Strongest Scented English Lavender Varieties

What is English Lavender?

English lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) is a beloved perennial herb renowned for its aromatic, purple-blue flowers, and silvery-gray foliage. Here’s a comprehensive look at this plant:

• Habit: English lavender, typically growing to heights of 1-2 feet (30-60 cm) and spreading up to 2-3 feet (60-90 cm) wide, forms mounds of linear, narrow leaves, providing year-round interest. Its compact nature makes it suitable for borders, rock gardens, and containers. Its upright flower spikes rise above the foliage in summer, attracting beneficial insects.
• Hardiness: Lavandula angustifolia is hardy in USDA zones 5-9, preferring cooler climates than other lavender types. It can withstand cold winters but requires well-drained soil and winter mulch in colder regions to prevent root rot from wet winter soils.
• Flowers: The highly aromatic flowers bloom from late spring into summer. They are typically deep violet-blue but can range from pinkish purple to dark purple or white, depending on the cultivar. The flowers, rich in essential oils, are often harvested for use in aromatherapy, perfume, and culinary applications.
• Uses: Beyond the garden, English lavender serves many purposes. It’s commonly used in dried flower arrangements, potpourris, and sachets. The oil is used in soaps, lotions, and essential oils. In the culinary world, it flavors baked goods, jellies, ice creams, and beverages. Additionally, its nectar-rich flowers are highly attractive to bees and other pollinators, promoting biodiversity.
• Benefits: Cultivating English lavender presents several benefits. It’s a drought-tolerant and deer-resistant plant, making it a low-maintenance choice for gardeners. Its strong fragrance can deter pests, and it’s often planted to edge vegetable gardens as a natural pest repellent.

Whether you’re drawn to its fragrance, flower display, or the bees and butterflies it attracts, English lavender adds a charming touch to any garden while offering a multitude of uses and benefits.

To assist you in selecting the right plant, we have prepared this guide, which we hope will be helpful to you.