In cold climates (generally USDA Zones 3-5), the most important factor for strong-smelling lavender is selecting varieties that can actually survive the harsh winters. Many highly fragrant lavenders, particularly some of the more tender Lavandins, won't reliably overwinter in deep freezes.
Your best bets for strong-smelling lavender in cold climates come from two main groups:
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Hardy Lavandins (Lavandula x intermedia): These hybrids are generally known for their most potent and robust fragrance, often with a more pronounced camphorous (herbaceous, slightly medicinal) note. They tend to be larger plants and produce a lot of fragrant flowers, which can really fill the air. While many lavandins are hardy to Zone 5, some are specifically bred for even colder tolerance.
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'Phenomenal': This is widely considered the top choice for cold climates (reliably hardy to Zone 4, and sometimes even into Zone 3 with good protection). It's renowned for its excellent cold hardiness, strong fragrance, and resilience. If you want a bold, robust lavender scent that can survive cold winters, 'Phenomenal' is your best bet.
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'Grosso': A very popular lavandin known for its exceptionally strong, bold, and camphorous fragrance. It's typically hardy to Zone 5, but with proper winterization (good drainage, mulching), it can often succeed in Zone 4.
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English Lavenders (Lavandula angustifolia): These are generally the most cold-hardy type of lavender. Their scent is typically sweeter, more purely floral, and less camphorous than lavandins. While their individual scent might be slightly less pungent than a 'Grosso', when planted in groups, their combined fragrance can be very noticeable and delightful. Many English varieties are reliably hardy in Zones 3-5.
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'Munstead': This is consistently recognized as one of the most cold-hardy English lavenders, with reports of it surviving down to Zone 3 with good snow cover. It produces a strong, sweet, and classic lavender fragrance. It's also compact and a reliable bloomer.
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'Hidcote': Another excellent and very cold-hardy English lavender (Zone 4-5). It boasts a rich, sweet, and strong fragrance and has beautiful dark purple flowers. It's a very popular and dependable choice for colder regions.
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'Royal Velvet': This variety is hardy to Zone 5 and offers a strong, sweet scent with beautiful deep purple flowers. It's well-regarded for both its visual appeal and its aroma.
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Summary for Cold Climates:
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For the absolute strongest, most robust (and likely camphorous) scent that can withstand cold, your top choice is 'Phenomenal' (a lavandin).
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For a strong, sweeter, and more purely floral lavender scent with maximum cold hardiness and reliability, 'Munstead' or 'Hidcote' (English lavenders) are excellent choices.
Regardless of the variety you choose, remember that proper planting (full sun, excellent drainage) and appropriate winterization techniques (like applying well-draining mulch in late fall and avoiding heavy fall pruning) are crucial for lavender to survive and provide a strong scent in cold climates.