A Guide to the Most Beautiful Lavender Varieties to Grow in Your Garden

Published: October 22, 2025 at 9:53:40 PM UTC

Few plants captivate the senses quite like lavender. With its intoxicating fragrance, stunning purple blooms, and silvery-green foliage, lavender brings Mediterranean charm to any garden. But with over 450 varieties available, choosing the right beautiful lavender varieties for your space can feel overwhelming. Whether you're drawn to the classic English types, the showy Spanish lavenders, or the robust hybrids, each offers unique characteristics that can transform your garden into a fragrant paradise.

A lush summer garden filled with many varieties of lavender in full bloom, showcasing vibrant purple flowers and green foliage under warm sunlight. More information

In this guide, we'll explore the most visually stunning lavender varieties, helping you select the perfect plants based on your climate, garden style, and personal preferences. From compact border plants to dramatic statement specimens, these beautiful lavenders will add color, texture, and aroma to your outdoor space while attracting beneficial pollinators throughout the growing season.

English Lavender Varieties (Lavandula angustifolia)

English lavender is the most popular and versatile group, prized for its sweet fragrance and cold hardiness. Despite its name, it's native to the Mediterranean, not England. These varieties typically bloom in early summer and are excellent for culinary use, essential oils, and dried arrangements.

Detailed close-up of English lavender with vibrant purple blooms and slender green stems in a sunny garden. More information

Hidcote

Hidcote is widely considered one of the most beautiful lavender varieties available, featuring intensely deep violet-blue flowers that create a stunning display against its compact, silvery foliage. This variety grows to about 20-24 inches tall and wide, making it perfect for borders, hedges, and container gardens.

Botanical name: Lavandula angustifolia 'Hidcote'
Flower color: Deep violet-blue
Height and spread: 20-24 inches tall and wide
Blooming season: Early to mid-summer
Hardiness zones: 5-9
Special qualities: Intense flower color that holds well when dried

Detailed close-up of Hidcote lavender with deep violet-blue flower spikes on slender green stems in a summer garden border. More information

Munstead

Munstead is a classic beauty that blooms earlier than many other lavenders, producing an abundance of lavender-blue flowers on compact plants. This variety reaches about 12-18 inches in height and width, making it ideal for edging garden paths or creating low hedges. Its smaller size also makes it perfect for container gardening.

Botanical name: Lavandula angustifolia 'Munstead'
Flower color: Lavender-blue
Height and spread: 12-18 inches tall and wide
Blooming season: Late spring to early summer
Hardiness zones: 5-9
Special qualities: Early bloomer with excellent cold hardiness

Detailed close-up of Munstead lavender with soft lavender-blue flowers blooming on slender green stems in early summer sunlight. More information

Jean Davis

For those seeking something different, Jean Davis offers a unique color variation with its delicate pale pink to almost white flowers. This soft-hued variety creates a gentle contrast to the more typical purple lavenders and pairs beautifully with roses and other cottage garden plants. Growing to about 18 inches tall, Jean Davis maintains the sweet fragrance that makes English lavender so beloved.

Botanical name: Lavandula angustifolia 'Jean Davis'
Flower color: Pale pink to white
Height and spread: 18 inches tall, 24 inches wide
Blooming season: Early to mid-summer
Hardiness zones: 5-9
Special qualities: Unique pale pink coloration

Detailed close-up of Jean Davis lavender with soft pale pink to white flowers blooming on slender stems in a sunlit cottage garden. More information

French Lavender Varieties (Lavandula dentata)

French lavender is instantly recognizable by its distinctive toothed leaves (hence "dentata") and showy flowers topped with colorful bracts that resemble rabbit ears. These varieties offer a longer blooming period than English lavenders and thrive in warmer climates. While less cold-hardy, they make excellent container plants that can be moved indoors during winter in colder regions.

Close-up of French lavender with deep purple flower spikes, bright magenta bracts, and distinctive toothed gray-green leaves in a summer garden. More information

Goodwin Creek Grey

Goodwin Creek Grey is a stunning French lavender hybrid with silvery-grey, toothed foliage that creates a beautiful contrast against its deep purple flower spikes. This variety blooms nearly year-round in mild climates and grows to about 24-30 inches tall and wide. Its exceptional heat tolerance makes it perfect for hot, dry garden locations.

Botanical name: Lavandula × ginginsii 'Goodwin Creek Grey'
Flower color: Deep purple
Height and spread: 24-30 inches tall and wide
Blooming season: Spring through fall in mild climates
Hardiness zones: 7-9
Special qualities: Extended blooming period and striking silver foliage

Detailed close-up of Goodwin Creek Grey lavender with soft silvery foliage and deep purple flower spikes in a sunlit garden. More information

Kew Red

Despite its name, Kew Red produces stunning pinkish-purple flowers topped with pale pink bracts, creating a beautiful bicolor effect. This French lavender variety grows to about 24 inches tall and offers a long flowering season from late spring through fall in mild climates. The aromatic foliage has a more resinous scent than English lavenders.

Botanical name: Lavandula stoechas 'Kew Red'
Flower color: Pinkish-purple with pale pink bracts
Height and spread: 24 inches tall and wide
Blooming season: Late spring through fall
Hardiness zones: 8-9
Special qualities: Bicolor flower effect with distinctive bracts

Detailed close-up of Kew Red lavender with deep pinkish-purple flower spikes and delicate pale pink bracts in a sunlit garden. More information

Spanish Lavender Varieties (Lavandula stoechas)

Spanish lavender is immediately recognizable by its distinctive flower heads topped with showy, colorful bracts often called "rabbit ears." These varieties bloom earlier than other lavenders, starting in spring, and offer excellent heat tolerance. While less cold-hardy than English types, they make a dramatic statement in the garden with their unique appearance.

Close-up of Spanish lavender with deep purple flower spikes and distinctive rabbit ear-like pink bracts in a sunny garden. More information

Anouk

Anouk is a compact Spanish lavender that produces an abundance of deep purple flower heads topped with vibrant violet bracts. This early-blooming variety typically flowers from mid-spring and can rebloom throughout the season if deadheaded regularly. Growing to about 24-30 inches tall, Anouk offers exceptional drought tolerance once established.

Botanical name: Lavandula stoechas 'Anouk'
Flower color: Deep purple with violet bracts
Height and spread: 24-30 inches tall, 18-24 inches wide
Blooming season: Mid-spring through summer
Hardiness zones: 7-10
Special qualities: Early bloomer with reblooming capability

Detailed close-up of Anouk Spanish lavender with deep purple flower spikes and vivid violet bracts in a sunlit garden. More information

Ballerina

Ballerina offers a unique color transition, with white bracts that gradually fade to pink and purple as they mature. This color-changing quality creates a beautiful display throughout the growing season. This Spanish lavender blooms as early as May and can produce multiple flushes of flowers through early fall in ideal conditions.

Botanical name: Lavandula stoechas 'Ballerina'
Flower color: White bracts fading to pink and purple
Height and spread: 18-24 inches tall and wide
Blooming season: Late spring through early fall
Hardiness zones: 8-9
Special qualities: Color-changing bracts throughout the season

Detailed close-up of Ballerina Spanish lavender with deep purple flower spikes and white bracts fading to soft pink and purple in a sunlit garden. More information

Comparing Beautiful Lavender Varieties

This comparison table highlights the key differences between our featured lavender varieties to help you choose the perfect plants for your garden conditions and design preferences.

Variety	Type	Flower Color	Height	Hardiness Zones	Bloom Time	Special Features
Hidcote	English	Deep violet-blue	20-24"	5-9	Early-mid summer	Intense color, compact
Munstead	English	Lavender-blue	12-18"	5-9	Late spring-early summer	Early bloomer, cold hardy
Jean Davis	English	Pale pink to white	18"	5-9	Early-mid summer	Unique color, sweet fragrance
Goodwin Creek Grey	French hybrid	Deep purple	24-30"	7-9	Spring through fall	Silver foliage, long bloom
Kew Red	French	Pinkish-purple	24"	8-9	Late spring through fall	Bicolor effect, long bloom
Anouk	Spanish	Deep purple	24-30"	7-10	Mid-spring through summer	Early bloomer, drought tolerant
Ballerina	Spanish	White to pink/purple	18-24"	8-9	Late spring through early fall	Color-changing bracts

Hybrid Lavender Varieties (Lavandula x intermedia)

Hybrid lavenders, also known as lavandins, are crosses between English lavender and spike lavender (Lavandula latifolia). These vigorous plants combine the fragrance of English lavender with the heat tolerance and robust growth of spike lavender. They typically bloom later than English varieties, extending the lavender season in your garden.

Close-up of hybrid lavender with tall slender stems and large vibrant purple flower spikes swaying in a sunlit summer garden. More information

Grosso

Grosso is one of the most impressive hybrid lavenders, producing an abundance of dark purple flower spikes on tall stems. This variety grows to about 30 inches tall and can spread up to 48 inches wide, creating a dramatic presence in the garden. Its high oil content makes it ideal for fragrant dried arrangements and sachets.

Botanical name: Lavandula x intermedia 'Grosso'
Flower color: Dark purple
Height and spread: 30 inches tall, 36-48 inches wide
Blooming season: Mid to late summer
Hardiness zones: 5-8
Special qualities: Large size, high oil content, intense fragrance

Detailed close-up of Grosso hybrid lavender with dark purple flower spikes on tall slender stems in a sunlit garden. More information

Provence

Provence is a classic hybrid lavender with long stems bearing light purple flowers. This variety grows to about 30 inches tall and wide, creating a beautiful mound of fragrant blooms in mid to late summer. Its clean, sweet scent makes it perfect for culinary use and fragrant sachets.

Botanical name: Lavandula x intermedia 'Provence'
Flower color: Light purple
Height and spread: 30 inches tall and wide
Blooming season: Mid to late summer
Hardiness zones: 5-8
Special qualities: Long stems ideal for cutting, sweet fragrance

Detailed close-up of Provence hybrid lavender with soft light purple flowers on long slender stems in a sunlit garden. More information

Phenomenal

Phenomenal is a newer hybrid lavender that lives up to its name with exceptional cold hardiness, heat tolerance, and humidity resistance. This versatile variety produces beautiful violet-blue flower spikes on silvery foliage and grows to about 24-32 inches tall and wide. Its adaptability makes it perfect for challenging garden conditions.

Botanical name: Lavandula x intermedia 'Phenomenal'
Flower color: Violet-blue
Height and spread: 24-32 inches tall and wide
Blooming season: Mid to late summer
Hardiness zones: 5-9
Special qualities: Exceptional adaptability to different climates

Detailed close-up of Phenomenal hybrid lavender with vibrant violet-blue flower spikes and striking silver foliage in a sunlit garden. More information

Planting and Care Guidelines for Beautiful Lavender Varieties

To ensure your lavender plants thrive and display their full beauty, follow these essential care guidelines tailored to these Mediterranean natives. Proper spacing and well-drained soil are essential for healthy, beautiful lavender plants.

Soil Requirements

Lavender thrives in poor to moderately fertile, well-drained soil. Heavy clay soils are the enemy of lavender, causing root rot and plant failure. For best results:

Aim for a soil pH between 6.5 and 8.0 (slightly alkaline)
Amend heavy soils with coarse sand, gravel, or crushed stone to improve drainage
Consider raised beds or mounds in areas with poor drainage
Avoid adding organic matter like compost, which can hold too much moisture
Add a handful of lime to acidic soils to raise the pH

Sunlight and Spacing

All lavender varieties require full sun to thrive and produce abundant flowers. Proper spacing is also crucial for air circulation and plant health:

Plant in locations receiving at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight daily
Space small varieties (like Munstead) 18 inches apart
Space medium varieties (like Hidcote) 24 inches apart
Space large varieties (like Grosso) 36 inches apart
Allow extra space in humid climates to promote air circulation

Well-maintained lavender garden with evenly spaced plants, neat mulching, and vibrant purple blooms on a sunny summer day. More information

Watering Schedule

Lavender is drought-tolerant once established, but proper watering during the establishment phase is crucial:

Water deeply but infrequently during the first growing season
Allow soil to dry out between waterings
Reduce watering in fall and winter to prevent root rot
Avoid overhead watering, which can promote fungal diseases
Water at the base of plants, keeping foliage dry

Pruning Techniques

Proper pruning is essential for maintaining beautiful, long-lived lavender plants:

Prune English and hybrid lavenders after the first flowering
Cut back by about one-third of the plant's height
Never cut into old, woody stems, which won't regrow
Prune French and Spanish lavenders more lightly, removing spent flowers
Avoid heavy pruning in fall in cold climates

Close-up of a gardener pruning a lavender plant with shears just above the woody growth in a sunny garden. More information

Companion Planting

Enhance your garden design by pairing lavender with compatible plants that share similar growing requirements:

Roses - classic companions that benefit from lavender's pest-repelling properties
Echinacea (coneflower) - drought-tolerant perennials with complementary colors
Sedum - succulent perennials that thrive in the same dry conditions
Salvia - another Mediterranean herb with similar needs
Ornamental grasses - create textural contrast with lavender's form

Designing with Beautiful Lavender Varieties

Lavender's versatility makes it a valuable addition to many garden styles. Here are some inspiring ways to incorporate these beautiful varieties into your landscape design.

A lavender garden with dense purple blooms, curving stone paths, and bright summer sunlight. More information

Border Plantings

Lavender makes an excellent border plant, defining garden edges with color and fragrance:

Use compact varieties like Munstead or Hidcote for formal borders
Plant in groups of 3-5 for visual impact
Create a color progression by planting different varieties together
Edge pathways with lavender to release fragrance when brushed against
Combine with other Mediterranean herbs like rosemary and thyme

Garden scene with rows of blooming lavender along a sandy path, surrounded by a lush green lawn and bright yellow and white flowers. More information

Container Gardening

Lavender thrives in containers, making it accessible even for gardeners with limited space:

Choose terracotta or clay pots that allow soil to dry out between waterings
Ensure containers have ample drainage holes
Use a fast-draining potting mix with added perlite or coarse sand
Select compact varieties like Munstead or French lavenders for containers
Move containers to protected areas in winter in cold climates

Several lavender plants in full bloom growing in terracotta pots lined up on a sunny balcony with vibrant purple flowers and green foliage. More information

Fragrance Gardens

Create a sensory experience by designing a garden that highlights lavender's intoxicating scent:

Plant lavender near seating areas where fragrance can be enjoyed
Combine different varieties for a progression of blooms throughout the season
Place along walkways where foliage will release scent when brushed
Pair with other fragrant plants like roses, lilies, and herbs
Include English varieties like Hidcote and Munstead for the sweetest fragrance

A beautifully landscaped garden with rows of blooming lavender, a white wooden bench, and colorful flower beds of pink, white, and yellow blossoms in bright summer sunlight. More information

Conclusion

The world of lavender offers an incredible array of beautiful varieties to enhance any garden. From the classic English lavenders with their sweet fragrance and culinary uses to the showy Spanish types with their distinctive "rabbit ears" and the robust hybrid lavandins with their impressive size, there's a perfect lavender for every garden style and climate.

By selecting varieties that match your growing conditions and following proper planting and care guidelines, you can enjoy these Mediterranean beauties for many years. Whether you're creating a formal herb garden, a cottage garden border, or simply adding fragrant plants to your landscape, these beautiful lavender varieties will reward you with stunning blooms, intoxicating scent, and the delightful buzz of visiting pollinators throughout the growing season.

Remember that lavender appreciates benign neglect rather than excessive care. By providing excellent drainage, full sun, and proper pruning, you'll create the conditions for these remarkable plants to thrive and display their full beauty in your garden. Happy planting!