12 types of lavender

Lavender is one of the best known aromatic plants. For this reason, in this article we want to introduce you to the various types of lavender so that you can learn to differentiate them and choose the one you like the most, either for its shape and size, for its more or less intense color or for its more intense aroma. or less noticeable. In addition, the care of the lavender plant is simple and that makes them suitable plants for beginners.

Go ahead and learn more about them by reading this article that brings you closer to 12 types of lavender, their names, characteristics and photos.

Lavender officinalis or common lavender

Belonging to the Labiatae family, this aromatic plant has woody stems with opposite leaves. Its flowering occurs in early summer, giving the plant purple inflorescences , attributed to this species. In addition to their pleasant fragrance, lavender officinalis plants are cultivated for their ornamental value and medicinal properties.

12 types of lavender - Lavanda officinalis or common lavender

Lavandula angustifolia or lavender

This type of lavender is endemic to Europe, specifically Italy and France. Its leaves are greyish-green in color and can be up to six centimeters long. Of a shrubby type, the lavandula angustifolia reaches a height close to one and a half meters. Its flowers are presented in long-stemmed inflorescences that can measure up to 9 centimeters. It is usually used both as a food seasoning, especially to prepare infusions.

12 types of lavender - Lavandula angustifolia or lavender

Lavandula dentata

Native to the western Mediterranean, the Lavandula dentata takes its name from the serrated leaves on its woody stems. This plant prefers limestone soils and can grow to a height of almost five feet. Also noteworthy are the coloration of its greyish green leaves and its mauve spike flower terminations. It is used mainly as an ornamental plant, but also to make perfumes or even to relieve stomach pain.

12 types of lavender - Lavandula dentata

Lavandula latifolia

Of Spanish origin, unlike other types of lavender , this one gives off a somewhat unpleasant aroma. Therefore, it is easy to recognize by this aroma, which is totally contrary to that of most species of this type of aromatic plant. Its leaves can measure up to ten centimeters in length and its flowers are grouped in spikes. These, purple in color , are used both for their medicinal values ​​and for their ornamental beauty .

12 types of lavender - Lavandula latifolia

Lavandula stoechas

The Lavandula stoechas known for its flowers. These are arranged in compacted inflorescences in the shape of a quadrangular spike and end in three bracts of a purplish or reddish color . Its leaves are grayish green. Coming from the Mediterranean basin and Macaronesia, it can reach more than one meter in height.

12 types of lavender - Lavandula stoechas

Lavandula lanata

This type of lavender, with leaves covered by a small woolly bed, is typical of mountain climates. Its flower spikes can be up to 20 centimeters long and are lilac in color . The Lavandula lanata is of Spanish origin and is very characteristic of the Serranía de Ronda, in Malaga, although it can also be found in its natural state in other provinces of Andalusia.

12 types of lavender - Lavandula lanata

Lavandula viridis

Also known as green lavender or green lavender, it is typical of the Sierra de Aracena, in Huelva. Its lanceolate leaves usually measure up to 10 centimeters. Its inflorescences, unlike the vast majority of lavenders, are almost greenish-cream in color, hence its name. It is used for its medicinal values ​​and as an ornamental plant.

12 types of lavender - Lavandula viridis

Lavandula allardii

This hybrid formed between the lavandula latifolia and lavandula dentata is also known as Allard’s Lavender . It is a striking shrub used in gardening for its ornamental value. One of its most striking characteristics is its bushy shape with a rounded crown and its pale lilac or blue flowers .

12 types of lavender - Lavandula allardii

Lavandula canariensis

The lavandula canariensis is an endemic species of the Canary archipelago. This shrub can grow to a meter and a half in height and has opposite green leaves and glabrous stems.

One of its most distinctive features is that the flowers are quite different from those of other types of lavender, and as you can see in the image, their shape is different, although it maintains a purple color .

12 types of lavender - Lavandula canariensis

Lavandula Hybrida

This type of lavender is the product of a hybridization between Lavandula angustifolia and Lavandula latifolia . It stands out for being a high-flowering lavender, which is why it is highly valued by gardening enthusiasts. Colloquially known as lavandin, it is cultivated for its medicinal properties and for its essential oil, widely used in parapharmacy.

12 types of lavender - Lavandula Hybrida

Lavandula multifida

This type of lavender usually grows near the coast, although this does not prevent it from being grown far from the sea. Of African origin, it has very divided leaves covered by a thin layer of whitish hair. The flowers of Lavandula multifida presented in inflorescences of c odor purple and indigo between .

12 types of lavender - Lavandula multifida

Lavandula pinnata

This type of lavender also has, as in the case of the multifid lavandula, divided leaves. Originally from the Canary Islands and Madeira, it has inflorescences that are grouped three by three. The Lavandula pinnata is used primarily as an ornamental plant.

12 types of lavender - Lavandula pinnata
12 types of lavender

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