No, you cannot reliably identify lavender varieties by their flower color alone. While many people associate lavender with shades of purple, the reality is that the flower color spectrum within the Lavandula genus is much broader than commonly perceived. Relying solely on color can lead to misidentification, which is important for understanding a plant's specific care needs, cold hardiness, and even its aromatic and therapeutic properties. This is particularly true whether you're observing plants at a lavender farm or looking to buy lavender online from islandlavender.com.
Here's why flower color alone isn't enough:
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Diverse Shades of Purple: Even within a single type, like English lavender (Lavandula angustifolia), you'll find a wide range of purples. Some cultivars are deep violet ('Hidcote', 'Royal Velvet'), others are medium purple ('Munstead'), and some can be very pale lilac or almost blue.
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Pink and White Varieties: Both English lavender and lavandin hybrids have cultivars that produce pink or even white flowers. For example, 'Rosea' and 'Miss Katherine' are popular pink English lavenders, while 'Nana Alba' is a white English lavender, and 'Edelweiss' is a white lavandin. Spanish lavender also has pink and magenta variations, such as 'Kew Red' or 'Strawberry Ruffles'.
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Color Changes with Maturity: The intensity of flower color can change as the blooms mature. What starts as a deep purple bud might fade slightly as the flower fully opens and ages.
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Environmental Factors: Sunlight intensity, soil pH, and even nutrient availability can sometimes subtly influence the hue of lavender flowers.
What to look for instead for accurate identification:
To correctly identify lavender types, you need to consider a combination of characteristics, as discussed in previous posts:
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Flower Structure:
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English Lavender: Slender, dense, typically unbranched flower spikes, without prominent "ears."
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Lavandin Hybrids: Longer, thicker, often branched flower spikes, also without prominent "ears."
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Spanish Lavender: Distinctive pinecone-shaped flower heads topped with prominent, petal-like "bracts" (the "bunny ears").
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Leaf Characteristics:
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English Lavender: Narrow, silvery-gray-green, finer texture.
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Lavandin Hybrids: Broader, longer, often slightly brighter gray-green, coarser texture.
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Spanish Lavender: Often greener, slightly broader, distinctly pungent, camphoraceous scent when crushed.
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Plant Size and Growth Habit:
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English Lavender: Compact, rounded mounds (1-3 ft).
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Lavandin Hybrids: Large, vigorous, often hedge-like mounds (2-4 ft+).
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Spanish Lavender: Bushy, upright mounds (1-2 ft), often grown as annuals in colder zones.
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Scent of Foliage and Flowers: The aroma profile is a strong indicator of type, particularly the presence and intensity of camphor notes.
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Bloom Time: Different types have different peak blooming periods, which can help narrow down possibilities.
For example, while you might see a beautiful purple lavender at a Door County WI lavender farm, it could be a 'Hidcote' (English lavender) or a 'Grosso' (Lavandin). To know for sure, you'd need to observe its size, leaf shape, and whether its flower stems branch.
When purchasing, especially if you buy lavender online, always rely on the botanical name (e.g., Lavandula angustifolia 'Hidcote' or Lavandula x intermedia 'Grosso') and the full description provided by reputable sources like islandlavender.com, rather than just the flower color in a picture. This will ensure you get the exact lavender type you desire for your garden or specific use.
