Large or real Speik, Lavengel or Lafengel, spikenard, spikenard, braided flowers or brainweed, spikenard, nerve herb, spiked or spiked flower… the popular fragrant shrub lavender is popularly known by many names. What is less well known, however, is that the shrub, which usually has blue to violet flowers, is available in a large number of species and varieties. Here you will find a list of the most important types of lavender.

True lavender (Lavandula angustifolia)

Real lavender, a silver-grey scented shrub, is quite undemanding in cultivation. It loves dry, slightly calcareous soil and needs a lot of sun. The bushy plant also tolerates a harsh climate quite well, so that it can be cultivated outdoors, especially in wine-growing regions - provided that appropriate winter protection is provided, of course. The real lavender is available in numerous breeds with different flower colors. In addition to the classic lavender blue, there are also varieties with bright blue, violet, pink or even white flowers.

Tooth lavender (Lavandula dentata)

Tooth lavender grows a little taller than true lavender. The heavily bushy and branched semi-shrub can reach a height of between 50 and 90 centimetres. Its flowers, which appear between June and August, have a distinctive light blue colour. Like the other types of lavender, toothed lavender also needs good winter protection in harsh climates. The pots should be overwintered in a bright and cool place. This species is very suitable for pot culture. The young leaves are only suitable as a spice to a limited extent and in small quantities, while dried flowers are wonderful as a filling for scented sacks, for potpourris and as a garnish for desserts. The toothed lavender owes its name to the peculiar toothing of its leaves.

Provence lavender (Lavandula x intermedia)

Provence lavender with its typical scent and very intense aroma is used like real lavender. It is a hybrid of different lavender species grown in numerous varieties, mainly in the south of France. The plants grow to between 30 and 60 centimeters in height and bloom in a showy, blue-purple color from June to August. Provence lavender loves warmth and therefore needs good winter protection. The flower stalks should only be harvested after they have fully opened.

Varieties of Provence lavender

  • Alba (large, vigorous, white flowers)
  • Bleu de Collines (compact, floriferous, intensely fragrant)
  • Blue Dwarf (compact, long-stemmed, well suited as a hedge)
  • Dutch (long flower stalks, purple-blue flowers)
  • Felibre (prolific bloomer with rich purple flowers)
  • Grosso (well-known variety with long stems and dark purple flowers)
  • Julien (slow growing, purple flowers)
  • Speciale (luxuriant growth, late blooming with purple flowers)
  • Sumian (large, lavender blue flowers)

Spiky lavender (Lavandula latifolia)

The Speik lavender is a strong-growing shrub that can reach a height of between 80 and 100 centimeters and is therefore called large lavender. Its strong aroma is reminiscent of camphor. Speik lavender is quite insensitive to cold, but winter protection is recommended in harsh climates. This species is used like the number lavender. In the distillation, however, the Speik lavender has the highest oil yield.

French lavender (Lavandula stoechas)

The crested lavender has narrow, green leaves and a rounded, cylindrical inflorescence with a tuft of lilac-pink or white flowers on top. Like real lavender, this type has an antispasmodic and relaxing effect. The crested lavender is only suitable for cultivation in pots, although these should be overwintered in a light and cool place. With their sweet scent of cinnamon and camphor, the dried flowers are ideal for tea blends.

tips and tricks

A lavender bath is relaxing and wonderfully refreshing at the same time. You can make this yourself from 50 grams of dried flowers, which you scald with a liter of boiling water. Allow the brew to steep for about 15 minutes and strain the flowers. You can simply add the lavender water to your bath water.

IJA

Category:

Herbs