How can you tell the difference between English and French lavender?

French lavender is large and will grow from about two to three feet (60-90 cm.) tall and wide, while English lavender stays much smaller and more compact, although it may grow up to two feet (60 cm.). Bloom time. The flowers on these plants are similar in size, but they last much longer on French lavender.

Considering this, how do I identify English lavender?

Simply use your nose and eyes to identify lavender plants. Identify English lavender (L. angustifolia) by its sweeter fragrance with less of a camphor odor. You can also identify English lavender by its bloom period, which begins in early summer.

One may also ask, which lavender plant has the strongest scent? The most fragrant Lavender plants are the Lavandin (Lavandula x intermedia). Several cultivars of English Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) are also prized for their delightful scent. Lavandula x intermedia, also called Lavandin, is a hybrid cross between Lavandula angustifolia and Lavandula latifolia.

what does French lavender look like?

French lavender pairs pretty, toothed, gray-green leaves with traditional purple lavender-style blooms. It's known botanically as Lavandula dentata. The dentata part of the name is a Latin way of referring to teeth, which describes the edges of the leaves—they look like something took a bite out of them.

Can you eat French lavender?

All types of lavender are safe to eat, including French lavender. If you plan to cook with lavender, purchase culinary grade lavender if you aren't growing it yourself. You can use dry or fresh lavender in cooking, but use moderate amounts so the flavor doesn't overpower the dish.

What is the hardiest lavender?

Types of Lavender Hardy in Zone 5 The first type is the hardiest, English Lavender, or Lavandula angustifolia. This is the true lavender, and generally produces flowers earlier, on shorter stems. The English lavender produces a slightly sweeter smelling flower with less camphor in its essential oils.

What color is lavender?

purple

Why is my lavender turning brown?

Root Rot. Root rot occurs when lavender is planted in poorly drained soil. The soggy soils encourage growth of fungi, which choke off the roots. Symptoms include a general wilting of the entire plant with the leaves and any blooming flowers starting to show brownish areas.

Can you cut lavender right down?

You do need to cut just above those tiny shoots at the bottom of the stem because if you cut the lavender down below them, it won't regenerate.

What is the largest lavender plant?

Lavandula x intermedia 'Grappenhall' Counted among the largest lavender plants, it produces highly fragrant light blue flowers, blooming from mid-summer to early fall.

How does a lavender plant look like?

Lavender is a small shrub that usually grows 20 to 24 inches tall and wide. The height includes the flower stalks, so when not in bloom, the foliage may be only a foot tall. The plant does not spread as thyme, oregano, and other herbs tend to.

How often should lavender be watered?

Keep the mulch away from the crown of the lavender plant. Water once or twice a week after planting until plants are established. Water mature plants every two to three weeks until buds form, then once or twice weekly until harvest.

Can you eat lavender leaves?

As a member of the same family as many of our most popular herbs, it is not surprising that lavender is edible and that it's use in food preparation is also returning. Flowers and leaves can be used fresh, and both buds and stems can be used dried.

Should I deadhead French lavender?

Lavenders thrive if pruned back fairly hard but never cut back into old wood as most lavender plants won't re-grow from this. Dead-head French lavenders throughout the summer as they'll flower continuously from May to September. Deadheading will also encourage more flowering through the season.

Should I cut back French lavender?

Pruning French lavender is possible, but must be exclusively performed on growth that still bears leaves. If you prune dry wood, it won't grow back… At the end of winter, prune as you wish, but follow the rounded shape of the plant. Avoid cutting off old growth, because those branches rarely send out new shoots.

Why isn't my French lavender flowering?

If your lavender doesn't thrive, it's most likely due to overwatering, too much shade, and high humidity levels. English lavenders and their hybrids are the best varieties for cooler climates, since they are cold hardy north to Zone 5.

What is French lavender used for?

French lavender is a common essential oil used in products such as lotions, deodorants, and cosmetics as well as in massages and aromatherapy. It provides a very calming sensation to relax the mind and the body, and even has various healing properties that to this day are still being discovered.

How do you revive a French lavender plant?

Spread 1/4 pound of 10-10-10 fertilizer for every 25 square feet around your lavender plants and water it in with 1 inch of water.
Improve air circulation and sunlight by pruning nearby plants and trees and by removing debris around your lavender plants, which require air circulation and full sunlight to thrive.

How long does French lavender live?

Stoechas lavenders, also known as French or Spanish lavenders, are more and more widely available in the UK. They're less hardy than English lavender (Lavandula angustifola) and they don't have as long lifespans, often living for just five years or so, but you can take cuttings to keep your plant going.

How long does French lavender flower for?

Late Spring and Early Summer Blooming Lavenders Most mid-season blooming Lavenders belong to the Lavandula angustifolia (English Lavender) group. Flowering typically occurs in June or July and tends to last 3-4 weeks.

Should you cover lavender in winter?

If you live where subfreezing winter temperatures are common, it's helpful to cover your lavender plants with evergreen boughs once you've had your first frost and the ground is cold. The covering also provides protection from cold winter winds that can dry out the plants and cause die-back of stems.

What is the prettiest lavender?

Lavandula angustifolia 'Hidcote' 'Hidcote' is one of the best known of all lavender varieties, for good reason. It's a compact variety of English lavender with mid-purple flowers and is ideal for planting in borders or as dwarf hedging.

Can I freeze lavender?

Can lavender be freeze-dried to preserve the vibrant color and fresh look? Simply freeze the flowers (having removed flowers from stems; no need to dry them first) open on a tray, then pack in small airtight containers and store in the freezer.

What is the easiest lavender to grow?

Wooly lavender (Lavandula lanata), which grows in USDA zones 8 through 11, works well as a shrub, growing up to 3 feet tall, and produces a spectacular fragrance. A good choice for culinary use is "Munstead" lavender (Lavandula angustifolia "Munstead"), which grows in USDA zones 5 through 10.