Friday, November 18, 2011

I have a very large area that I want to grow a field of lavender in. What type?

All I am finding are the bush variety which I already grow. What is it they are growing when you see a picture of a very large field of it?

I have a very large area that I want to grow a field of lavender in. What type?
It's a good bet that you generally see Lavandula x intermedia 'Provence' and Lavandula x intermedia 'Dutch' in those fields as they are heavy oil producers. These two varieties are commonly used for harvesting for oil, perfume, etc.





Lavandula angustifolia and L. x intermedia are hardy to USDA z5. Lavandula stoechas is hardy to USDA Z8. Other common varieties that you come across are Lavandula x heterophylla( z8), L. pinnata (fern leaf lavender) (z9) and Lavandula dentata (z9). There are others but these are ones you generally see.





All lavenders are bushy in growth habit - no climbers or anything. The main difference between the different species are the flowers and foliage. Lavandula angustifolia and Lavandula x intermedias are very similar with slight different foliage colors and very similar flowers. Lavandula stoechas differ because the flower heads have "wings" or "rabbit ears." Lavandula x heterophylla has indented foliage. Lavandula pinnata has ferny foliage and Lavandula dentata has toothed foliage.





Hope this helps explain some of the mystery to you.





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descriptions: http://pss.uvm.edu/pss123/herlaven.html





Happy gardening. :)
Reply:Hidcote and Spanish lavender are two varieties which are extremely hardy in my zone 6. Lavender are bush type perennials and the flower stalk grow up and out of the bushy section in late summer to either harvest or leave the flower stem section on the stalks. It's when the stalks are harvested the results are single stems. Collect in bunches and keep in rooms to sprinkle on the floor when vacuuming to add a wonderful sent to your home. There are books available on all the crafts lavender is used with. The two named varieties are very different and come in several colors of pink and lavender. Lavender fields are easy to grow and beautiful. Plant them in drifts by color and type as a wave in the sea. You'll be glad you did.

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