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The Genus Lavandula
by Tim Upson and
Susyn Andrews
This is the first full treatment of this important genus to be undertaken since 1937. It treats 40 species and their cultivars and hybrids, presenting their taxonomy, distribution, and the history of their cultivation.
Lavender Types
The Classification of Lavender
Lavender belongs to the Lamiaceae or mint family as do rosemary, true mints, and sage. The genus or group in regards to lavender in the Lamiaceae family is Lavandula. The genus Lavandula includes more than 30 species, dozens of subspecies, and hundreds of hybrids and selected cultivars. Of these the gardener is likely to come into contact with only a few types.
There is much confusion in the lavender world regarding the taxonomy, i.e., classification of lavender. References to ‘English’, ‘French’ and ‘Spanish’ lavenders are common, however they add to the confusion since they are not botanical reference points and often refer only to the country in which the lavenders are planted.
For clarification, it is much easier to refer to lavender by its proper botanical name, consisting of the species in Latin and the variety name in English. This is like a guide that provides information on what species of lavender you are getting, and what the growth habit, time of bloom, etc. you should expect.
An example would be ‘Grosso’ for instance. We would refer to the genus first, Lavandula, the species it belongs to, x intermedia, and then the variety name, ‘Grosso’. Thus the full name would be Lavandula x intermedia ‘Grosso’.
Since there are around forty different species of lavender with more than 300 named varieties and cultivars, it is no wonder that gardeners sometimes face a dilemma when making their lavender choices.
The most common varieties are:
Lavandula angustifolia (‘English’ lavender), Lavandula latifolia (‘Spike’ lavender), Lavandula lanata (‘Wooly’ lavender) and the hybrid group Lavandula x intermedia (Lavandin).
Furthermore, notable are the tender varieties which include Lavandula stoechas (‘Spanish’ lavender); Lavandula dentata (‘French’ lavender); and Lavandula multifida (‘Fernleaf’ lavender).
'English' Lavender, 'True' lavender, Lavandula vera or Lavandula officinalis, Lavandula pyrenaica, Lavandula delphinensis .
Angustifolia means ‘narrow-leaved’. This species contains many varieties – all of which have a sweet fragrance and flower heads appearing on only one spike. Most will flower from seed in two years. There are more than a hundred varieties of Lavandula angustifolia, ranging from eight inches to three feet tall, with flowers of white, pink, blue, and purple.
Lavandula angustifolia tends to be much smaller than Lavandula latifolia, with short stalks (9-12 inches/21-30 cm) and a regular flower head which looks rather like a bottle brush. There are no axial flower shoots. The dwarf lavenders are all cultivars of L. angustifolia. Unless weakened by damp or damage, L. angustifolia is not susceptible to shab.
Uses:
Lavandula angustifolia is the variety used to distil pure, essential lavender oil. The essential oil produced from Lavandula angustifolia is called the ‘universal oil’ because it has so many applications. It is known for healing burns and all types of skin wounds; producing mild sedative effects; having strong antimicrobial action and other properties.
The oil is used in aromatherapy, perfumery and cosmetics, both in lavender fragrances and as a part of fragrance compounds, where it is particularly useful as a ‘lifter’, its high volatility helping to emphasize the top notes of other less volatile oils. It is cultivated commercially in England, France, Tasmania, China, Rumania, Bulgaria and Russia, among others.
Depending principally on the cultivar chosen, but also on the place of cultivation and weather conditions at harvest time, the hundred-plus chemical constituents of the oil and the habit of the plant will vary.
Lavandula angustifolia is also a favourite for culinary uses as it is the sweetest and not as camphorous as other species. It is used to add flavour to beverages, savoury as well as sweet dishes. The lavender can be used fresh or dried, however, as with other herbs and spices, dried lavender buds have more than double the power of the fresh herb as the flowers shrink and the oil is concentrated. To release the oils of any herb in cooking, gently bruise between your fingers before using it in your dish.
In the garden they are considered to have the best aroma.
For the gardener:
The following points are important to note:
Lavandula angustifolia is hardy – grows well in the UK as well as North American climate
It requires exposure to full sun and well-drained soil
It makes an excellent fragrant hedging, attractive to butterflies and bees
Because lavender hybridizes so easily, the seed might not come true to what you are hoping for – buy seed from reputable lavender sources
Dark violet-flowering: 'Dwarf Blue', 'Hidcote', 'Lodden Blue', 'Munstead'
Blue-flowering: 'Gray Lady', 'Irene Doyle'
Best varieties for drying: ‘Hidcote’
Best varieties for a second flush of growth:‘Irene Doyle’, ‘Pastor’s Pride’, ‘Sharon Roberts’ and ‘Buena Vista’
Best white lavender for a Moon Garden concept: 'Nana Alba'
Best varieties for short hedges:‘Munstead’, ‘Jean Davis’, ‘Dwarf Blue’
Best culinary variety: ‘Munstead’, ‘Hidcote’ or ‘Rosea’
Bloom time: If you are designing a garden were time of bloom is of importance consider that the Lavandula angustifolia species blooms in general about three weeks before the Lavandula x intermedia
Aspic, Spica lavender, lesser lavender, Nardus Italica, Lavandula spica, 'Dutch' lavender, Spikenard, 'Spike' lavender or just spike.
Latifolia means ‘broad-leaved’, and these plants have leaves that are broader and grayer than those of Lavandula angustifolia. It also has taller flower spikes, gray leaves and bright blue conical flower heads which produce large quantities of very camphoraceous oil. Axial shoots - branched like a candelabra with three or more arms grow from the main flower stem. It propagates easily from seed.
Numerous crosses between Lavandula latifolia and Lavandula angustifolia called Lavandula x intermedia or lavnadin are prized for their appearance, aroma and hardiness.
Uses:
Lavandula latifolia is mainly grown in Spain, and from it is obtained spike lavender oil. This is sometimes available in pharmacies but its main use is as a cheap oil for use in room sprays and the like. It can also add a special lustre to the varnish used on oil paintings and has been used as a moth repellent.
It has excellent therapeutic properties used externally, but they are limited due to its relatively high camphor content. 'Spike' lavender is strongly antiviral; works well for treating upper respiratory conditions through inhalation; is used for muscle aches, as an antiseptic and to relieve the sting of insect bites.
It is little used in France, for example, due to its perfume being too strong (very camphorated). It is used in Spain and Portugal to dilute both oil paint and porcelain paint.
These are tender species that have a balsam scent, ‘wooly’ leaves and deep purple corollas. They do not grow well in wet, humid climates. The leaves are silvery and felt-like making this plant particularly drought loving. For the gardener it is the foliage which is most valuable.
Lavandin, 'Bastard lavender', Lavandula hybrida, Lavandula hortensis or Lavandula burnatii
It is a cross between Lavandula latifolia and Lavandula angustifolia. The name consists of two parts: Lavandula x intermedia, plus the name of the particular cultivar (a plant that’s grown from cuttings, not from seeds). The plants were named ‘intermedia’ because they are ‘between’ L. latifolia and L. angustifolia but with certain L. latifolia characteristics being dominant:
They are large plants
They are prolific oil producers
Their oil is much more camphoraceous than that of L. angustifolia (but less so than L. latifolia)
They have axial shoots
Their flower heads tend to the conical
They have broader leaves
Due to the fact that it is a hybrid, a crossing between fine lavender and spike lavender, it is sterile and multiplies through the taking of cuttings. It can be called a clone. With the exception of ‘Grosso’ they are susceptible to shab.
Uses:
Lavandin started to be cultivated in the 1950’s, and ever since, people have confused it with fine lavender. This is a mistake as it has a much stronger smell, is infinitely less subtle than fine lavender, and according to some experts cannot be used for its medicinal properties.
Although the oil of Lavandula angustifolia is more highly prized and expensive than that of lavandin, in fact far more of the lavandin oil is produced in the world. This is due to two main reasons.
Firstly, lavandin provides a much higher oil yield due to the profuse flowering of the lavandin plants, so that even with the lower price the farmers make more money per field area if they grow lavandin rather than lavender. The Lavandula angustifolia seems to produce a yield of about 0.4% to 0.7%. The lavandin oil is much higher at about 1.5%.
In the South of France, for example, 130 kg of Lavandula angustifolia flowers are needed to obtain 1 litre of essential oil by the distilling process, compared to 40 kg of lavandin flowers required to obtain 1 litre of essential oil (a much bigger yield than fine lavender!).
The second reason is that the demand for the lavandin oil, to be used in cheaper, high volume fragrances (laundry detergents, dishwasher soaps, etc.) is greater than that for the lavender oil which is used in higher priced, lower volume fragrances in products such as perfumes, cosmetics, essential oils, skin creams, and better quality bath products.
The smell between Lavandula angustifolia and lavandin should be very noticeable. The chemical composition between the two is very similar, with one main distinction – the chemical called camphor.
In Lavandula angustifolia the camphor level is between ca. 0.2% and 0.6%, while Lavandin contains ca. 6%-8% camphor oil. Camphor has a harsh, sharp, strongly pungent fragrance, almost reminiscent of a cold remedy and it is this effect that causes the distinctive difference between the lavender and Lavandin smells.
In some cases lavandin is used therapeutically. Due to its higher camphor content it is considered to be more antimicrobial and antiseptic - much like Lavandula latifolia. It works well for easing upper respiratory and muscle conditions and for quelling insect stings, minor skin rashes and itches.
Aromatherapeutically to induce sleep, the ‘softer’ fragrance of Lavandula angustifolia can be used, while to treat a cold or catarrh, the lavandin oil in the bath would help to relieve the symptoms.
For the gardener:
Those lavender plants often seen in cottage gardens are Lavandula x intermedia plants – they are large, woody, ‘enthusiastic’ and somewhat out of control.
Some popular varieties of Lavandins are: 'Grosso', 'Provence', 'Giant Hidcote', 'Alba', 'Dutch', 'Fred Boutin', 'Grappenhall', 'Gray Hedge', 'Old English', 'Seal', 'Silver Gray', 'Standard', 'Super'
Dominant cultivar of lavandin: ‘Grosso’
Used to produce essential oil: ‘Grosso’ - this lavandin oil is used mainly for soaps, room fresheners, scented candles
Best for culinary uses: ‘Provence’ or ‘Twickel’
Best variety for drying: ‘Dutch’, ‘Gorsso’ and ‘Provence’ - they provide a nice deep rich colour and a long straight stem
Bloom time: If you are designing a garden were time of bloom is of importance consider that the Lavandula angustifolia species blooms in general about three weeks before the Lavandula x intermedia
Best white variety for a Moon Garden concept: 'Provence White Form'
‘Spanish’ Lavender, Stickadore, Stichados, Cassidony or Arabian stoechas; also sold as 'French' Lavender and 'Italian' Lavender
This is a tender species. The distinguishing characteristic of this section is the flower head topped by infertile bracts of varying length. The plants hybridise readily, however, and consequently there has recently been a huge explosion of varieties within this group, many from Australasia.
This group includes L. stoechas ssp. stoechas, L. stoechas ssp. pedunculata, L. ‘Helmsdale’, L. ‘Marshwood’, and L. ‘Willow Vale’. ‘Papillon’ and ‘Butterfly’ are two common names which have been given to L. stoechas ssp pedunculata as the large purple bracts on top of flower spikes look like butterfly wings or rabbit ears.
Uses:
This type of lavender no longer plays a significant role in the production of commercial lavender oil due to their high ketone content as well as camphorous adour. They are also not intended for decorative drying.
These tender plants can be grown outside in pots in the summer, then brought inside to a bright windowsill for the winter. The soil in the pot should contain some sand, perlite, or vermiculite to aid in drainage. Water when soil is dry to the touch and fertilize every three weeks. Spider mites and white flies can be controlled by insecticidal soap; plants should be trimmed in the spring and fall. While these varieties are not as fragrant as hardy lavenders, they will reward you with blooms almost year-round.
For the gardener:
They are an ‘eye-catcher’ for the garden. Always a showstopper but not good for drying.
Beautiful display of bracts, i.e., 'butterfly wings' or 'rabbit ears':Lavandula stoechas ssp. pendunculata - also labeled and called 'Otto Quast', Otto Quastii' or 'Quastii'; Lavandula stoechas ssp. pendunculata 'Atlas'
Beautiful display of white bracts for a Moon Garden concept: Lavandula stoechas 'Alba'
Best culinary variety: Lavandula stoechas ssp. pendunculata 'Atlas' - Note: use the foliage rather than the blooms. The blooms have little or no taste. The foliage has minty, camphoric, rosemary-like, piny, and citron-like overtones, used in savoury dishes or for grilling to smoke meats, fish and vegetables.
Nicest variety of lavender for children to enjoy:Lavandula stoechaspedunculata - the large purple bracts on top of flower spikes look like butterfly wings or rabbit ears
Best variety for its 'pungent aroma':Lavandula stoechas. Due to the higher camphor content, it has a pungent smell that repels moths, flies and mosquitoes
Latin dentate means 'toothed or edged with tooth-like projections'.These are tender species originating from the Mediterranean.
Uses:
It is only used in gardens and is distinguished by the toothed leaf (hence the name). The flower head has bracts like Lavandula stoechas, although not nearly so pronounced. The dentatas are best kept in pots to over-winter indoors and brought outdoors in the spring to thrive in the summer sun.
The soil in the pot should contain some sand, perlite, or vermiculite to aid in drainage. Water when soil is dry to the touch and fertilize every three weeks. Spider mites and white flies can be controlled by insecticidal soap; plants should be trimmed in the spring and fall. While these varieties are not as fragrant as hardy lavenders, they will reward you with blooms almost year-round.
In moderate climates, this plant maintains a consistent and attractivefoliage all year round. It is a good choice for growing in front of tall annual bedding plants or perennials that die to the ground seasonally.
For the gardener:
Lavandula ‘Goodwin Creek’, a hybrid with Lavandula lanata, has a long blossom period, silvery leaves, deep purple corollas, and is excellent for topiaries or containers.
This is a tender lavender. The flower spike is in three parts, resembling a pitchfork.
Uses:
The flowers continue to bloom in zone 5 up to October despite light frost. They are not intended for decorative drying. These tender plants can be grown outside in pots in the summer, then brought inside to a bright windowsill for the winter. The soil in the pot should contain some sand, perlite, or vermiculite to aid in drainage. Water when soil is dry to the touch and fertilize every three weeks.
For the gardener:
Spider mites and white flies can be controlled by insecticidal soap; plants should be trimmed in the fall. While these varieties are not as fragrant as hardy lavenders, they will reward you with blooms almost year-round.
Best variety for tall hedges:Lavandula multifida
Best variety for its 'pungent' aroma:Lavandula multifida (downy lavender) - due to the higher camphor content, it has a pungent smell that repels moths, flies and mosquitoes
