Late Spring and Early Summer Blooming Lavenders

Lavender is a timeless and cherished plant known for its fragrant flowers, calming aroma, and versatile uses in gardens, landscaping, and various products. One of the great joys of gardening with lavender is its ability to bring color, texture, and scent into your outdoor space.

Among the many lavender plants, late spring and early summer blooming lavenders are particularly popular. These lavenders bridge the gap between the earlier blooming lavender flowers and those that flower later in the summer, ensuring your garden remains vibrant throughout the season.

Understanding the Blooming Cycle of Lavender Flowers

Lavender comes in many species and hybrids, with blooming times that vary depending on the type, climate, and growing conditions. Generally, lavender blooms in cycles, with some varieties starting as early as spring and others extending into late summer and even early fall.

Late spring and early summer blooming lavenders are those that typically start flowering from late May to June, continuing into July in some cases. These lavenders play a crucial role in providing continuous blooms in the garden, often overlapping with or following early-blooming varieties such as Lavandula stoechas (Spanish lavender) and preceding the later blooming hybrids like Lavandula x intermedia (Lavandin).

Key Late Spring and Early Summer Blooming Lavender Species

English Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia)

English lavender, one of the most widely grown lavender species, is known for its strong fragrance and compact growth habit. Most English lavender flowers are at their peak in late spring to early summer, typically starting their blooming period around late May or early June.

• Characteristics: English lavender is prized for its sweet-smelling flowers and narrow, gray-green leaves. The flowers are densely packed on slender spikes and are usually a deep purple or lavender-blue color. English lavender’s compact form and hardiness make it ideal for formal gardens, borders, and hedges. It is also commonly used for culinary purposes, sachets, and essential oil production.
• Bloom Time: In late spring and early summer, English lavender begins to flower, and its blooms typically last for about 3 to 4 weeks.These lavenders are usually one of the first to flower in cooler climates, and their blooms attract pollinators such as bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects to the garden. Cooler summer climates may have extended bloom periods, but where summers are hot, these Lavenders will stop blooming as the heat increases.
• Growing Conditions: English lavender thrives in full sun and well-drained soil. It is well-suited for colder climates (USDA hardiness zones 5-9) and can tolerate frosty winters. It requires little water once established and prefers slightly alkaline to neutral soil. Pruning after flowering helps to maintain the plant’s shape and encourages new growth for the following year.

French Lavender (Lavandula dentata)

French lavender is a late spring bloomer that continues producing flowers well into early summer. Known for its unique serrated leaves and tall flower spikes, French lavender adds both texture and color to gardens, particularly in Mediterranean-style landscapes.

• Characteristics: French lavender is distinguishable by its toothed (or “dentata”) leaves, which are a grayish-green color. The flower spikes are topped with soft lavender-blue flowers that bloom over an extended period. French lavender has a slightly milder fragrance than English lavender but remains popular for its ornamental appeal and long flowering season.
• Bloom Time: French lavender typically begins blooming in late spring and continues through early summer, with flowers often lasting for several weeks. In warm climates, French lavender can bloom nearly year-round, but in temperate regions, it primarily flowers from late spring to early fall.
• Growing Conditions: French lavender thrives in hot, dry climates and requires full sun and well-drained soil. It is less frost-tolerant than English lavender, so it’s best suited to USDA hardiness zones 8-11. French lavender is a great choice for container gardening or areas with mild winters, and its continuous blooms make it a staple in Mediterranean gardens.