Strongest Scented English Lavender Varieties
Lavandula angustifolia, Lavender Fragrance
There is nothing more charming than the perfume released by Lavender (Lavandula) when brushing the flowers as you pass! Native to the Mediterranean area, Lavender was already used by the Romans to perfume their baths (Lavender derives from "lavare" in Latin meaning "to be washed") and even by the Egyptians who covered their bodies with the perfume of Lavender unguents.
How not succumb to the urge of growing Lavender? There are over 450 Lavender varieties and finding the most fragrant Lavender plant is not always an easy task. Not all Lavenders are highly scented. Some varieties are wonderful as accent plants but have little fragrance. Others might not look as spectacular but exude a rich perfume.
Among the most fragrant Lavenders are several cultivars of English Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia). It should be noted that the Lavandin plants (Lavandula x intermedia) are also prized for their delightful scent.
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 from late spring to midsummer.
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 |
Plant Family | Lavandula - Lavender |
Exposure | Full Sun |
Season of Interest |
Spring (Late) Summer (Early,Mid,Late) |
Water Needs | Low |
Maintenance | Average |
Soil Type | Chalk, Loam, Sand |
Soil pH | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral |
Soil Drainage | Well-Drained |
Characteristics | Dried Arrangements, Cut Flowers, Fragrant, 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 |
rubinowadama / 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 | Herbs, Perennials, Shrubs |
Plant Family | Lavandula - Lavender |
Exposure | Full Sun |
Season of Interest |
Spring (Late) Summer (Early,Mid,Late) |
Water Needs | Low |
Maintenance | Average |
Soil Type | Chalk, Loam, Sand |
Soil pH | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral |
Soil Drainage | Well-Drained |
Characteristics | Dried Arrangements, Cut Flowers, Fragrant, 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 |