English and French lavenders behave quite differently in cold climates due to their varying levels of cold hardiness. This is the single most important distinction when growing them in regions with harsh winters.
Here's a breakdown of their differences when considering cold climates:
English Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) in Cold Climates
Key Characteristics for Cold Climates:
-
Cold Hardiness (Major Advantage): This is the most cold-hardy species of lavender. Many English lavender cultivars can reliably survive outdoor winters down to USDA Zone 5, and some even to Zone 4 (especially with good snow cover or winter protection). This means they are the most common and successful type of lavender for permanent outdoor planting in regions with cold winters.
-
Winter Appearance: In cold climates, English lavender typically remains mostly evergreen, though its foliage might turn a duller gray-green or brownish during the coldest months. It's resilient and bounces back in spring.
-
Growth Habit & Size: Forms a neat, compact, mounding shrub, typically 1.5 to 2.5 feet tall and wide. Its relatively smaller size helps it shed snow and makes it easier to protect if needed.
-
Foliage: Leaves are narrow, long, and have smooth, untoothed edges. They are typically grayish-green.
-
Flowers: Flower spikes are short and plump, on relatively short stems. No large "bunny ears."
-
Scent: The classic, sweet, purely floral scent with very low camphor. This is generally unaffected by cold, though the plant's growth slows.
-
Best Use in Cold Climates: Permanent garden beds, borders, low hedges, and rock gardens where winter survival is key.
Examples of Cold-Hardy English Lavender Cultivars:
-
'Munstead': Very reliable and widely planted in cold zones.
-
'Hidcote': Another excellent, very cold-hardy choice.
-
'Phenomenal': Known for exceptional cold hardiness (down to Zone 4) and improved vigor.
-
'Lavender Lady': Good for starting from seed in colder regions.
French Lavender (Lavandula dentata) in Cold Climates
Key Characteristics for Cold Climates:
-
Cold Hardiness (Major Disadvantage): French lavender is much less cold-hardy. It is typically only reliably hardy to USDA Zones 8-10. This means it will not survive outdoor winters in most cold climates (Zone 7 and colder) unless given significant protection or brought indoors.
-
Winter Appearance: If left outdoors in freezing temperatures, French lavender will quickly suffer frost damage, turn brown, and likely die.
-
Growth Habit & Size: Tends to be a larger, more sprawling plant (typically 2 to 3 feet tall and wide). This size can make it cumbersome to bring indoors for winter if grown in a large container.
-
Foliage: The most distinct visual identifier: the leaves have visibly toothed or serrated edges. They are typically green to grayish-green.
-
Flowers: Slender flower spikes topped with small, wispy bracts (not prominent "bunny ears").
-
Scent: Stronger, more herbaceous, often slightly rosemary-like or camphoraceous scent.
-
Best Use in Cold Climates:
-
Annuals: Often grown as annuals, where they are enjoyed for one season and then replaced.
-
Container Plants: Can be grown in containers and then moved indoors to a bright, cool (but frost-free) location for the winter, acting more like a tender perennial or houseplant. They are not suited for permanent outdoor planting in cold zones.
-