, Beds And Borders, Hedges And Screens, Patio And Containers, Banks And Slopes
Garden Styles City and Courtyard, Coastal Garden, Gravel and Rock Garden, Informal and Cottage, Mediterranean Garden, Traditional Garden
Compare All Lavandula (Lavender)
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Explore Great Plant Combination Ideas
Lavandula (Lavender)

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