Lavandulais a genus in the mint class that moderate 41 recognised metal money . And this might be daunting when selecting the variety of lavender that best suits your garden , because there are so many options .
This flora species breakdown will focus on two of the most common selections from the genus , French ( L. dentata ) and English ( L. angustifolia ) .
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Lavandulaherbs boast many uses , and thanks to the broad chain of species and cultivars useable , they are consummate for a compass of garden designs .
To learn more about adding these fragrant perennial to your landscape or garden , check out outour guide on how to grow lavender .
L. dentataandL. angustifoliadiffer in visual aspect , so once you be intimate what to look for , it will be easy to separate between the two .
First , I ’ll play up the feature of speech of each , and then I ’ll explain their difference and best usage .
French vs. English Lavender: What’s the Difference?
French Lavender
The French type , L. dentata , is also commonly lie with as laciniate lavender .
This refers to the shape of its farewell , which have toothed edges . Dentatais a Latin Good Book that translate to “ toothed ” in English .
L. dentataenjoys fond climate and is audacious in zone 8 through 10 , where plants can reach four feet in width and an adequate superlative .
This species has grizzly - green foliage and pretty wan regal flowers that have a long bloom time .
The species may be fuddle forL. stoechassince both are sometimes referred to commonly as French lavender , though this is more typical in the UK .
L. dentatais aboriginal to southwest Asia , North Africa , and the Mediterranean region . L. stoechas , aka topped or Spanish lavender in the US , is aboriginal to the Mediterranean part .
English Lavender
The English character , L. angustifolia , was formerly sort asL. officinalis .
ThisLavandulaspecies is also jazz as common lavender , or it may be refer to as narrow - impart lavender because of its elongated and minute leaves , as suggested by the specific epithet “ angustifolia . ”
Despite its most prevalent mutual name , this redolent herb is not aboriginal to England . The perennial shrub is aboriginal to Spain , France , Italy , and the Balkan region . It ’s hardy in Zones 5 through 10 .
Like many other types , the English varietythrives in well - enfeeble land .
However , this mintage ’ flower production will slow when temperatures increase , and it prefers humbled humidity level . The shrub can arise up to eight feet in width and six foot in height .
Notable Differences
Both species thrivewhen the weather condition is warm , but the English type is moth-eaten stout , and can tolerate frosts . The French variety needs to be bestow indoors to survive cold winters , or it may be grown as an annual .
English lavender want more space to grow , while the Gallic case is compact and can be grown in containers .
Aside from the difference in their mature size , the leaves and prime of these mintage help gardeners to tell them aside .
L. angustifoliahas strobile - forge inflorescences that are larger at the bottom , with no bract at the tip . The leaf is drear - green and can appear to have a silver-tongued shininess .
L. dentatahas elongate inflorescences that have poor bract at the summit . Their gray - unripe leaf are fishgig - influence with toothed edges and they have a slimly wooly texture .
Both species ’ flower heads are near the same size , ranging from one to three inches .
Best Uses
French lavender is a popular decorative perennial in warmer climates , where it ’s often implant in hedges and can be found frequently in commercial-grade landscape gardening designs . L. dentataisalso fitting for use in container gardens , thanks to its compact sizing .
The bloom of the Gallic character do n’t offer as much essential fossil oil as those of the English variety , but their leaves make up for what the flower miss in aroma . The Gallic specie is usually used in drawer sachets , soaps , and smorgasbord mixes .
English lavender is a democratic selection for herbal garden . Because of the intense aroma exuded by the blossom and leave , this species and its cultivar are grow primarily for substantive oil production in commercial functioning .
In addition , the herbaceous plant is used in many culinary dishes , beverages , and herbal remedies , as well as aromatherapy .
A recent taxonomic review and meta - analytic thinking publish in the journalComplementary Therapies in Medicineaimed to assess the ability ofL.angustifoliato contract stress .
It reason out that lavender can importantly reduce tension , and usage of the herbaceous plant may be consider as part of a stress direction program .
The strong , long stems of this metal money make them complete for dried bouquets . I place mine in vases like this matte hand - painted terra cotta onefrom Terrain , useable in black or white .
Matte Terra Cotta Bud Vase
They make a subtle statement in my living space while meet the melodic line with their refreshing scent .
Superb Scented Garden Selections
No scented garden is unadulterated withoutLavandula ! Both of the coinage covered here provide a comforting and rich fragrance .
Various types of lavender are raise in my Zone 10 garden , and the English smorgasbord is a raw material in my pill roller and kitchen . Life with this herbaceous plant nearby is a balm !
Even when I ’m not cutting flowers , I delight confabulate the garden and prevail my hand through the blossom , fore , and leaves to experience their scent , which help to simmer down my head .
athirst for more?Learn more about lavenderin these guides next :
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Kat Sanchez
