English lavender has long been a beloved member of the garden for its aroma and utilities.
In this article, we’ll discuss the characteristics, care, and uses of English lavender.
Included in this complete guide is an extensive list of the various cultivars of English lavender.
What Is Special About English Lavender?
English lavender is unique for several reasons.
The most prominent reason being its incredible fragrance.
Its calming aroma makes English lavender popular as not only an ornamental plant, but as a crucial ingredient in aromatherapy.
Part of what makes this type of lavender so potent is its high oil content.
Aside from its aroma, English lavender is beloved by horticulturists for its resilience in the garden and ability to adapt to difficult growing conditions.
It is capable of growing in a variety of conditions, from droughty to shady to frigid and nearly everything in between.
Is English Lavender A Perennial?
Yes, English lavender is a perennial plant.
A perennial is a plant that lives for several years, enters a period of dormancy during the winter, and then grows and blooms again in the spring and summer.
With English lavender, you can expect it to continue to grow and produce flowers year after year under suitable growing conditions.
Being a perennial adds to its appeal for gardeners due to its reliable blooms through the years.
Where Does English Lavender Grow Best?
English lavender grows best in a location that has full sun and well-draining soil with slightly acidic to neutral pH levels (6.5 to 7.5).
USDA hardiness zones that are best suited for English lavender range from 5 to 10.
On the contrary, this type of lavender does not grow well in overly wet climates and waterlogged soil.
It is a drought-tolerant plant with a preference for drier air and soil conditions.
English Lavender Fragrances
English lavender’s scent is noted for its blend of floral and herbaceous aromas.
The scent often evokes a sense of relaxation and calmness.
The flowers of the English lavender plant are often dried and placed around the home not just for its delicate beauty, but for its delightful aroma.
With its lovely scent, it’s no secret that English lavenders are one of the most popular choices when it comes to essential oils and perfume.
Lavender has long been used by aromatherapists due to its calming yet uplifting effects on the body.
English Lavender Care
Caring for English lavender is easy and straightforward.
Here are some key tips to successfully grow an abundance of English lavender.
Sunlight & Climate
English lavender thrives in a location that receives ample sunlight.
We recommend giving your plants at least 6 to 8 hours of direct light per day.
It is worth noting that some varieties of English lavender are capable of growing in partial shade conditions, though full sun is ideal for your plant to reach its full potential.
Despite its name, English lavender is native to the Mediterranean region. Their preferred climate is one with warm, dry summers and mild to moderate winters.
However, even if you don’t live in the Mediterranean, English lavender is a hardy plant that is adaptable to a wide range of climates.
Watering
An established English lavender plant is incredibly drought-tolerant and can withstand periods without water.
A good rule of thumb is to allow the soil to nearly dry before rewetting the soil.
If you notice signs of drooping or a shriveled appearance, it can be an indicator that your lavender is dry and needs rehydrating.
A juvenile English lavender plant will need more consistent watering, however.
If your lavender is still new and establishing itself, we suggest watering when the first couple of inches of soil have dried.
Soil
Plant your English lavender in a soil that is well-draining.
A well-draining soil is essential to keeping your lavender plants adequately moist while draining out the excess water and preventing the soil from becoming waterlogged.
As we’ve discussed before, English lavender prefers drier conditions, therefore well-draining soil is a must-have.
If the soil in your garden bed is too heavy and drains slowly, then properly amending your soil can help increase the water flow.
Try amending heavy soils with organic matter.
For container lavender plants, perlite or vermiculite will help break apart compacted clay and add better drainage.
Fertilizer
It is important to avoid over-fertilizing your English lavender as it does not require many nutrients to produce flowers.
We suggest sparingly feeding your lavender with a slow-release fertilizer in spring.
Be sure to use a fertilizer with a balanced NPK ratio.
Refrain from fertilizers that are higher in nitrogen. Nitrogen is useful in producing leafy green foliage, but will greatly hinder your plants’ ability to produce lush flowers.
Mulching & Overwintering
English lavender does have a preference for warmer climates due to its Mediterranean origin.
However, this hardy plant is capable of living a long, fruitful life in cold regions with some small adjustments.
One of the main ways gardeners help protect their English lavender during the winter months is by mulching.
Mulching is a care method that involves placing a protective barrier over the soil surrounding your plant.
By adding a protective layer of mulch, your lavender will help retain moisture and stabilize temperatures when the seasons change.
Opt for an organic mulch such as bark, pine needles, or wood chips.
When To Harvest Lavender
The ideal time to harvest your English lavender is when the flowers have fully opened but not yet faded; the color is most vibrant during this time.
Additionally, you should harvest it in the morning.
The morning is when the natural oils are at their peak.
How To Prune English Lavender
Pruning lavender is necessary to maintain its shape and encourage healthy growth.
The goal of pruning English lavender is to maintain a compact and rounded shape.
Here are some tips to prune English lavender:
- Cut back about one-third of the plant.
Using your shears, make the cut just above a set of healthy leaves; this will encourage bushier growth and prevent the branches from looking leggy and sparse.
- Avoid cutting into the woody stems while shaping the plant.
These stems are more mature and will have a harder time regenerating after being pruned. Instead, we suggest focusing on the newer, green growth.
- Cut any old, diseased, or unproductive stems.
If the stems have become woody and have not yielded flowers in an entire growing season, it is best to prune these parts of the plant. Doing so will help increase air circulation as well as promote new growth.
- Deadhead your lavender regularly by trimming spent blooms as they begin to wilt.
This will not only maintain a neat appearance but will also encourage the plant to produce more flowers.
When Should You Prune English Lavender?
The best time to prune English lavender is in the late spring to early summer.
This is around the time new growth begins to come in.
Please refrain from pruning in the fall and winter in order to avoid possible winter damage.
Throughout the season, the only pruning you should do is deadheading spent blooms.
10 English Lavender Varieties
1. ASHDOWN FOREST LAVENDER
| Description: |
| Medium green stems grow up to 60 cm tall with a bushy growth habit. Produces violet-blue flowers. |
| Growing conditions: |
| Can be planted in full sun to partial shade. Tolerant of drought. Compatible with containers. |
| Uses: |
| Used as an ornamental, hedging, container. Flowers can be dried and used for decoration. |
2. BACKHOUSE PURPLE LAVENDER
| Description: |
| Grows upright up to 70 cm tall with a bushy growth habit. Stems and leaves are medium green with violet-blue flowers. |
| Growing conditions: |
| Grows best under full sun. Plant in a well-draining soil (light loamy or loamy clay). |
| Uses: |
| Used for hedging or ornamental use. |
3. BETTY’S BLUE LAVENDER
| Description: |
| Grows up to 75 cm tall with violet and dark purple flowers. Stems are medium green in color. |
| Growing conditions: |
| Grows best in full sun with well-draining soil. Opt for light or loamy clay soil. |
| Uses: |
| Both fresh and dried flowers can be used for decorative purposes. In the garden, it is used as an ornamental garden plant and a low hedge. |
4. BLUE ICE LAVENDER
| Description: |
| This is a small, rounded shrub that reaches 50 cm tall. In the mid-summer, it produces very fragrant pale blue flowers. |
| Growing conditions: |
| Grows best in full sun with well-draining soil. |
| Uses: |
| Grown for edging and as a companion plant underneath roses. |
5. ARCTIC SNOW LAVENDER
| Description: |
| Upright green branches with white flowers. Typically grows up to 45 cm tall. |
| Growing conditions: |
| Has a preference for full sun. Tolerant of droughty conditions. Grows well in containers. |
| Uses: |
| Flowers can be dried and used in floral décor. |
6. HIDCOTE LAVENDER
| Description: |
| Has a compact growth habit, reaching a height of about 70 cm tall. This variety is slow-growing. The leaves are silver-gray while the flowers are dark violet. |
| Growing conditions: |
| Grows best in full sun with well-draining soil. Requires pruning in order to maintain its appearance. |
| Uses: |
| Grown for mass planting as hedges. |
7. FOVEAUX STORM LAVENDER
| Description: |
| Compact plant that grows up to 50 cm tall. Their flowers are a vibrant shade of purple. |
| Growing conditions: |
| Grows best in full sun with a well-draining, moist soil. |
| Uses: |
| Grown as an ornamental in the garden. Can also be harvested and dried for its fragrance. |
8. IMPERIAL GEM LAVENDER
| Description: |
| Bushy growth habit that reaches 70 cm tall. Its leaves are gray-green and its flowers are violet in color. |
| Growing conditions: |
| Capable of being grown in both full sun and partial shade. Tolerant of dry/droughty conditions. |
| Uses: |
| Can be used as both an ornamental or mass-planted. The flowers can be dried and used for decorative purposes. |
9. MELISSA LILAC LAVENDER
| Description: |
| Tall plant that reaches a height of up to 90 cm. Its leaves are gray-green and its flowers are violet. |
| Growing conditions: |
| Grown in both full sun and partial shade. Tolerant of droughty conditions. |
| Uses: |
| The flowers can be dried for decoration. |
10. MUNSTEAD LAVENDER
| Description: |
| Bushy growth habit with stems reaching a height of 70 cm tall. Its foliage is medium green with blue-purple flowers. Its flowers will bloom continuously through the summer. |
| Growing conditions: |
| Grows best in full sun and is tolerant of drought. |
| Uses: |
| Often used as an ornamental or for hedges. Flowers can also be harvested for its fragrance. |
Conclusion
From its fragrant blooms to its beneficial properties, English lavender has secured its place in gardens and homes alike.
English lavender comes in many different varieties, so you’re certain to find one that fits your preferences.
We highly encourage you to plant lavender in your garden, both you and your garden will thrive!
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