Spanish Lavender
Like French lavender, Spanish lavender's tall, pinkish-purple bracts outshine the tiny flowers they contain. Both the flowers and leaves of this low-growing, compact plant are edible. This heat-tolerant species requires lots of sun and warm temperatures to thrive.
English Lavender
English lavender is one of the most common varieties available, with tall stems topped with spikes of tiny blue flowers during its midsummer bloom period. This hardy herb is perennial in colder climates, making it ideal for northern gardeners.
English lavender 'Munstead'
A type of English lavender, Munstead is a low-growing variety that's ideal for edges and borders. This long-living cultivar's long, gray-green leaves resemble those of rosemary, while its violet-colored flowers grow in delicate clusters at the tips of compact stems. Cut back flowers after they fade to encourage a second round of blooms.
French Lavender
France is known for its lavender production—so much so that this sought-after lavender species is named for the country. Fragrant French lavender's tiny flowers are held within pale purple bracts that resemble large petals at the top of the spike, and its leaves are fringed rather than smooth. This type of lavender thrives on neglect, but you can deadhead spent flowers to encourage future blooms.
Lavandin
Lavandin is a naturally occurring Lavandula hybrid that offers a particularly strong scent thanks to its camphor content. Care is similar to lavender species, but there are some differences: its stems are longer, with multiple flower spikes on each stem that narrow to a point at the tip. It also flowers later in the season.
Fernleaf Lavender
Fernleaf lavender gets its name from the feathery, frondlike shape of its silvery-green leaves. Its tall stems bloom with slightly pointed clusters of showy, pale purple flowers through the summer. This aromatic variety is particularly attractive to pollinators.
Portuguese Lavender
Also called spike lavender, Portuguese lavender is particularly aromatic, making it excellent for scent bags and perfuming oils. It has long, white-tinged leaves. Profuse, attractive clusters of blooms grow on tall spikes two to three feet high.
Hidcote Lavender
This cultivar of English lavender's compact size and mounding growth habit make it a great addition to borders and ornamental beds. Stout clusters of dark purple flowers attract pollinators like bees and butterflies.
Lavandula stoechas 'Curly Top
This Spanish lavender cultivar is dark purple but its showy top bracts are the real star of the show. The slightly lighter, almost purple-pinkish bracts are ruffled and curved, adding great visual interest to any garden.
Spanish Lavender 'Anouk'
This vigorous cultivar has the same showy, pinkish-purple flowers as Spanish lavender. It's a drought-tolerant addition to a sunny herb garden. You can expect this type of lavender to bloom around early or mid-spring.
English Lavender 'Sarah'
Maxing out at just 12 inches tall, this compact type of lavender is ideal for planting in containers. Dark purple calyxes holding tiny, paler purple flowers give the blooms on this variety a more intense color. Harvest flowers for drying or culinary uses.
Spanish Lavender 'Kew Red'
'Kew Red' is a Spanish lavender cultivar known for the pale pink bracts that resemble rabbit ears atop each flower cluster. It's ideal for growing in warm, humid climates. Because of its strong, resinous aroma, this lavender variety is ideal for ornamental or aromatherapy rather than culinary uses.
White Lavender 'Alba'
Not all types of lavender bloom in pink or purple. 'Alba' is a type of lavandin known for its tubular white flowers with tiny yellow centers. Cut back spent blooms on this bushy, deer-resistant cultivar to encourage a second flush later in the season.
Spanish Lavender 'Fathead'
'Fathead' gets its name from its thick, rounded flower heads, topped in the Spanish lavender style with flashy bracts that fade from purple to pink as the blooms age.
English Lavender 'Jean Davis'
The flowers of most lavender varieties are, well, lavender—but a few, like 'Jean Davis', stray from shades of purple. This cultivar sports delicate pale pink, almost white flowers that taste fruity rather than bitter, making them excellent for use in sweets or other recipes. While most lavender types love heat, 'Jean Davis' grows best in regions without long periods of extreme heat in summer.