The diversity of species and varieties of lavender is often underestimated. The number of varieties is also growing steadily, which means that there are not only great variations in taste. The varieties also differ visually.
Table of Contents
species delineation
Botanically, almost 40 different varieties are distinguished, most of which are at home in the Mediterranean region. However, there are also local species in countries such as Sudan or India. Lavender likes it warm, which is why the variety of species in domestic gardens is limited by the winter. Some species are frost-resistant to a maximum extent, but some of them could be overwintered frost-free indoors.
The three most important types for domestic gardens:
- However Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia)
- Speiklavendel (Lavandula latifolia)
- Schopflavendel (Lavandula stoechas)
However Lavender
Lavandula angustifolia is the best-known species and usually survives the winter without major damage. It usually forms a typical spherical shape on its own and you only have to make minimal corrections. The leaf colors vary from a strong green to a silvery white hue. There are also variations in the color of the flowers. There are the classic violet color in different nuances, white flowers and some varieties with pink flowers.
In addition to outdoor cultivation, there are also special varieties for pots. They are characterized above all by a compact growth.
Selection of varieties for the pot:
- Peter Pan: dark purple flowers, slow and compact growth
- Little Lottie: pink flowers
- Nana Alba: white flowers, slow growth
The lavender varieties that are planted directly in the garden come into their own much better. There you can use the dwarf shrubs in different ways. One possibility is to create a scented hedge or to use it as a bed border. Higher varieties are suitable as solitary plants or you can use the lavender as underplanting for rose bushes. In the herb bed or in a herb spiral, you should make a conscious choice of variety so that the shrub does not quickly dominate the dry area.
Blue Ice:
- medium height
- ice blue flowers
Dwarf Blue:
- medium height
- grey-green foliage
- dark purple flowers
Folgate:
- low altitude
- Flowers on long stalks
- early flowering
- sapphire blue flower
Hidcote Blue:
- dark blue-violet flowers
- slow growth
- can reach great heights
- intense fragrance
Hidcote Pink:
- delicate pink flowers
- faster growth
- cutting intensive
Jamlitz:
- violet flowers
- very frost tolerant
Mesh:
- suitable for crop cultivation
- high content of essential oils
- should be harvested regularly
Miss Katherine:
- intense pink flowers
- can reach great heights very old variety
Rosea:
- pink flowers
- rather compact growth
Two Seasons:
- blooms again in summer and autumn
- light purple flower
French lavender
The French lavender gets its name from the fact that its flowers are arranged as if it were a head of hair. It is characterized above all by its strikingly large inflorescences, but is not particularly frost-resistant. Therefore, a pot culture is better for him, because that way you can bring him inside with the pot before the first frost.
Ballerina:
- pink flowers
- white bracts that later turn purple
- suitable for the pot
Kew Red:
- red and white flowers
- blooms only in summer
- compact growth habit
Marshwood:
- persistent flowering
- different flower colors (pink, violet)
Otto Quast:
- pink to violet flowers
- easily recognizable scent
- sprawling growth
Papillion:
- violet flowers
- conditionally frost-resistant
Speiklavendel
Spicy lavender is not as frost-resistant as real lavender. It survives temperatures down to -5°C undamaged. Underneath, however, without additional winter protection, it becomes problematic for him. At first glance, the spike lavender cannot be distinguished from Lavandula angustifolia. The different lavender varieties of both types are also similar. However, the spike lavender has a much more intense scent and thus the higher concentration of essential oils.
However, no distinction is made between different varieties of spike lavender. A maximum distinction is made between a wild and a cultivated form. In yield cultivation, a differentiation is made only on the basis of the essential oil content.
Special Form: Lavandin
A special form of lavender is “lavandin”. It is a cross between real lavender and spike lavender. The aim of this cross for high-yield cultivation was to bring the frost resistance of real lavender into the cross and the high content of essential oils from spike lavender.
Lavandin is also a suitable variety for the garden. However, you should really only plant them if you are primarily interested in the yield and the extraction of essential oils, as is the case with spike lavender. Both types are not visually convincing, here varieties of French lavender or breeds of real lavender are much more attractive.
