When you think of lavender, you might be thinking of the scent of your favorite candle or soap. If you’re a gardener, maybe you’ve been dreaming of
incorporating lavender into your landscape for a pop of purple
. Are you only picturing one type of lavender? As it turns out, there are 47 species within the Lavandula genus, each with their own unique growing needs.
Typically, lavender thrives in USDA Hardiness Zones 4 to 10; however, these zones aren’t universal for all varieties, nor do they guarantee equal success across different climates. Fortunately, selecting the perfect lavender variety for your garden isn’t an overwhelming task with numerous options available. You can choose from just three primary types—English lavender (Lavandula angustifolia), Spanish lavender (Lavandula stoechas), and hybrid lavender (Lavandula x intermedia)—to suit your local conditions effectively.
Read more:
15 Best Purple Plants For Your Flower Garden
The Three Main Types Of Lavender To Consider
The first type of lavender, English lavender, is also the most common type, so it’s no surprise that another name for this particular species is “common lavender.” It’s a pretty resilient perennial shrub with a solid drought tolerance and little need for fertilization, which makes it an excellent
outdoor plant for dry climates
However, the downside of this tolerance is that the primary danger to your English lavender stems from excessive moisture—you’ll need to be more concerned with issues like overwatering, high humidity, and poor drainage in the soil rather than problems such as droughts or low temperatures.
Spanish lavender, which is occasionally referred to as French lavender, can withstand dry conditions quite well. This variety tolerates higher temperatures better than English lavender; however, it is not as resilient when faced with cold weather and is somewhat delicate compared to English lavender. Although Spanish lavender struggles more in colder climates, it has an advantage against deer because of its potent scent, making them less likely to feed on it.
The third type among the primary lavender varieties, referred to as hybrid lavenders or lavandins, includes plants from crossbreeding English lavender and Portuguese lavender, scientifically named Lavandula x intermedia. Although these hybrids require somewhat more care compared to their English counterparts, they exhibit greater resilience against hot conditions—provided those temperatures remain dry. Various subtypes within this category thrive under differing climatic circumstances; for instance, the ‘Provence’ variety demonstrates improved tolerance towards humid environments.
What Kind of Lavender Suits Your Garden’s Weather Conditions Best?
Lavender comes from the Mediterranean, so it generally prefers climates that mimic that: hot, dry summers and mild winters. No matter the species, it’s not finicky about what soil it’s planted in, as long as that soil isn’t heavy clay with little drainage. The most surefire way to know which lavender is best for your climate is to look at your hardiness zone. The U.S. Department of Agriculture breaks the country into these zones based on an area’s average annual minimum winter temperature, with lower zone numbers equating to colder winters. If a plant is hardy to a larger range of zones, it can withstand a larger range of temperatures.
English lavender is resilient in Zones 5 through 9, indicating it can withstand temperatures as low as 20°F, although protective measures might still be necessary.
Prepare your lavender for winter to shield it from severe conditions.
This option works well in cooler regions and stands out as the most flexible type among different varieties. As it’s a mix with English lavender, hybrid lavender can adjust to cold conditions; however, it flourishes primarily within USDA zones 5 through 8 — typically favoring hotter, drier environments yet showing some tolerance for varying temperatures. For areas characterized by high heat and moisture, opt for Spanish lavender instead, as it handles humidity better compared to others but requires attention to avoid excessive watering. Ideal for warm climates, this variety remains robust specifically in Zones 8 and 9.
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