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The Many Faces of Lavender: Choosing the Right Variety for Your Needs

Feb 13, 2025

Laura Wright

Lavender is more than just a fragrant herb—it’s a versatile plant with different varieties suited for various uses, from culinary delights to aromatic essential oils. Whether you’re looking to grow lavender in Riverside, CA, or elsewhere, knowing the best variety for your needs and climate is essential for success.

Lavender Varieties and Their Ideal Uses

1. English Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia)

  • Best for: Culinary use, essential oils, sachets, and dried arrangements.

  • Notable cultivars: ‘Hidcote,’ ‘Munstead,’ ‘Vera’

  • Why grow it? English lavender is known for its sweet fragrance and is the best choice for cooking. It’s also a popular choice for making essential oils due to its high-quality aroma.

2. French Lavender (Lavandula dentata)

  • Best for: Ornamental gardens, potpourri, and landscaping.

  • Notable cultivars: ‘Goodwin Creek Grey,’ ‘Royal Crown’

  • Why grow it? This variety has serrated leaves and a milder fragrance. It blooms for a long time and is perfect for Mediterranean-style gardens.

3. Spanish Lavender (Lavandula stoechas)

  • Best for: Ornamental purposes, attracting pollinators, and dried arrangements.

  • Notable cultivars: ‘Anouk,’ ‘Ballerina,’ ‘Silver Anouk’

  • Why grow it? Spanish lavender is distinguished by its rabbit-ear-like petals and strong scent. It thrives in hot, dry conditions and is excellent for attracting bees and butterflies.

4. Lavandin (Lavandula x intermedia)

  • Best for: Essential oils, sachets, soaps, and crafts.

  • Notable cultivars: ‘Grosso,’ ‘Provence,’ ‘Phenomenal’

  • Why grow it? Lavandin is a hybrid of English and Portuguese lavender, known for its high oil yield and strong fragrance. It’s great for making bath and beauty products.

Growing Lavender in Different Climates

Lavender thrives in well-draining soil and plenty of sunshine. However, different varieties have varying climate preferences:

  • Cool Climates: English lavender is the best choice due to its ability to tolerate cold temperatures.

  • Mediterranean Climates: French and Spanish lavenders flourish in warm, dry conditions.

  • Hot & Humid Climates: Lavandin varieties like ‘Phenomenal’ perform well due to their resistance to heat and humidity.

Caring for Lavender in Riverside, CA

Riverside’s climate is characterized by hot summers and mild winters, making it an excellent place to grow lavender. Here’s how to keep your lavender thriving:

  • Soil: Well-draining, sandy, or loamy soil with a slightly alkaline pH (6.5–7.5) is ideal.

  • Sunlight: Lavender needs at least 6–8 hours of full sun daily.

  • Watering: Water young plants regularly until established. Once mature, lavender is drought-tolerant and should be watered deeply but infrequently (every 1–2 weeks, depending on heat levels).

  • Pruning: Trim back spent blooms and lightly shape plants after flowering to encourage new growth and prevent woodiness.

  • Mulching: Use gravel or sand rather than organic mulch to avoid excess moisture retention.

By selecting the right lavender variety and giving it proper care, you can enjoy a thriving lavender garden in Riverside, CA, and beyond. Whether you’re growing it for fragrance, flavor, or aesthetic appeal, there’s a perfect lavender variety for every purpose!