Lavender, the fragrant and captivating plant, has long been a beloved symbol of tranquility, wellness, and natural beauty. But did you know there are over 40 species and over 400 varieties of lavender? Flower color ranges from white, to pink, to green, to blue and to every shade of purple imaginable, and foliage color ranges from vibrant grass green to dusty gray. The shape and size of the flowerheads are also as unique as is their corresponding foliage shape. The lavender family boasts a remarkable diversity of species and varieties, each with its own unique characteristics and charm.
Understanding Lavender's Scientific Classification
To fully appreciate the diversity of the lavender family, it's important to understand the scientific classification system that governs the naming and identification of these plants. Lavender belongs to the genus Lavandula, which is part of the mint family, Lamiaceae. Each species and variety is assigned a unique scientific name, following the binomial nomenclature system.
Here’s a quick tutorial on how to read scientific plant names:
Genus
The genus always comes first. You may see it spelled out in its entirety (Lavandula) or abbreviated with the first letter capitalized followed by a period (L.). It is often italicized.
Species
The species name follows the genus. You will likely see it italicized and the first letter not capitalized. If you see an "x" that signifies this plant is a hybrid or cross between two different species.
Variety or Varietal
The name of the plant variety is always last. You may see it in quotes and it is usually capitalized as a proper name.
For example, the full scientific name for lavender can look like Lavandula angustifolia "Folgate", Lavandula x intermedia "Edelweiss", or Lavandula stoechas "Otto Quast."
Lavandula Angustifolia
At the heart of the lavender kingdom lies the beloved Lavandula angustifolia. At True Lavender Collective, you are likely to experience these popular Lavandula angustifolia varieties in store:
Lavandula Angustifolia 'Royal Velvet'
‘Royal Velvet’ is known for its lush, velvety deep-purple blooms and slightly arching flower spikes that add elegance to any bouquet or sachet. Its blossoms hold their color beautifully when dried, making it a favorite for crafts, gifts, and a lovely dried lavender offering. The sweet, classic lavender fragrance adds a subtle hint of luxury wherever it’s used.
Lavandula Angustifolia 'Folgate'
‘Folgate’ offers a burst of vibrant violet-blue flowers in late spring. It’s highly aromatic with a clean, sweet fragrance. Its uniform growth and strong color make it ideal for small dried lavender displays.
Lavandula Angustifolia 'Royal Purple'
‘Royal Purple’ is a culinary star, prized for its bold purple blooms and balanced, sweet flavor. It’s perfect for infusing syrups, baked goods, and even cocktails with a fragrant twist. The rich color of its buds makes it a striking garnish and a favorite for creating eye-catching kitchen creations. 'Royal Purple' is the varietal used in our culinary lavender bud offerings.
Lavandula Angustifolia 'Melissa'
‘Melissa’ is prized for its delicate pink-lavender flowers that stand out among the usual purples and blues. Its unique color makes it a favorite for romantic dried arrangements, wedding décor, and pastel-themed crafts. Melissa offers a softer color palette and gentle fragrance, and makes a wonderful Lavender Hydrosol base for our Lavender Facial Toner.
Lavandula x Intermedia
Lavandula x intermedia, commonly known as lavandin, is a hybrid species that combines the best traits of Lavandula angustifolia and Lavandula latifolia. These robust and fragrant plants are prized for their exceptional oil production and their ability to thrive in a wide range of growing conditions. Some of the most notable lavandin varieties we use and feature at TLC include:
Lavandula x Intermedia 'Grosso'
A large and vigorous variety with deep purple flowers and a strong, sweet fragrance. 'Grosso' is a popular choice for lavender farmers due to its high essential oil content. 'Grosso' lavender is very hardy, drought-tolerant, and produces a robust, long-lasting scent, making it ideal for aromatherapy, sachets, and dried flower arrangements. At True Lavender Collective, you will find 'Grosso' is the cultivar for our Lavender Hydrosol, our Lavender Essential Oil, dried buds, sachets, and long-stem bouquets.
Lavandula x Intermedia 'Gros Bleu'
This variety is celebrated for its deep, rich purple blooms and elegant, long stems. It produces some of the darkest purple flowers among lavandins, making it a standout in both fresh and dried floral arrangements. "Gros Bleu' has a sweet, clean fragrance, with less camphor than other lavandins, and can be found as the Hydrosol base of our Lavender Pet Mist as well as in our long-stem bouquets.
Lavandula x Intermedia 'Hidcote Giant'
This impressive cultivar is a standout choice for dried arrangements and crafts thanks to its tall stems and plump violet flower spikes. Its blooms are richly fragrant and hold their color beautifully when dried, making them ideal for wreaths, and our long-stem lavender bouquets.
Lavandula x Intermedia 'Alba'
'Alba' is a striking white-blooming lavender that brings a fresh, elegant twist to the garden. Its long stems and snow-white flower spikes make it perfect for dried arrangements, wreaths, and bouquets where you want a soft, romantic look. The fragrant blooms also stand out beautifully when paired with purple or blue lavender varieties, creating a stunning contrast in floral displays and crafts. We feature ‘Alba’ in our store displays and use it as part of our lavender education to inspire visitors who may only know purple varieties of the plant.
Lavandula Stoechas
Lavandula Stoechas, also known as Spanish lavender, boasts whimsical flower spikes topped with ‘rabbit-ear’ bracts. More than just a visual standout, it’s an early bloomer for us in Southern Oregon and is found often around town in gardens. Our featured jewelry collection by Lavender Beads has a gorgeous pendant inspired by the Lavandula stoechas.
Whether you're a seasoned gardener or a lavender enthusiast, we hope this brief introduction will serve as a valuable resource to help you discover the wonderful world of lavender varieties.
