We are excited to be adding a lavender field this year with a couple hundred plants :). We did quite a bit of research before planting, and wanted to share some tips.and basic info on how to pick the right variety. It really comes down to how you want to use or grow the lavender plant. We chose Grosso and Provence to start, due to their abundant flowers and strong scent. Here is a quick list to help you choose which lavender to plant and grow:

Choosing Your Lavender Variety

Following is a list of suggested lavender varieties to consider and their uses (From the US Lavender Growers Association):

Landscaping:

• Thumbelina Leigh – small, compact, dark violet flowers, good for containers.
• Munstead – popular small plant with medium purple flowers, can bloom twice.
• Hidcote – small with dark bluish purple flowers.
• Buena Vista – medium sized plant, purple flowers that blooms continuously
• Folgate – medium bush with light bluish flowers, one of the first to bloom in spring
• Melissa – medium plant with light pink flowers.
• Edelweiss – medium plant with white flowers.
• Royal Velvet – medium plant with dark purple flowers
• Grosso – large plant with purple flowers
• Provence – large plant with pale purple flowers

Dried Buds (For Lavender Sachets):

• Provence (L. x intermedia) – pale buds, some camphor scent, easy to take off stem
• Grosso (L. x intermedia) – medium purple buds, strong camphor scent
• Royal Velvet (L. angustifolia) – dark purple bud with sweet scent
• Buena Vista (L. angustifolia)  – purple buds with nice lavender scent

Culinary Buds:

• Provence (L. x intermedia) – use for meats and savories
• Royal Velvet (L. angustifolia) – great flavor and nice dark purple bud, very nice in desserts
• Betty’s Blue (L. angustifolia) – nice gentle lavender flavor and dark bud
• Melissa (L. angustifolia) – wonderful flavor in desserts and teas

Crafting:

• Grosso – nice long stems for lavender wands
• Folgate (L. angustifolia)  – early blooming, dries dark blue/purple, great for wreaths
• Royal Velvet (L. angustifolia) – dries dark purple, great for wreaths
• Buena Vista (L. angustifolia) – dries dark purple, great for wreaths

Fresh Cut/You cut:

• Folgate – early blooming lavender
• Most angustifolias bloom earlier than lavandins
• Buena Vista – blooms several times during the season
• Grosso – nice long stems, easy to cut

Essential Oil:

• Grosso (L. x intermedia) – considered the highest oil producing lavender, high camphor content
• Royal Velvet (L. angustifolia) – sweeter, floral fragrance
• Super (L. x intermedia) – higher oil producing lavandin with an oil fragrance similar to angustifolias
• Maillette (L. angustifolia)  – considered the oil standard in France, one of the best angustifolia

As you can see there are too many to enjoy! Follow us for more on this topic.