Alphabetical Plant Listing

Early Blooming Lavenders

Lavender Types, Lavender Varieties, Lavender Blooming Seasons


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, also called Spanish Lavender or Butterfly 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 other Lavenders. 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, also called True Lavender or Common 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 tends to last 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
Plant Family Lavandula - Lavender
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 Deer, Drought, Rabbit, Dry Soil, Rocky Soil
Attracts Bees, Butterflies
Landscaping Ideas Banks and Slopes, Beds and Borders, Edging, Hedges and Screens, Patio and Containers
Garden Styles City and Courtyard, Coastal Garden, Gravel and Rock Garden, Informal and Cottage, Mediterranean Garden, Traditional Garden
Compare All Lavandula - Lavender Great Plant Combination Ideas with Lavandula - Lavender Guides with Lavandula - Lavender

kuzeytac / 123RF Stock Photo

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
Plant Family Lavandula - Lavender
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 Deer, Drought, Rabbit, Dry Soil, Rocky Soil
Attracts Bees, Butterflies
Landscaping Ideas Banks and Slopes, Beds and Borders, Edging, Hedges and Screens, Patio and Containers
Garden Styles City and Courtyard, Coastal Garden, Gravel and Rock Garden, Informal and Cottage, Mediterranean Garden, Traditional Garden
Compare All Lavandula - Lavender Great Plant Combination Ideas with Lavandula - Lavender Guides with Lavandula - Lavender

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