The diverse world of lavender offers a fascinating array of flower spike shapes and sizes, providing key visual cues for identifying different types. These floral distinctions are a primary way to tell apart Lavandula angustifolia (English lavender), Lavandula x intermedia (lavandin), Lavandula stoechas (Spanish/French lavender), and Lavandula latifolia (spike lavender). Understanding these differences is invaluable whether you're admiring a vibrant display at a lavender farm or looking to buy lavender online from islandlavender.com.
Let's compare the flower spikes:
1. English Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) – The Classic "Pencil" or "Bottle Brush"
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Shape: English lavender produces slender, typically unbranched flower spikes that are often described as cylindrical, like a pencil, or resembling a bottle brush. The small, individual flowers are tightly clustered along the stem, creating a dense, compact column of color.
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Size: The spikes are generally shorter and more delicate compared to lavandins. They typically range from 2 to 6 inches in length, depending on the specific cultivar. The stems supporting these spikes are usually relatively short and less robust, leading to a more refined and often lower-profile bloom display.
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Appearance: They present a classic, elegant look, with the flowers appearing to hug the central stem. There are no prominent "ears" or specialized bracts at the top of the spike.
2. Lavandin Hybrids (Lavandula x intermedia) – The "Fat Spike" or "Branched Bloom"
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Shape: Lavandin spikes are notably longer, thicker, and more robust than English lavender. A key distinguishing feature is that lavandin flower stems often branch into multiple flower heads from the main stalk, creating a much fuller and denser bloom. This branching habit contributes significantly to their high essential oil yield.
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Size: These spikes are substantially larger, often reaching 6 to 12 inches or more in length. They are held on long, sturdy stems that rise well above the foliage, making them ideal for cutting and large-scale harvesting.
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Appearance: Their substantial size and often conical shape give them a more imposing presence in the garden. They resemble an "English lavender on steroids," as some describe them.
3. Spanish/French Lavender (Lavandula stoechas) – The "Pinecone with Ears"
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Shape: This type has the most unique flower spike. It forms a short, dense, and stout structure often described as pinecone-shaped, pineapple-shaped, or barrel-shaped. What truly sets it apart are the prominent, petal-like bracts (often called "bunny ears," "butterfly wings," or "flags") that emerge conspicuously from the very top of this compact flower head.
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Size: The main flower head (the "pinecone" part) is relatively short, typically 1 to 2 inches long, but the showy bracts can extend another 1 inch or more above it. The overall spike, including the bracts, is often shorter than English or lavandin types, but its unique shape makes it highly visible.
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Appearance: The "ears" are often a different color than the main flower head, creating a striking bicolor effect. The actual tiny flowers are packed within the pinecone structure and are much less noticeable than the decorative bracts.
4. Spike Lavender (Lavandula latifolia) – The "Aspic" or "Broad-Leaved" Spike
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Shape: Similar to lavandin (its hybrid offspring), spike lavender often has branched flower stems with multiple clusters of flowers. The individual flower spikes tend to be somewhat looser and less densely packed than English lavender.
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Size: The flower stems can be quite tall, reaching 2 to 3 feet or more, holding the blooms prominently above the foliage. The individual spikes are moderately sized, longer than English lavender but generally not as massive or densely conical as many lavandins.
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Appearance: Its overall bloom display is robust but can sometimes appear a bit more open or lanky compared to the compact forms of English lavender or the dense hedges of lavandin.
When you're visiting a lavender farm in Door County WI, take a moment to observe these floral distinctions. The graceful spikes of English lavender, the commanding presence of lavandin's large, often branched blooms, and the unmistakable "bunny ears" of Spanish lavender all tell a unique story about the variety. This visual identification, alongside leaf characteristics and scent, is the most accurate way to choose the perfect lavender when you decide to buy lavender online from a trusted source like islandlavender.com.
