Are you a fan of lavender? This iconic garden plant not only adds beauty to your backyard but also brings a delightful fragrance to your outdoor space. However, did you know that there are different varieties of lavender to choose from? In this article, we will explore 14 of the best lavender varieties that you can grow in your garden.
Understanding Lavender Varieties
All lavender varieties share similar characteristics. They are neat-growing, aromatic, drought-tolerant, deer-resistant, and evergreen shrubs that thrive in well-drained soil and plenty of sunshine. While their sizes range from 14 inches to 4 feet, many varieties are ideal for borders, path edging, low hedges, patio pots, and large containers. In addition to their beautiful purple, lavender, pink, or white flowers, most lavender varieties have gray foliage that complements their blooms.
Hardy Lavenders
Most lavender varieties fall into two groups: hardy lavenders and patio lavenders. Hardy lavenders are suitable for USDA Zone 5 or above. They are mainly derived from Lavandula angustifolia (English lavender) and Lavandula x intermedia (lavandin). These varieties are perfect for small specimens, edging garden paths, and driveways. Not only are they rich in aromatic oils, but they also have excellent hardiness.
Patio Lavenders
Patio lavenders, on the other hand, are less hardy (USDA Zone 7). They can be moved into a cold greenhouse or sunroom for winter protection. These lavenders, derived from Lavandula dentata, Lavandula lanata, Lavandula pedunculata, Lavandula stoechas, and Lavandula viridis, are great for containers, patio pots, and deck plantings. Just keep in mind that lavenders grown in containers require warmer winter temperatures compared to those planted in the ground.
14 Modern and Classic Lavender Varieties
Now, let’s explore some of the best lavender varieties for your garden. These new and classic varieties offer a range of options for various growing conditions.
1. Lavender BeeZee Series
- Type: Lavandula angustifolia
- Hardiness: USDA Zone 5
- Height: 15 inches
- Good for: Low hedges, containers, drought gardens
The BeeZee Series is known for its hardiness and compact size. These lavender varieties are perfect for drought-tolerant planting ideas, as well as containers and low hedges. They come in five matching compact varieties, each producing flowers in shades of blue, pink, and white.
2. Lavender ‘Goodwin Creek Gray’
- Type: Lavandula dentata hybrid
- Hardiness: USDA Zone 7
- Height: 3 feet
- Good for: Patio and deck containers
‘Goodwin Creek Gray’ is an excellent choice for patio and deck containers. This lavender variety, discovered in Oregon, features silvery gray foliage, long stems, and violet sails. It adds a touch of elegance to your outdoor space.
3. Lavender ‘Hidcote’
- Type: Lavandula angustifolia
- Hardiness: USDA Zone 5
- Height: 26-30 inches
- Good for: Hedges, dry gardens, Mediterranean gardens
‘Hidcote’ is one of the hardiest lavender varieties and has been popular for over a century. It pairs well with other Mediterranean plants and thrives in dry gardens and hedges. This classic lavender variety has dense spikes of violet flowers and gray-green leaves.
4. Lavender ‘Imperial Gem’
- Type: Lavandula angustifolia
- Hardiness: USDA Zone 5
- Height: 26-30 inches
- Good for: Hedges, dry gardens, Mediterranean gardens
If you’re looking for intensely colored lavender, ‘Imperial Gem’ is the perfect choice. This compact and hardy variety boasts deep violet flowers and silvery leaves. It adds a touch of richness to your garden and is ideal for dry gardens, hedges, and Mediterranean plantings.
5. Lavender Javelin Series
- Type: Lavandula stoechas
- Hardiness: USDA Zone 8
- Height: 14-20 inches
- Good for: Patio and deck containers
The Javelin Series is perfect for herb gardens in pots and containers. With two sub-series, Forte and Compact, these lavenders are disease-resistant and ideal for beds, borders, dwarf hedging, and containers.
6. Lavender Little Lady (‘Batlad’)
- Type: Lavandula angustifolia
- Hardiness: USDA Zone 5
- Height: 20 inches
- Good for: Very low hedges, window boxes, individual pots
Little Lady (‘Batlad’) is a hardy garden lavender known for its neat and compact growth. It adds charm to your lawn edging, window boxes, and low hedges. This lavender variety features lilac-blue flower spikes and glossy green foliage with a strong aroma.
7. Lavender ‘Meerlo’
- Type: Lavandula dentata hybrid
- Hardiness: USDA Zone 9
- Height: 40 inches
- Good for: Pots on the patio or deck
‘Meerlo’ is an ornamental shrub perfect for containers on your patio or deck. With fragrant and variegated foliage, this lavender variety stands out from the crowd. Its gray-green leaves are edged in cream, and it produces pale blue flowers on long stems.
8. Lavender ‘Miss Katherine’
- Type: Lavandula angustifolia
- Hardiness: USDA Zone 5
- Height: 2 feet
- Good for: Hedges, dry gardens, Mediterranean gardens
‘Miss Katherine’ is another hardy lavender variety that thrives in hedges and dry gardens. Its dark pink flowers add a splash of color, and the gray-green leaves release a pleasant aroma.
9. Lavender ‘Nana Alba’
- Type: Lavandula angustifolia
- Hardiness: USDA Zone 5
- Height: 12 inches
- Good for: Very low hedges, window boxes, individual pots
‘Nana Alba’ is a unique lavender variety that complements white garden ideas and silver color themes. With its broad and aromatic gray-green foliage, this dwarf lavender is ideal for window boxes and very low hedges.
10. Lavender Phenomenal (‘Niko’)
- Type: Lavandula x intermedia
- Hardiness: USDA Zone 4
- Height: 3-4 feet
- Good for: Drought gardens, growing with roses
Phenomenal (‘Niko’) is renowned for its tolerance of heat, humidity, and drought. This lavender variety pairs well with roses and makes a striking addition to cottage gardens. Its purplish-blue flowers and silver foliage create a captivating display.
11. Lavender Sensational (‘Tesseract’)
- Type: Lavandula x intermedia
- Hardiness: USDA Zone 5
- Height: 2-3 feet
- Good for: Drought gardens, small specimens, large containers
Sensational (‘Tesseract’) is an excellent choice for drought-tolerant plants in pots and containers. Its silvered foliage adds elegance to your garden, and the densely packed purple flower spikes make a lovely display.
12. Lavender Sweet Romance (‘Kerlavangem’)
- Type: Lavandula angustifolia
- Hardiness: USDA Zone 5
- Height: 12-16 inches
- Good for: Edging, very low hedges, patio pots
Sweet Romance (‘Kerlavangem’) is a compact lavender variety that enhances your patio planting ideas. With its long season of deep purple flowers and gray-green foliage, it adds beauty to pots, low hedges, and edging.
13. Lavender ‘Tiara’
- Type: Lavandula viridis hybrid
- Hardiness: USDA Zone 7
- Height: 26 inches
- Good for: Pots on the patio or deck, sunny gravel gardens
‘Tiara’ is a dramatic lavender variety that adds vibrant colors to your garden. Its vivid combination of rich blue flowers and white sails makes it perfect for patio containers and sunny gravel gardens.
14. Lavender ‘Willow Vale’
- Type: Lavandula stoechas hybrid
- Hardiness: USDA Zone 7
- Height: 20 inches
- Good for: Patio and deck containers, sunny, sheltered borders, gravel gardens
‘Willow Vale’ is a vigorous lavender variety that thrives in containers and adds charm to sunny borders and gravel gardens. Its two-toned flowers and gray-green foliage create a beautiful display.
When you choose a lavender variety for your garden, you not only add color and character, but you also attract pollinators and wildlife. Additionally, lavender can be used decoratively as cut flowers, as a fragrant addition to your kitchen garden, or in essential oil production. So why not choose your favorite lavender variety and enjoy its beauty and fragrance for years to come?
