English vs. French vs. Spanish Lavender: What’s the Difference?
All lavenders share purple blooms and intoxicating scent, but look closer and you’ll find distinctive personalities among English, French, and Spanish types. The right choice means longer bloom, better hardiness, or the perfect fit for your recipe or landscape. Here’s how to tell them apart—and how to choose the best for your garden!
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English Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia)
Look:
- Dense, upright spikes of blue, purple, or (sometimes) white flowers.
- Slim, silvery-green foliage.
- Classic, compact, bushy shape.
Fragrance:
- Sweet, soft, and most “traditional”—favored for sachets, perfumes, and edible use.
Bloom Time:
- Early to midsummer (June–July); many rebloom lightly in later summer after pruning.
Hardiness:
- To –20°C (–5°F). The toughest for cold and damp climates.
Popular Varieties:
- ‘Hidcote’, ‘Munstead’, ‘Royal Velvet’
Best for:
- Borders, pollinator beds, drying, culinary, cold regions, and formal designs.
French Lavender (Lavandula dentata & L. stoechas)
Look:
- Frilly “toothed” leaves (dentata) or plump “rabbit ear” flower bracts (stoechas).
- Tall, loose or spreading habit.
Fragrance:
- Strong, piney, camphor-like scent—great for potpourri, less sought after for cooking.
Bloom Time:
- Spring to early summer, often blooming again if pruned.
Hardiness:
- Tender—only hardy to about –5°C (23°F). Needs winter protection in all but the mildest climates.
Popular Varieties:
- ‘Regal Splendour’ (dentata), ‘Goodwin Creek Grey’, ‘Barcelona’, ‘Anouk’, ‘Otto Quast’
Best for:
- Mild-winter gardens, large pots, terraces, showy displays, long bloom with “rabbit ear” bracts.
Spanish Lavender (Lavandula stoechas)
Look:
- “Pineapple” or “rabbit ear” heads—topped with large, colorful bracts.
- Gray or silvery foliage; compact plants.
Fragrance:
- Strong, often with a slightly medicinal or resinous quality.
Bloom Time:
- Very early (March/April); repeat blooms into summer with deadheading.
Hardiness:
- Similar to French types—prefers warmth, resents wet.
Popular Varieties:
- ‘Anouk’, ‘Otto Quast’, ‘Kew Red’
Best for:
- Hot climates, pots, bold front-of-bed displays, early color.
Quick Comparison Table
| English Lavender | French Lavender | Spanish Lavender | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Botanical name | Lavandula angustifolia | L. dentata, L. stoechas | L. stoechas |
| Hardiness | –20°C / –5°F | –5°C / 23°F | –5°C / 23°F |
| Leaves | Slim, green | Toothed/variable | Silvery, broad |
| Flowers | Dense, classic spikes | Showy with bracts | Pineapple heads, big “ears” |
| Bloom | Early–midsummer | Spring–early summer | Early, repeats |
| Fragrance | Soft, sweet | Strong, piney | Sharp, medicinal |
| Best for | Cold/humid, culinary | Pots/warm borders | Hot, dry beds, showy pots |
Wrapping Up
Choosing the right lavender is about matching your climate, taste, and garden style. English for cold winters and classic scent, French or Spanish for containers and showy, long-lasting spring displays in mild regions. Pick the right type, and lavender pays you back with endless color and fragrance.