When it comes to outdoor gardening, lavender is a beloved choice for its stunning purple blooms, intoxicating fragrance, and ability to attract pollinators. The most popular lavender varieties for outdoor cultivation are those that are robust, relatively easy to grow in appropriate climates, and offer significant visual or aromatic appeal. The best choice often depends on your specific climate zone, the desired size of the plant, and how you intend to use it in your landscape.
Here are the most popular lavender varieties for outdoor planting:
1. English Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia): This is arguably the most iconic and widely planted type of lavender in temperate climates. It's cherished for its sweet, traditional lavender fragrance, often considered the "true" lavender scent. English lavenders are known for their excellent cold hardiness, making them suitable for a wide range of outdoor gardens (typically USDA Zones 5-9, sometimes 4 with protection). They form neat, compact shrubs and are ideal for borders, hedges, and culinary use.
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'Munstead': This is a timeless favorite, incredibly popular due to its reliability, robust nature, and classic beauty. 'Munstead' forms a tidy, compact mound, typically reaching 18-24 inches tall and wide, and produces an abundance of fragrant violet-blue flowers. It is very cold-hardy and adaptable.
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'Hidcote': Another immensely popular English lavender, 'Hidcote' is famous for its very deep, rich purple flowers and a dense, compact growth habit, usually staying around 18 inches. Its intense color and strong, classic lavender scent make it a standout for formal gardens or edging.
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'Phenomenal': This is a newer, highly successful English lavender cultivar known for its exceptional vigor and broader adaptability. It boasts remarkable cold hardiness (down to Zone 4) and improved tolerance to heat and humidity compared to older English varieties. 'Phenomenal' grows larger, typically 24-36 inches tall and wide, with dense, silvery foliage and beautiful purple flower spikes, making it a robust choice for a wider range of outdoor climates.
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'Lavender Lady': Often chosen for its ability to bloom in its first year from seed, 'Lavender Lady' is a compact English lavender with a beautiful purple color and traditional fragrance. It's a good option for gardeners looking for quick establishment.
2. Lavandin (Lavandula x intermedia): These are hybrids resulting from a cross between English lavender and spike lavender. Lavandins are characterized by their larger size, robust growth, and generally higher essential oil content, making them very popular for commercial cultivation and larger landscape plantings. They tend to be more tolerant of heat and drought than pure English lavenders and typically bloom later, from mid-summer into late summer. They are often hardy in USDA Zones 5-9.
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'Grosso': This is arguably the most famous and widely planted lavandin, particularly for its use in essential oil production and as a cut flower. 'Grosso' is a large, vigorous plant, growing 30-36 inches tall and wide, producing long, dark violet flower spikes on sturdy stems. Its strong, camphoraceous fragrance is distinct. It creates a striking presence in the landscape.
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'Provence': A highly regarded lavandin, 'Provence' offers elegant, long stems and abundant, fragrant purple flowers, making it a favorite for cutting and drying. It grows into a substantial shrub, typically 30-36 inches tall, and thrives in sunny, well-drained locations.
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'Dutch': A very hardy and robust lavandin, 'Dutch' is known for its large size, abundant blooms, and strong, sweet fragrance with a hint of camphor. It makes an excellent large hedge or border plant.
3. Spanish Lavender (Lavandula stoechas): Spanish lavender is easily identified by its distinctive "bunny ear" bracts atop its compact, pinecone-shaped flower heads. It is particularly well-suited to warmer climates (USDA Zones 7-10) and is more tolerant of heat and humidity than English varieties. It often blooms earlier and can have a very long bloom period with repeat flushes.
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'Anouk': A popular Spanish lavender with deep plum flowers topped by vibrant violet-blue bracts. It has a tidy, compact habit and is known for its ability to rebloom, providing color for an extended season.
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'Silver Anouk': Similar to 'Anouk' but features striking silvery foliage that beautifully contrasts with its fragrant lilac flowers. Its unique appearance makes it an attractive choice for outdoor containers or garden beds in warmer regions.
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'Ballerina': This variety stands out with plump purple flower heads adorned with delicate white bracts that subtly fade to pink and purple as they mature, offering a unique color display.
Key Considerations for Outdoor Lavender:
Regardless of the variety, all lavenders thrive outdoors with certain conditions: full sun (at least 6-8 hours daily), excellent drainage (they hate wet feet), and good air circulation. They prefer lean, somewhat alkaline soil and generally do not require rich soil or heavy fertilization. Proper pruning is also essential for maintaining shape and encouraging abundant blooms year after year.