Hi. I have four types of lavender, apparently. I know one is Munstead Dwarf, one is Hidcote. Then, I have two tall, long stemmed varieties. One is white and the other looks like a super Munstead. What are the taller ones, do you think? They winter over in zone 5 or 6 and are not the Spanish or French lavender which look quite different. Maybe the English lavender just comes in various colors and heights? I am notorious for forgetting what I've planted and these have been around for at least 12 years or more.
Curious about different varieties of lavender
I have Province Lavender (France) It is tall. I have had it for 5 years in Z6
Thank you. I think that may be it!
Munstead Wood was Gertrude Jekyll's famous house near Godalming in Surrey, although she is probably one of the most famous English garden designers, her love of Lavender amongst her borders is well known.
At the same time as Jekyll, Hidcote Manor became an arts and crafts movement garden, (Jekyll was a founder member), so you have the history of why your Lavender has such names.
French Lavender we call Stoechas, after its scientific name Lavandula stoechas
I enclose a picture from this years Chelsea Flower Show, just to show you some Lavenders, to tempt ypu with!
Kind Regards from England.
Neil,
Here in the US we call L. stoechas 'Spanish' or 'Butterfly' lavender. Chalk it up to regional differences.
Nice photo, is it at the Chelsea Flower Show? I managed to get to that show and Foriade in Holland once - many years ago (1992).
Thank you for your message!
Stoechas grows throughout Europe especially in the Mediterranean areas, so does come from Spain, France etc.
However there are many species and untold varieties and cultivars.
Being a purist I only grow English Lavender, whereas my wife does have some French lavender in her herbaceous border.
We were supposed to go to the Worlds Biggest Annual Flower Show at Hampton Court today, but my wife is ill.
Yes that picture was taken at Chelsea this year by me.
Kind Regards from a very wet England!
That was a beautiful picture. I can only imagine the sensual beauty of a field of lavender.
Briton has always been ahead of us in their love of gardens. I can look at pictures of English gardens and drool. I try to emulate cottage gardens in mine.but they always seem to be disorganized and not the same.
Hope your DW is feeling better.
Neil, thank you for the history. I enjoyed the pictures, too, from Neil and Dale. I like having a variety. However, I do think the English lavender holds color best when dried.