English vs French vs Spanish lavender — which to grow where
I grow 'Munstead' lavender at my Long Island house -- specifically for the reason that it's an English lavender (*Lavandula angustifolia*) that overwintered reliably in zone 7a without the crown dieback I saw with other types I tried. I have two plants, now five years old, in the driest part of my.
I grow 'Munstead' lavender at my Long Island house — specifically for the reason that it's an English lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) that overwintered reliably in zone 7a without the crown dieback I saw with other types I tried. I have two plants, now five years old, in the driest part of my garden along the driveway edge where summer drainage is excellent. They've never had pest problems. In a wet summer the stems get a bit floppy but that's the only issue.
The English vs. French vs. Spanish distinction is often glossed over in garden center labeling, but it determines whether your lavender survives winter, whether it tolerates humidity, and whether the fragrance is what you expect.
The three main species
Per NC State Extension:
English lavender (Lavandula angustifolia): zones 5—8; compact, 12—24 inches tall; narrow gray-green leaves; tubular flowers in purple, pink, or white; blooms May—July; the most cold-hardy and the primary source of culinary and aromatic lavender; the "true" lavender of the perfume industry.
Lavandin (Lavandula × intermedia): hybrid of L. angustifolia and L. latifolia; zones 5—9; larger plant (24—36 in); more vigorous and higher oil yield than English lavender; includes cultivars 'Grosso', 'Hidcote Giant', 'Provence'; less compact than English types but excellent for cut flower and dried flower production.
French lavender (Lavandula dentata): zones 7—11; toothed gray-green leaves; blooms nearly continuously in mild climates; less fragrant than English; not reliably hardy below zone 7.
Spanish lavender (Lavandula stoechas): zones 7—9; distinctive "rabbit ear" bracts on flower tops; blooms earlier than English (spring); not reliably hardy below zone 7; popular in Pacific Coast gardens.