grassroots Horticulture : Lavender Farms

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Garden Tour

Lavender and butterflies

Lavender has been cultivated in the Mediterranean, Middle East, and India for thousands of years. In ancient Greece, lavender was a holy herb used in early Christian rituals. However, in ancient Indian ayurvedic medicine, lavender is considered to impart a cooling, calming, and soothing effect that aids in headaches and gastrointestinal upsets.

In Latin, the name lavender comes from “lavare” which means “to wash”- an allusion to lavender’s delightfully scented antimicrobial properties perfectly suited for bathing or washing bedding, clothes, and household items.

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A member of the mint or Lamiaceae family, lavender is a perennial plant that comes in an array of shapes and sizes. All lavenders are perennial plants belonging to the genus Lavandula.
While most of us think of lavender as the classic purple-hued spike flower, there are over 45 species of lavender containing a vast diversity of some 450 unique varieties. Each type has its own growing preferences, uses, floral shape, and distinctive aroma.

To find the best lavender for your garden, you must begin by matching your climate with one of the four main types of lavender: Spanish, English, Lavandins, or French. Let’s dive in a little deeper on each, as well as the lavender types under each climate classification.

English lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) is the most common “true” lavender that you see everywhere. These vibrant shrubs are grown in home gardens and on commercial farms around the world. They are the parents of newer Lavandin hybrids (Lavandula x intermedia), which are known for their extremely high essential oil content and fragrance.

Lavandin hybrids (Lavandula intermedia) are sometimes mistakenly called “French lavender”. In reality, they are hybridized plants made from crossing Lavandula angustifolia (English Lavender) and Lavandula latifolia (Portuguese Lavender).

Hairsteak and Purple Coneflower

If you want lavender that is…	Select a variety from this type
Best for Culinary Uses	English Lavenders (Lavandula angustifolia)
Classic Lavender Smell and Look	Lavandin Hybrids (Lavandula intermedia)
Strongest Fragrance	Lavandin Hybrids (Lavandula intermedia)
Most Elegant Stems for Floral Displays	Lavandin Hybrids (Lavandula intermedia)
Best Drought Tolerant Lavender	Spanish Lavenders (Lavendula stoechas)
Best for Hot, Humid Climates	Spanish Lavenders (Lavendula stoechas)
Best for Landscaping	French Lavenders (Lavandula dentata) and Spanish Lavenders (Lavendula stoechas)
Unique Flower Shape	Portuguese Lavenders (Lavandula latifolia)
Fastest Growing	Lavandin Hybrids (Lavandula intermedia)
Longest Bloom Time	French Lavenders (Lavandula dentata)
Most Cold Tolerant	English Lavenders (Lavandula angustifolia)