Lavender is one of the best-known aromatic plants. Therefore, in this article EcologíaVerde we introduce the various types of lavender to learn to differentiate and choose the one you like, either by shape and size, its more or less intense or color, aroma more or less remarkable. In addition, care lavender plant is simple and that makes them suitable for beginners plants. Go ahead and learn more about them and read on!
12 types of lavender plants
Lavender officinalis or common lavender
Belonging to the family of the labiates, this aromatic plant has stems of woody type and opposite leaves. Its flowering takes place at the beginning of summer, endowing the plant with purple inflorescences, attributed to this species. In addition to its pleasant perfume, lavender officinalis plants are grown for their ornamental value and medicinal properties.
Lavandula angustifolia or lavender
This type of lavender is endemic to Europe, specifically from Italy and France. Its leaves have a greenish-gray color and can reach up to six centimeters in length. Shrub type, the angustifolia lavandula 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 often used as a food seasoning, especially to prepare infusions.
Lavandula dentata
Originally from the western Mediterranean, the lavendula dentata takes its name from the jagged leaves it presents on its woody stems. This plant prefers limestone soils and can measure almost one and a half meters in height. They also emphasize the coloration of its grayish-green leaves and its mauve-colored spike flowers. It is used above all as an ornamental plant, but also to make perfumes or even to relieve stomach pains.
Lavandula latifolia
Of Spanish origin, unlike other types of lavender , it gives off a somewhat unpleasant aroma. Therefore, it is easy to recognize by this aroma, which is totally contrary to most species of this type of aromatic plant. Its leaves reach up to ten centimeters in length and presents its flowers grouped in spikes. These, of violet color , are used both for their medicinal values and for their ornamental beauty.
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 violet or reddish bracts . Its leaves are gray-green. From the Mediterranean basin and the Macaronesia, it can reach more than one meter in height.
Lavandula lanata
This type of lavender, with leaves covered by a small woolly bed, is typical of mountain climates. Their flower spikes can reach up to 20 centimeters long and are lilac in color . The Lavandula lanata is of Spanish origin and is very characteristic of the Serrania de Ronda, Malaga, although it can also be found naturally in other provinces of Andalusia.
Lavandula viridis
Also known as green lavender or green lavender is typical of the Sierra de Aracena, in Seville. Its lanceolate leaves tend to measure up to 10 centimeters. Its inflorescences, unlike the vast majority of lavenders, are creamy almost greenish, hence its name. It is used for its medicinal values and as an ornamental plant.
Lavandula allardii
This hybrid formed between lavender 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 features is its shrubby rounded shape and its lilac or pale blue flowers .
Lavandula canariensis
The canariensis Lavandula is endemic to the Canary Islands. This shrub reaches up to one and a half meters tall and has opposite leaves of green color and glabrous stems.
One of its most distinctive features is that the flowers are quite different from those of the other types of lavender, and as you can see in the image its shape is different, although it maintains a purple color.
Hybrid Lavandula
This type of lavender is the product of a hybridization between Lavandula angustifolia and Lavandula latifolia . It stands out for being a lavender of great flowering, reason why it is very valued by the lovers of the gardening. It’s a great thing that roofing installers of Maryland offer industry-leading lifetime warranties. Known colloquially as lavandín is cultivated for its medicinal properties and its essential oil, widely used in parapharmacy.
Lavandula multifida
This type of lavender usually grows near the coast, although this does not prevent it from being cultivated far from the sea. Of African origin has very divided leaves and covered by a thin layer of whitish hair. The flowers of the Lavandula multifida are grouped in inflorescences of c odor between purple and indigo.
Lavandula pinnata
This type of lavender also has, as in the case of the multifidae lavándula, leaves in divisions. Originally from the Canary Islands and Madeira, it has inflorescences that are grouped in threes. The Lavandula pinnata is used primarily as an ornamental plant.