Which lavender species to choose? English, French, Spanish compared

Which lavender species fits your garden?

Lavender is lovely and popular. But not all lavender is the same. There are three main groups: English lavender (Lavandula angustifolia), French lavender (Lavandula stoechas), and Spanish lavender (Lavandula latifolia). They differ hugely in frost-hardiness, bloom period, scent, and maintenance.

Wrong choice gives lavender that dies in winter or won't flower. Right choice: lavender that blooms for decades.

Comparison: 3 lavender groups

TL;DR: English = hardiest, best for UK/NL; French = mild, pretty early, winter risk; Spanish = large, warm climates only.

English lavender (Lavandula angustifolia)

Best for: UK, Northern Europe, frost-zone, long bloom.

Bloom: June-September (4 months). Compact purple spikes.

Colour: dark purple (standard), white ('Alba', 'Munstead'), pink ('Rosea').

Height: 40-60 cm. Compact, well-defined.

Frost-hardy: very (to -20°C). Survives all UK/NL winters.

Cultivars: 'Munstead' (compact 40 cm, very popular, very strong scent), 'Hidcote' (purple, compact, very long bloom), 'Grosso' (large, dark purple, very fragrant), 'Folgate' (red-purple).

Pruning: hard in March — prune back 60%. Gives fuller, more compact growth.

Water needs: very drought-tolerant. Plant once well, thereafter rarely needs water.

Scent: very strong. Perfect for honey, bees, dry scent.

Downside: shorter bloom than French (but much hardier).

French lavender (Lavandula stoechas)

Best for: milder climate (south UK, Continent coast), early bloom.

Bloom: April-May (early!), repeating bloom in autumn. Shorter but very long season.

Colour: purple, pink, white. With distinctive "ears" (crown petals), very ornamental.

Height: 40-60 cm. Compact.

Frost-hardy: moderate (to -10°C). Can be damaged or killed in harsh winters.

Cultivars: 'Kew Red' (red-purple, very striking), 'Regal Splendour' (purple very large), 'Snowman' (white, rare).

Pruning: light in March — careful. Too hard = no flowers.

Water needs: drought-tolerant, but slightly more moisture-loving than English.

Scent: milder than English. Also holds scent long.

Advantage: very early bloom (April), repeating bloom, very ornamental.

Downside: frost-sensitive, can die in harsh winter.

Spanish lavender (Lavandula latifolia)

Best for: warm, sheltered spot, large scent.

Bloom: July-September. Thin long spikes (unlike English).

Colour: lilac-purple. Less intense than English.

Height: 60-100 cm. Much larger than English/French.

Frost-hardy: poor (to -5°C, can be damaged in winter). Not suitable UK/NL unless very warm spot.

Cultivars: 'Grosso' (very large, 100 cm, very fragrant, this is actually Spanish/French cross).

Pruning: light trim after flowering.

Water needs: very drought-tolerant.

Scent: very strong. Perfect for dried work.

Advantage: large, long thin spikes, very strong scent.

Downside: frost-sensitive, winter risk, more pruning maintenance.

Which lavender to choose per situation?

UK/Northern Europe, winter-prone: English lavender 'Munstead' or 'Hidcote'. Very frost-hardy (-20°C), long bloom (June-September), compact.

Milder climate (south UK, Continental coast), early bloom: French lavender 'Kew Red'. Very striking, April-May bloom, repeats autumn.

Warm garden, large lavender: English lavender 'Grosso'. This is actually Spanish/French cross, very large, very fragrant, hardier than pure Spanish.

Sunny föhn-spot: Spanish lavender 'Grosso'. Only if certain warm, dry, sheltered.

Planting and care

Plant lavender in April or October. In heavy clay soil: add sand (drainage very important). Water first year regularly, thereafter rarely needed.

Pruning: English hard in March (60% cut back). French light in March. Spanish light after flowering (October). This maintains compact form.

Feeding: no feeding needed. Too much nitrogen gives soft growth.

Replanting: lavender gets old and woody. After 5-8 years: replace with new plant (much stronger).

Frequently asked questions

What's the difference in scent?

English: very strong, classic lavender scent. French: milder, finer. Spanish: very strong, slightly "lighter" than English.

Can I keep French lavender in the UK?

Yes, but risk. In mild winters: fine. In harsh winters (-15°C): damaged or dead. Best: against warm wall, sheltered front. Or choose English.

How long does lavender live?

English: 8-10 years good, then ageing. Pruning helps longevity. French/Spanish: 5-8 years. Replacement needed.

Can I hard-prune lavender?

English: yes, very hard (to 60%). French/Spanish: careful, to 30% max. Too hard = no flowers.

Your lavender garden

At [gardenworld.app](https://gardenworld.app) you upload a photo and see how lavender planting transforms your garden April to October. No guesswork — you see it instantly.