Strongest Scented English Lavender Varieties

Lavandula angustifolia, Lavender Fragrance

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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.

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	Herbs, Perennials, Shrubs
Genus	Lavandula
Exposure	Full Sun
Season of Interest	Spring (Late), Summer (Early, Mid, Late)
Maintenance	Average
Water Needs	Low
Soil Type	Chalk, Loam, Sand
Soil pH	Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage	Well-Drained
Characteristics	Dried Arrangements, Cut Flowers, Fragrant, Showy
Tolerance	Drought, Deer, Rabbit, Dry Soil, Rocky Soil
Attracts	Bees, Butterflies
Landscaping Ideas	Patio And Containers, Edging, Beds And Borders, Banks And Slopes, Hedges And Screens
Garden Styles	City and Courtyard, Coastal Garden, Gravel and Rock Garden, Informal and Cottage, Mediterranean Garden, Traditional Garden

Most Fragrant Lavandula Angustifolia - English Lavender

Lavandula angustifolia ‘Folgate’ (Lavender)

With its neat and tight bloom habit, Lavender ‘Folgate’ looks great year-round. The compact bush boasts narrow leaves and fragrant, iridescent violet blooms. Ideal for cut flowers and low hedges, it blooms once in mid to late spring. It may have additional flushes of flowers if pruned promptly. Hardy and resilient, ‘Folgate’ withstands cold temperatures and returns reliably each year.

Hardiness	5 - 9
Exposure	Full Sun
Seasons	Spring (Mid, Late), Summer (Early)
Height	2' - 3' (60cm - 90cm)
Spread	2' - 3' (60cm - 90cm)

Lavandula angustifolia ‘Hidcote’ (Lavender)

English Lavender ‘Hidcote’ is a beloved variety known for its fragrant, long-lasting blooms and striking contrast between dark purple flower spikes and blue-green foliage. It’s ideal for low hedges, edging, or borders. The flowers can be used for crafts and dried arrangements, as they retain their color. Blooms in late spring with potential for additional flushes if properly pruned.

Hardiness	5 - 9
Exposure	Full Sun
Seasons	Spring (Late), Summer (Early, Mid)
Height	1' - 2' (30cm - 60cm)
Spread	1' - 2' (30cm - 60cm)

Lavandula angustifolia ‘Munstead’ (Lavender)

Lavandula angustifolia ‘Munstead’ (English Lavender) is a compact perennial or shrub known for its vibrant purple blooms and sweet fragrance. Thriving in full sun and well-drained soil, it attracts pollinators and is drought-tolerant. Munstead Lavender is popular in gardens for its ornamental value and culinary uses, providing beauty and aroma year-round.

Hardiness	5 - 9
Exposure	Full Sun
Seasons	Spring (Late), Summer (Early, Mid)
Height	1' - 2' (30cm - 60cm)
Spread	2' - 3' (60cm - 90cm)

Lavandula angustifolia ‘Royal Velvet’ (Lavender)

With its rich, velvety dark navy blue flowers, English Lavender ‘Royal Velvet’ is a captivating choice. The long stems and intense color make it perfect for cut flowers, and its rapid growth and tolerance to wet winters are highly valued. This lavender blooms twice, starting in late spring or early summer.

Hardiness	5 - 9
Exposure	Full Sun
Seasons	Spring (Late), Summer (Early, Mid)
Height	2' - 3' (60cm - 90cm)
Spread	2' - 3' (60cm - 90cm)

Planting English Lavender

English lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) is a fantastic addition to any garden due to its stunning appearance, calming scent, and beneficial pollination properties. Follow these steps to ensure a successful planting:

Choose the Right Location: English lavender requires full sun (at least 6 hours of sunlight per day) and well-drained soil. It prefers slightly alkaline soil with a pH between 6.7 and 7.5.
Planting Time: The best time to plant English lavender is in the spring after the threat of frost has passed. However, in milder climates, autumn planting also works.
Planting Procedure: Dig a hole twice the size of the root ball, set the plant in, and backfill with a mix of garden soil and compost or a soil conditioner to improve drainage. Space the plants about 2-3 feet (60-90 cm) apart to allow air circulation and prevent fungal diseases.
Watering: Water thoroughly after planting, then water sparingly. English lavender is drought-tolerant and susceptible to root rot if waterlogged.
Mulching: Apply a thin layer of white pebbles or light-colored mulch around the plants. This will reflect sunlight onto the plant, mimic its native Mediterranean habitat, and help prevent weeds.
Pruning: To promote bushiness, prune plants lightly after they’ve finished flowering and then more substantially in early spring.

Planting English lavender can provide you with a delightful, aromatic experience and transform your garden into a pollinator’s paradise. With these steps, you can ensure your lavender plants thrive and enhance your garden for many years.

Discover These Helpful Guides for Further Reading

Strongest Scented Lavandin Lavenders

Lavender: How to choose the right one?

Learn How To Plant, Care and Grow Gorgeous Lavender

How to Dry Lavender and Preserve its Fragrance

Lavender Flower Varieties and Blooming Seasons

Lavender Companion Plants: A Guide to Perfect Pairings

Garden Examples

A Fabulous Duo: Rose ‘Bonica’ and Lavender ‘Hidcote’

A Fabulous Duo: Rose ‘Harlow Carr’ & Lavender ‘Hidcote’

A Lovely Fragrant Path

A Lovely Mediterranean Border with Lavender and Lilies of the Nile

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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.