What is the Best Kind of Lavender to Plant and How to Use It

Hi Everyone!
There is nothing better than having some lavender in your garden or outdoor space. What type of lavender to plant depends on what you want to use it for, how much space you have, and what look you are going for. Did you know there are three main types of lavender? French, English, and Spanish. Learn easy tricks to identify lavender types for your next trip to your favorite plant retailer.
Lavender Type I.D. Tips
At Sauvie Island Lavender Farm, I have had many customers over the years want me to identify the lavender in their garden by giving me a description. This is usually enough for me to categorize their lavender into one of three main types: French, Lav. x. intermedia, English, Lav. angustifolia, or Spanish, Lav. stocheas.
Each has a different look, bloom time, and use in the garden. Here’s the highlight on how to identify lavender types.
French Lavender
Tall flower stems with longer narrow flower spikes.
Hybrid lavenders. Seeds are sterile.
Bred for high oil content.
Can have a medicinal aroma.
Some of the flower stems are bifurcated.
English Lavender
More compact.
Shorter flower stems.
Full compact flower spikes
More of a sweet aroma
Spanish Lavender
Leaves up the flower stems.
Pineapple shaped flower with large bracts at the top.
First to bloom in late spring.
Likes to sprawl.
Not as aromatic.
LINKS:
Shop our farm online at: www.sauvieislandlavenderfarm.com
Check out our far vacation rental at: airbnb.com/h/clatsop-plains-g...
Join our free Lavender Lovers Club for online store discounts at: eepurl.com/bG_-BP
Get my free Lavender Growers Guide: 7 Growing Mistakes and How to Avoid Them: eepurl.com/c48v1L
SOCIAL MEDIA:
Facebook: / sauvieislandlavenderfarm
Instagram: / sauvieislandlavenderfarm
Twitter: @SILavenderFarm
EMAIL:
[e-mail]
ADDRESS:
Sauvie Island Lavender Farm
PO BOX 2162
Gearhart, OR 97138

[@rebel7039]

The lady nicely and expertly described the different types of lavender. Now I know I have a Spanish Lavender. Thank you!

[@saltlifegull4091]

Awesome - I want this lady to tell me bedtime stories with that voice! How stinking cute that she's surrounded by purple, even her head scarf. Every dang lavendar plant I ever bought died.

[@jo-annelcsw6166]

LOL. I agree. I have a pretty good green thumb... except when it comes to Lavender! :-(

[@jayceewedmak9524]

I agree with the bedtime stories lol I'd like her help with the grandkids

[@soniab.estacio3008]

Haha😂me too I killed every lavender I planted .I planted 8 Spanish lavender today , I hope they will thrive this time

[@CreativeDee]

I too had a problem with growing them until I decided to put it in the ground and not in a pot. Yes, I now have a beautiful large Lavender bush in my yard !! Keep trying, it is worth it. :)

[@hovhannisyanani]

Completely agree. I was just to write same. Lovely cute voice !!!

[@graceweber2822]

Now I know I have French and Spanish lavenders. Thank you.

[@kittybitts567]

This lovely lavender lady reminds of my friend Tammy Faye who died a few years ago and has left a big hole in my life and in my heart. Of course I subscribed.

[@antoinecollins690]

thank you so much... im in KS from CA. so I'm a rookie to the weather here... I feel more educated

[@mgeuleinstsear]

The best explanation I’ve ever watched about the differences. I’ve been trying to figure out which kinds I have and what I can use them for, but all the information out there is contradicting each other. Even the tags on my plants were wrong. I just harvested a big container full of English lavender and am excited to use it in the kitchen. Looking forward to harvesting my French lavender plants in a couple of weeks, too.

[@DreaMing718]

I just bought a lavender tree yesterday. OMG I am so happy. You’ve helped me identify what I bought....Spanish lavender. Now I know how to care for it. It it so fragrant. I’m addicted to the scent.

[@shirleyhelms1105]

Lavender oil is Wonderful for People who have Asthma it Calms the Wheezing down AMAZING Stuff.

[@almamissionpreneur8418]

I got Spanish too! It's lovely!

[@azadeaydogdu]

what a lovely person and video!

[@SauvieIslandLavenderFarm]

Thank you

[@broccoligirl9019]

I'm sorry if this is weird but you remind me of the fairy godmother in Cinderella just magical vibes

[@DiscoveryWonders]

I think English tolerates more water and blooms well... the french in container can get a rot. so best in a sandy outside. I’ve had French and English and I love both, just planted the English seedlings near my roses and honeysuckle. Last year they attracted good bugs and repelled bad. All mg with the cat mint (not catnip). Mind that they do self seed. my seedlings somehow spread and grew on my rocky walkway. And now I have 40+ wild seedlings out of one plant I had last year!

[@SauvieIslandLavenderFarm]

Thanks for sharing!

[@TinkyP]

This was great! Thank you!

[@Robreehl1]

This is great. Thank you!

[@sheylaboucher3829]

Thank you!

[@nikobravo8694]

This was so good, thank you!

[@VHYYZ2023]

Thank you so much for your information 💜

[@fnma21]

Thank you. That was very helpful.

[@joannbaumann4028]

Thank you Lavender Lady!

[@bxp1696]

Great video, thank you.

[@9mccloud]

Thank you💐

[@suzettedursema9206]

Thank you for the information

[@steflewins]

Thanks great video

[@yleticiam]

thank you this was really helpful.

[@mapleto1945]

Very informative, thank you!❤

[@debiearl3253]

Thank you so much.

[@DJ-uk5mm]

Thanks. Great video 👏😀

[@GreeneGene33]

Thank you very much for all the wonderful info on lavender, Best video quick and to the point! A++++

[@whaley2365]

Thank you for the information I have been seeking.

[@paulineerickson]

Thank you! I learned something new.

[@desertedenblooms]

THANK YOU FANTASTIC INFO...NEW SUB! BE BLESSED.

[@mariacullati2371]

Excellent! Now i know what I have! Thank you!

[@ojeremenfavour2604]

Lovely ❤️💕❤️👌

[@sarapawsonherrington2595]

Very useful for my lavender plant! I will go look and see. Thank you!

[@donnasantamaria8317]

Most informative video I have seen. Thank you!

[@grantjennings162]

Very informative video, thank you

[@koyama0704]

Thank you for this lovely video. I really like how you introduce these different types of lavender. I bought Spanish Lavender today. I am going to see your other videos for how to trim the lavender. 💖

[@Jelligrace]

This was perfect. Researching for the upcoming season. Thanks!

[@dkrzyston8485]

Thanks for sharing your info on Lavender plants. Now I want all 3 types.🐝

[@patriciafioramonte6378]

You are so lovely to listen to 😌

[@evi-elisabetalatcan6525]

Finally,I got it.Very instructive.Thank you.Clearly explained.a

[@GrandmaSandy]

Thank you so much for giving me so much great information about the lavender in the car this is the first video I think I’ve gotten such great input in to do with lavender thank you. Hugs and kisses from grandma Cindy awesome video I watched it twice

[@s.terris9537]

Thank you for the education about lavenders!!! I really appreciate what I've learned from you today!!! I didn't know I had Spanish Lavender before watching your show! Now I am informed, and off to find some French Lavender!

[@jayceewedmak9524]

Great presentation. Thanks so very much 😊 subscribed

[@SauvieIslandLavenderFarm]

Thanks for the sub!

[@arekbonek692]

Thank you so much for you video..I know now how to pick lavender

[@Hawthornenurse]

Thank you so much for this video. I actually use to live on Saulvies Island as a child. We are in Powell Butte, Oregon now wanting to start a lavender farm. Would love to come see your farm and meet you.

[@abbeystapleton4195]

I loved the video thank you I love the lavender I’m going to be curling it it’s called blue lavender

[@marciplantsflowers]

I want em all!!😂🎉👏👏👏

[@almamissionpreneur8418]

I learned what mine was😂 coz.of you! Thanks

[@kymkymkym2048]

Im from Scotland ive not seen your last lavender before but ive got the English lavender and what we call over here the butterfly lavender stunning 💜

[@2coryman]

I go for fragrance and culinary, so the English is my choice, thanks

[@lyddaperkowski7895]

Thanks so much ,now I know my are French lavender they are so tall and gorgeous,great tutorial and fantastic personality

[@jb12twenty2]

Thank you so much for this video, I learnt a lot 😍😍

[@SauvieIslandLavenderFarm]

You’re welcome 😊

[@gabrielleannacormierart]

Thank you for this! Are any of these plants winter hardy in zone 5? I learned a lot in this video - thank you for sharing! ❤️

[@nancylee1542]

Enjoyed your video! Wonderful! I grow English Lavender Hidcote & Munstead, both. I am planting 'Provence' this year. I have a small garden & my lavender grows very well along the border of the garden. I neglect it & it still performs beautifully. I use it for teas & cooking & gathering in little bouquets. It is the most fabulous flower, the perfume is heavenly. I live in Ontario along the St .Lawrence River. zone 5 & the lavender seems to tolerate our very cold winters. My grand mother used to put it in the dresser drawers & it makes everything smell so lovely. Linen closets too. Thanks again for such a lovely video.

[@merylmanningsegel1116]

Great information about the various types of lavender plants.😅

[@leonilaolivares9771]

First time on your channel. I just subscribed ❤. You are one of the kindest and sweet lady I have viewed on KZbin. My your love for others and the lavender plants, keep prospering. Thank you ❤

[@glow1815]

I have no idea what Lavender I bought I got it just to display on my outdoor new shelves lol. Now I know I have French Lavender because it has very strong fragrance. So informative I learned something new today. Thank you!

[@MsWinterlife]

Bought two small lavender plants a few weeks ago. I suspect one of them is the English type because it has an intense fragrance that almost radiates, and the other might be Spanish due to those extra large pinkish flowers. I remember seeing some other lavenders in the shop with greyish leaves and stems, they must look quite stunning if grown as a hedge.

[@lauraread9372]

Great info! I love Lavender, but it doesn't like me as much. So you have any tips on keeping potted through winter in zone 7?

[@isailugo7783]

Great video!! Very informative!!

[@SauvieIslandLavenderFarm]

Thanks!

[@luv-chanel2976]

Thanks for your info. Yay, mine are French Lavender, but they’re woody

[@munchiesymas5789]

Try pruning it helps mine

[@DestinationSacredGrounds]

Thanks for such an informative and friendly video. I think we have lots of Spanish lavender from what I can tell in my areas. 💜💜💜

[@SauvieIslandLavenderFarm]

Awe. Thanks to one of my favorite KZbinrs, Tamsun from Destination Sacred Ground for the kind comment!

[@DestinationSacredGrounds]

@@SauvieIslandLavenderFarm Cant believe I didn't realize you were sharing all this amazing stuff on here! Will be a regular viewer :)

[@kpinkkpink]

First time in your channel. My daughter and I are obsessed with lavender. But we know very little about how to plant this beautiful plants. Now I’m glued to your channel. Thank you so much!

[@SauvieIslandLavenderFarm]

K Pink! I just uploaded a new video with my top 5 tips for planting lavender. I hope you and your daughter enjoy it!

[@kpinkkpink]

Tks:)

[@eastcoastnews9529]

Looooooooooooooooooooooooooooove lavender, I love Howard looks love how the bees 🐝 love it / love the look the taste it’s a heavenly gift from god him self 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻

[@Sadidesifamily]

Your voice is soo soothing. Im in Scotland and hope to grow lavender. Thank you

[@SauvieIslandLavenderFarm]

My grandmother is from Scotland. She immigrated here as a child. I get mistaken for a Canadian a lot because of my voice. lol.

[@Sadidesifamily]

@@SauvieIslandLavenderFarm how lovely xxx where was your grandmother from in Scotland? You should come over at some point if you haven't do a Scottish lavender series or something x

[@sheronrobinson1544]

I will go with the English lavender

[@MiAnge1ito]

I just picked a random one with no blooms, didn't understand all the info, good to hear it is the grosso because that's the one I prefer

[@AmalineB]

The background music was distracting to your awesome message. I hope you take that out in the future. Thank you for the information.

[@SauvieIslandLavenderFarm]

Lol. Right? I’m getting better at making videos (I hope).

[@deedeesfunnyfarm479]

I like your product offerings behind you. I have been growing some lavender on my new farm. I hope to get a nice lavender farm going someday. Essential oil is one of the main goals for me. What Lavender would you recommend for high oil but still high camphor?

[@SauvieIslandLavenderFarm]

All French lavenders have a higher oil content. That is what they are bred for. Grosso has a high camphor content that gives it a medicinal smell.

[@aburton1a]

I always thought I had English Lavender growing in my garden. After watching this, turns-out it's French.

[@ThawBerry]

Same

[@hankod4466]

The last one is the English lavender

[@blueblousedesigns]

Came here because I bought some Munsted lavender seeds at Lowe's yesterday afternoon. The kind I bought has white and purple blooms according to the picture on the envelope.

[@turbomoneymiracle]

The real French lavender which is the authentic lavender native to Haute-Provence is Fine lavender also called Lavender of population. It tops all other varieties by far. It has a fine soothing fragrance and very sensual. The hybrids are far inferior in terms of quality and scent. Also, only the Fine variety is edible. The hybrids and the clonal lavender aren't meant to be consumed. Great video!

[@applestrudel9463]

Do you have any idea where I could get a plant or seeds, lavender is my all time dream plant and I would love one :’)

[@lydiatwina1227]

First time here and I’m learning on the way. Question? Can the French lavender used to make handmade soap? Thank you

[@catherineatkinson1729]

Loved your video. Learned a lot! Could you tell me the variety of the English? I like the dark color.

[@SauvieIslandLavenderFarm]

The one in the video did not have its common name on the label. But here are some of my favorite dark purple English lavenders. Royal Velvet, Betty’s Blue, Folgate.

[@maryannpisano1224]

Got my very first lavender and that’s bring me here and now I’m a new subscriber. I’ve got a Spanish lavender thank you for the info. I just want to ask if I can leave my lavender indoor?

[@SauvieIslandLavenderFarm]

Congratulations on your new lavender! It will be ok indoors just for a few days. It needs to be outdoors. Place it in a spot where it gets at least 80 percent of a be days sunlight. Thanks for subscribing! Julie

[@maryannpisano1224]

@@SauvieIslandLavenderFarm thank you Julie. Looking forward for more videos about taking care of lavender 😊

[@ritalayman9396]

Great video. The only thing missing is zones. I live in zone 6a. Is there any that will survive?

[@Dama8D]

I need help brining back to life my indoor Spanish lavender 😭 please post a video on that. Specially when it comes down to trimming 😢

[@mariaestherprado1015]

Thank you . One question which one is the hardiest for a cold weather like Winnipeg, Canada . Thanks .

[@SauvieIslandLavenderFarm]

That is very cold weather in Winnipeg! English and French are about equal in being cold hardy. Spanish lavender is not as tolerant and will have the most difficulty making in through your winters.

[@brittanynicolesmith1497]

Where is the downloadable info.? Thanks so much for the video. Learned alot. Your AWESOME!!

[@SauvieIslandLavenderFarm]

The downloadable link is in the comment section of the video. Hover over it and it will get you there.

[@savvyvenus]

I live in columbus Ohio and was told I couldn’t possibly have a friend lavender! Everything you just said about the French lavender is identical to what I have. It’s also my favorite lavender. If it’s biforcated like you said….it has to be French right?

[@deshgouri]

Thank you so much for all this great information. 🙏🏽😇 Which one is the ‘true lavender?’ I’ve got a packet of seeds that say‘container variety true lavender.’ Will they flower the same year of sowing them?

[@SauvieIslandLavenderFarm]

The seed packets of lavender are true lavenders. Think English lavender varieties. It takes about three years to fully mature. The first year you will get a few stalks with blooms. I recommend pinching them back the first year to get the plants energy into root building.

[@deshgouri]

@@SauvieIslandLavenderFarm thank you so much for the prompt response. Appreciate it 🙏🏽🙂

[@christineribone9351]

Spanish & French lavender are the same said google. But I believe you know what your talking about! That french lavender must be hard to find, I've never seen it before.

[@nazleyrhoda7844]

Thank you so much for the video.Which of the three lavender type would be best suited to plant as a companion plant amongst my roses.(Cape Town/South Africa)

[@SauvieIslandLavenderFarm]

Just my personal preference would be any English lavender.

[@slimsassi2513]

Very lovely Julie , what farm model do you have these days ?

[@SauvieIslandLavenderFarm]

Thanks for the question. My farm model has changed with our move to a new climate and different land use zoning. We no longer will offer a u-cut component with our farm. That is the main difference and I miss that personal connection with my customers. I had hoped to do a farmers market but Covid happened. However, we still offer our lavender products through our online farm store and we ship all across the country. We began planting at our new location last year. Taking into consideration the increase rain fall, high winds, and elk that come through our property, we are putting very few lavender plants in the ground but instead in large containers. This is a similar farm model of a friend of mine who grows ornamental trees in containers. Since lavender matures in three years and has an average 10 year life span, we are planting over a three year period. That way, we will not have to replace the entire crop in approximately 10 years. I have reduced the number of varieties to those that ship well and have been consistent top sellers for me. This location has given us the opportunity to also add in an Airbnb guest suite that we started last summer. Our goal after the pandemic is to offer lavender Airbnb experiences on culinary lavender and growing lavender. So, even though we do not offer u-cut, we are growing in exciting new ways with new lavender opportunities!

[@slimsassi2513]

@@SauvieIslandLavenderFarm Looking forward to see the new location in motion.

[@slimsassi2513]

missing you here

[@chrisstanford3652]

🤗🤗🌺

[@craycray4812]

I've got very first time my lavander and I've learn lots of tips from you❤😙 one more thing i want to ask which lavander plant is better for new gardener

[@SauvieIslandLavenderFarm]

Why not start off with an English lavender. They are a bit more compact, lovely color, and you can experiment with using it in some recipes.

[@Rosiet3]

I have visited the Hidcot and Munstead home gardens and the other I love is a stray specimen at the Royal Botanical Gardens (Hamilton ON) Rock garden. From the time I could cycle out on my own 11 or 12 ish I went every year to see the Rock Gardens 'waking up' There was until I last visited 15 years ago a flat plant with long leathery strappy leaves that grew in a crack of the mortar in one of the stairways. I was told it was "sea lavender". it grew one or two stems thin like the straws in a corn broom which just shot up from the 2 or 3 inch flat tattered plant to about 3 or more feet tall then the next day a huge transparent cloud hovered over the plant, then the next day or so it was covered in teensy lavender coloured blooms. It hung around for a while then disappeared. I have never seen it anywhere else. It bloomed during the time school was out I had supposed that it was something that couldn't grow in our winters without the heated stone bowl that the rock garden became with the right exposure. It grew from a sliver of space, spread it's leaves over the stone in the hot sun, got walked on and quite ignored until the cloud blossom appeared. Sea Lavender?

[@SauvieIslandLavenderFarm]

So cool! I have not heard of sea lavender.

[@Rosiet3]

@@SauvieIslandLavenderFarm Thanks for your reply, I enjoyed your explanation of the 3 types and the pleasant memories gently stirred.

[@Dalvender]

It’s My Name 😍

[@SauvieIslandLavenderFarm]

Ooh! Lavender Marmalade! Your name is inspiring a tasty new recipe for a future video! Julie

[@tomascastillo4676]

Excelente video! Where can I find French lavender seeds to start a lavender oil farm? Do you sell them? Thank you.

[@SauvieIslandLavenderFarm]

French lavenders are hybrids. The seeds are sterile. The only way to start French lavenders is by propagation with cuttings taken from other French Lavenders.

[@barathkumar2286]

Which time I want to water the lavender and which is best for cooking as well as making hair oil .last doubt I'm cutting the lavender flower can it grow again and in pots alive in years please tell me mam

[@DD-zm1uu]

Can you tell me please, do deer eat the lavender, or will they naturally leave it alone? Loved this video, as we purchased a home in southern Oregon and would like to plant lavender. Hoping to find both English and French varieties. BTW, my husband lived on Sauvie Island in the late 80’s. Such a beautiful place!

[@SauvieIslandLavenderFarm]

It is a deer resistant plant.

[@dawn6954]

Great video... I wish you had more videos tho! How to's with soil, where and how to plant. How to save a woody overgrown, totally neglected lavender. 😭 I bought this lavender a few years ago when I started gardening and was completely naive and uneducated. Maybe half pruned it once and it was only to harvest leaves. I think I might have gotten flowers from it the first year? Not sure what yo do ffor this guy but Im certain he's saveable.

[@SauvieIslandLavenderFarm]

Thank you so much for your comment. Yes! I do need to post more. I just posted a video on how to trim lavender. This should help you with your woody overgrown neglected lavender! Julie

[@markiahnadiaries5051]

French lavender or Lavandula dentata, can it be used for tea, and herbal purposes like English Lavender??? Thank you.

[@SauvieIslandLavenderFarm]

Yes, but it has a more medicinal taste so play with the amount added as to not to overwhelm the taste buds!

[@rollurowno3339]

What a legend.

[@PanickedMomma]

Can you use Spanish lavender for essential oil’s?

[@sahar1usa]

Which lavender suitable for humidity, hot and sometimes rainy a lot - like Florida

[@alenakananenka7630]

Hello! What is the best type for growing in containers ?

[@mairwaugus5203]

I had real good luck with the French type in a container last year.

[@sterlgirlceline]

❔I live on the Oregon Coast in Zone 9b about a mile inland from the ocean. Is there a lavendar that might work in costal conditions? Thank you for your wonderful video! 😊🌟

[@SauvieIslandLavenderFarm]

North coast?

[@sterlgirlceline]

@@SauvieIslandLavenderFarm The Central Oregon Coast 😊

[@janetlynnpaschall1667]

💕💜💕💜💕💜💕

[@briancastillo2089]

Is the French lavander the same as lavandula dentata? I've seen in so many places that they say so, but mine doesn't look like yours and mine is a lavandula dentata :(

[@SauvieIslandLavenderFarm]

Hi Brian! Lavendula dentata is a hybrid lavender so it can be called a French lavender. it is called dentata because of its lobed leaf edge that resembles teeth. Think dentures/dentata. lol.

[@turbomoneymiracle]

France has many varieties. However, the prestigious one and the most expensive is Fine lavender from Haute-Provence.

[@Aviella44]

Did she say “let’s get crackin”, okkk yaasss

[@SauvieIslandLavenderFarm]

Did I? Lol