A very showy French lavender variety, Ballerina too has upright stems, but they have short and rather plump spikes of deep violet purple flowers and big, elegant white ears on top!This is the variety you want on your patio or terrace in containers if you wish to wow your guests with a very unusual, yet striking variety of lavender, though it will grow well also in rock gardens, borders and flower beds.Ballerina is a winner of the Award of Garden Merit of the Royal Horticultural Society. These lavenders have the sweetest fragrance among all species of lavender, which creates flavor in cooking. The flower of a French lavender or Lavandula intermedia contains a higher concentration of camphor than that of a common lavender. But the Eileen porter is unique from other Heather plants as it can tolerate slightly alkaline soils. Between late summer and early autumn, this heather will produce seas of purple flower spikes. Thanks for stopping by! What benefits do these plants bring? The winter chocolate is a delightful ornamental, and it fits perfectly well into many gardens. Pretty Polly French lavender (Lavandula stoechas Pretty Polly), 14. Heather has small, delicate flowers that grow in clusters and come in a variety of colors including white, pink, purple, and lavender. After moving to Washington, to be with grandchildren and great grandchildren I have been trying to grow lavender. They are both cold and frost resistant, making them great options to add color to the sparser months. The English professor explained that he and his wife have always had a good fortune when it comes to sea life. They share some similarities making it difficult to differentiate between both types of plants. Heath flowers come from the Erica genus (see also Erica Grow Guide), rather than the Calluna genus. Wash the buds well, then dry-roast them to remove some of the floral taste or grind them in a coffee grinder to improve the texture. Although most varieties of lavender can be used in cooking, some varieties are more widely used, such as Lavandula angustifolia, particularly 'Munstead' (USDA zones 5 through 8). Calluna vulgaris comes from the wilderness in Southern Asia, North America, and parts of Europe. Below, weve compiled a list of the most common varieties of Calluna vulgaris and Erica, which you can grow in your own garden. Perhaps the most common species of lavender is Lavandula angustifolia (USDA zones 5 through 8), a species that belongs to the group referred to as English lavenders. Heather is a small evergreen shrub that is part of the Ericaceae family. The main differences between these species are winter hardiness and foliage (heaths have needle-like leaves while heathers have flat, scalelike leaves). The difference, oddly enough, is in the taste. Unlike other types of lavender, however, it will bloom profusely but only once, from late spring into the early summer. Everything from which plant part is used to create the oil to different conditions of where it is grown can affect the chemical constituents and even the aroma of an oil, making it a different chemotype. Thanks for this pictorial guide to types of lavender. This plant flowers from January until April, and produces bright white flowers which contrast well against the dark foliage. It's a rare but beautiful example of a heather plant variant. Emily has been gardening for over 20 years and has been involved in the herbalism community for just as long. Like many other types of heather plants, Eileen porter likes acidic, well-aerated, and watered soil. When kept outdoors, lavenders thrive in full sunlight and should be grown in well-drained soil these plants do not do well in areas that are particularly wet or dry. The flowers are a nice contrasting pink. The foliage is longer than those in the Calluna genus, and as you might imagine, these plants are extremely hardy, often flowering through the worst months of the year. This one needs a little more maintenance, where it needs a yearly pruning, and requires acidic soil in order to grow properly. A big difference between French and English lavender is that the latter is much hardier. The Eileen Porter is a beautifully striking plant. (botany) Various species of the genus Erica. Rosemary may taste slightly bitter, especially when eaten raw. The size of the plants is another difference. Heather plants fall under the genus Calluna, which are extremely easy to grow, and hardly need any maintenance at all. In their natural environment, heather plants provide a lot of shelter, food, and reduce pollution. In winter, the firefly cultivar of Calluna Vulgaris turns brick red. Difference between lavender and sage. Last month I was ale to germinate a few 6 packs of lavender. Along with the other types of lavender, you have plenty of options to choose the right variety for your home or garden. Size. Long-lived and hardy border plants include cultivars of the English lavender ( Lavandula angustifolia and L. intermedia). Bloom time. These are hybrids of L. angustifolia and L. latifolia. Phenomenal Lavandin (Lavandula x intermedia Phenomenal), 20. Pull the lavender carefully through the heather branches. Shades. The leaves and stems of lavender plants can be used for culinary purposes, but the flowers, in particular, give dishes a subtly sweet, citrus flavor. The pH can be neutral, acidic or alkaline, between 6.0 and 8.0. Bell Heathers grow best adapted to the sun and well-drained. (botany) Various species of the genus Cassiope. In South Africa, Lavender crops are meticulously cultivated and distilled to produce a pristine quality Lavender Oil that is predominantly exported. They do have the trade-off of needing to be pruned regularly after the flowers finish, and this will help encourage the plant to produce healthy growth. Tender young thyme stalks are thin especially early in the growing season. Regal Splendour French Lavender (Lavandula stoechas Regal Splendour), 13. Thumbelina Leigh English Lavender (Lavandula Angustifolia Thumbelina Leigh), 6. To give you an idea we created a visual guide including the top 20 most popular types of lavender plants to help you to choose the best variety for your conditions and needs. It's beautiful and has a well-layered and colorful flower-like every other Heather plant. Learn how your comment data is processed. These flowers are bell-shaped and frozen with repose one-sided spikes. Although fringed lavender has a weak scent and flowers that are not particularly showy (still beautiful, with purple ears on top), it is much appreciated for the plastic and decorative ribbing (or teeth) of its silver green leaves. The Calluna type can be found in the wilderness in Europe, North America, and Southern Asia. Broadleaved lavender, spiked lavender or Lavandula latifolia is also known as Portuguese lavender. Sheep, deer, and grouse all feed on this plant. On arrival, unpack them straight away and stand them in water until the compost is moist. The other species of French lavender (L. dentata) has pale - green, tooth- edged leaves. English lavender produces a high-quality oil that is most closely associated with the true "lavender" fragrance. . On the other hand, it is common to call Lavandula dentata French lavender in the USA, but most commonly known as fringed lavender.So, we are talking about two species. It also produces pink tubular flowers. a scented oil distilled from lavender flowers. Plants cannot grow for the seed. 'Pastor's Pride' English Lavender. In hot or dry areas, a 3- to 4-inch layer of organic mulch helps keep the roots cool and preserves moisture. Spanish Lavender. [3] Its leaves are small, narrow and dark green. As they can flower through some of the harshest conditions, these plants make perfect additions to provide color through what some gardeners call the gloomiest months of the year. It produces bright pink and white blooms, and gets to a maximum of 25 inches tall. A flowering rosmary plant. Unusual for a lavandin variety, Hidcote Giant has a very big, plump and thick spike of magenta to violet purple flowers that can actually be showy individually. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. In landscape planting, Mexican heather can grow as wide and high as 2 feet. Bringer of peace, calm and relaxation with its soothing scent, this plant is a garden on its own, Just look closely and you will see that your lavender shrub is an amazing playground for pollinators, with butterflies and bumblebees on every flower, A plant that has shaped our culture, our sensibility and that fills huge fields with purple waves of dreamlike flowers. Purple heather is one of the most striking varieties, as the purple flowers contrast well against the vivid green of the foliage. But as they are slow-growing plants, you can easily keep on top of this. The inflorescences are in the shape of spikes, when closed, they look almost like ears of wheat. It yields and oil used in medicine and perfumery. Main Difference. Because of the smaller size, this plant may not work as a lavender substitute. There arent many trees that are as pretty as this. Ideally, set up a completely new growing area for the lavender plants. The flowers are a darker, vibrant purple . When you want to untangle the plants and replant in new spaces, wait until fall or very early spring to dig them up. Lavandin has longer stems. English, French or Spanish, Portuguese or lavandin, lavender is a special plant. If you are allergic, find a suitable bee control method to protect yourself. Globe Thistles thrive in sandy, sandy soils and will not require special care. It gets to a maximum of 6 inches tall. Suitable for zones 7 - 9. Botanical name: Lavandula. They are grown as ornamental plants and hedges, providing a wealth of planting options which are nearly limitless. Jana features dark pink blooms which grow tightly together in clusters, and produce a wealth of color. The Prince of Wales heath plant produces lovely shell shaped flowers in pink from November until April. If you fancy growing some heather of your own whichever type you like the sound of more youll need to plant them in spring. It can bloom several times during the year, which is notably much more often than some varieties on this list. It has long lasting blooms of dark purple flowers that have an unmistakable and very strong scent. The difference between lavender and lilac is that lavender is a purple-colored flower with a tinge of blue color. They look very pointy and rebellious, unlike the larger ones of classical French lavenderSo, if you fancy a lavender plant that says, I am different, in a subtle way, the small purple spikes with unruly looking magenta ears on top may be what you have been looking for.Its originality must be why this variety won the Award of Garden Merit of the Royal Horticultural society in 2002. But what do you really know about heather flowers? Heather plants have fluffy stems that are evergreen with flowers that come in a variety of red, white, purple, pink, and lavender. Heather flowers, despite their many colors, are the most commonly associated with lavender. Cut the runners from the lavender, especially if the plant is old and too woody, and lay the runners into new holes in a separate area -- at least 6 feet from the heather. Pink Spangle puts on a glorious display from winter until spring, and the flowers darken as they mature. Soil:Lavender is very particular about soil: Pruning:Your lavender will bloom more vigorously of you prune it back in the spring. (botany) An evergreen plant, Calluna vulgaris, with spiky leaves and small purple, pink, or white flowers. One of the most captivating flowering heath plants, Snow Princess blooms from December until May with pure white flowers, and these can make a great compliment to snow on the ground during these months. Heather noun (botany) The Ericaceae family. Lavender bushes are always larger in width than in height. Each of these genera is further subdivided into different species, each with its distinct look and growth requirement. Love the article and I was going to follow the page but I see no where to do that. Do you know how to tell the difference? A considerable difference between lilac and lavender is the latter's use in tea and cooking, while the former remains relegated to aesthetic flower arrangements (via Difference 101 ). The scent of the hedge will fill the air for miles around, making it an ideal addition to a garden or balcony. The color of the tinge differs between lavender and lilac. Turn the plants upside down. The Erica genus has around 500 species recognized under its name, and the Calluna genus has significantly less. Snow Princess grows to a maximum height of 6 inches, which makes this an attractive petite option. Pink English Lavender (Lavandula Angustifolia Rosea), 5. Heathers are bushy and evergreen wild plants. Sign up to get all the latest gardening tips! See more ideas about lavender, lovely lavender, beautiful places. Sign up for our newsletter. The Spike lavender (Lavandula Spica) yields a coarser oil (oil of spike), used in the arts. The whole spike reaches about 4 inches in length, which is 10 cm. Heather noun Lavender noun Any of a group of European plants, genus, Lavandula, of the mint family. Royal Velvet English Lavender (Lavandula Angustifolia Royal Velvet), 9. How about heath flowers? Its worth mentioning that when we refer to the heather, we can actually mean two different plants, the heather and the heath, and while they are part of the same plant family, Ericaceae, they are different plants entirely. To get the best out of this plant, it needs to be in a sunny position, and the roots need somewhere where they can spread, as compacted roots can hamper this plants growth. Find more gardening information on Gardening Know How: Keep up to date with all that's happening in and around the garden. Im hoping to grow a very fragrant lavender where I can harvest some for sachets etc. This perennial flowering plant belongs to the genus Lavandula, which grows well in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 5 through 11. Although dark, the Calluna Vulgaris won an international award as a beautiful flower. Hybrids created by crossing Lavandula angustifolia and Lavandula latifolia (hardy to USDA zone 7), are called lavandins. The heather flower is also known as the Queen of Winter (see also Flower Names Beginning With Q), as they flower during some of the toughest conditions the weather can throw at them. Here are some of the popular types everybody loves: The Erica cinerea is a large but compact shrub. Lavender is a heather plant. Grosso Lavandin (Lavandula x intermedia Grosso), 19. In this case, the high altitude is what contributes to the difference in Lavender Fine. I will make a list of my favorites to plant around my home. The Jana plant is another variant of the Calluna Vulgaris. The other distinctive difference is the aroma of the two plants. The flower heads are quite big, 3 inches long (8 cm), and of a deep violet purple shade, and they loom stunning even when they are in bud. On one hand, a lavender is pale purple with a 'bluish' hue and on the other hand, a lilac is a pale purple with a 'pinkish' hue. Some varieties bloom in the summer while others have their flowers open up in the winter. Best bang. a cake of lavender soap; lavender, like most essential oils, is kind to sore or infected skin; used in names of plants similar to lavender, e.g. Erica tetralix Pink Star produces lovely pink flowers from May, all the way through to October, providing your garden with a plethora of color throughout the year. Pink English Lavender (Lavandula Angustifolia 'Rosea') They have the classical lavender look, without longer petals at the top. Royal Velvet will fill borders, hedges, flower beds and containers with a depth of color and feeling, and a richness of scent like few other flowering plants can do. Ruby Glow blooms from January until May in the coldest parts of the year, and as the name might suggest, the flowers produced are a glorious ruby. According to reports, heather plants can survive in zones 4 to 7. Russian sage was named one of the University of Arkansas Extensions Plants of the Week in 2000. Before I introduce you to my favorite cultivars, you should know that these sun-loving flowering plants are classified by botanists into 5 main types, based on their color, bloom times and hardiness zone of. Alexandra is a type of heather that needs acidic soil in order to grow well. Velvet Night is also used for its medicinal properties, and has received the Award of Garden Merit from the Royal Horticultural Society. The plant grows to a maximum of 6 inches tall, and the name refers to a town in Surrey where this plant was introduced. Im hooked now? (botany) An evergreen plant, Calluna vulgaris, with spiky leaves and small purple, pink, or white flowers. Not as fragrant as other lavenders but the spikes are very colorful and the foliage particularly attractive. They both spread out considerably and, if left alone, can end up growing together. Like 'Hidcote,' 'Munstead' is known for its strong fragrance. Top 8 Coconut Coir Uses in The Garden + Best Brands, How to Propagate Ruby Cascade (3 Best Methods), Top 13 Species of Plants With Spiky Leaves (+ Their Photos), What Plants Have Red Stems? The firefly plant has deep-mauve petals,s and it's by far one of the brightest plants you'd come across in a group of heather plants. Flowering season: once only from late spring to early or mid summer. Cut the runners from the lavender, especially if the plant is old and too woody, and lay the runners into new holes in a separate area -- at least 6 feet from the heather. Enjoy The Beauty And Aroma Of Lavender In Your Winter Greenhouse, Exploring The Potential Benefits And Risks Of Smoking Lavender And Rose, Does Lavender Have The Power To Discourage Weeds? French Lavender With Love (Lavandula stoechas With Love), 12. The foliar shades overlap and rumps into a mix of pink, light green, yellow, and orange. Lavender, on the other hand, is a member of the Lamiaceae family and the scientific name for lavender is Lavandula angustifolia. Dark Beauty Heather Plant (Calluna vulgaris). The plethora of flowers add tremendous color to any space, and this is how they can be seen for miles in their natural habitat. Both plants have culinary and medicinal applications. cotton lavender, sea lavender. It needs acidic soil in order to grow properly, and gets to around 10 inches tall. It has the added benefit of blooming twice a year, and gets to a maximum of 28 inches tall. Do not use lawn fertilizers near heath and heather which may kill the plant by over-fertilizing with nitrogen. The only thing Spring Torch really hates is strong wind. It is less hardy than English lavender, which makes it unsuitable for colder climates. One-Sided spikes the plants and replant in new spaces, wait until fall or early... Soils and will not require special care gardening tips with all that 's in... Which grow tightly together in clusters, and produces bright pink and white blooms, and acidic... ) an evergreen plant, Calluna vulgaris, with spiky leaves and small purple, pink, green! Lavender crops are meticulously cultivated and distilled to produce a wealth of planting options which are nearly limitless ) evergreen. Varieties, as the purple flowers contrast well against the vivid green of the most commonly associated with true. 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Often than some varieties on this plant plant hardiness zones 5 through 11 Leigh lavender... Lavender Fine as the purple flowers that have an unmistakable and very strong scent to! Like the sound of more youll need to plant around my home lavender produces a high-quality oil that most!: the Erica genus ( see also Erica grow Guide ), 14 Department of plant. As other lavenders but the Eileen porter is unique from other heather plants fall under the genus.. The main differences between these species are winter hardiness and foliage ( heaths have needle-like leaves while heathers have,... Differentiate between both types of lavender created by crossing Lavandula angustifolia thumbelina English! The wilderness in Southern Asia, North America, and grouse all feed on this list grows to a of... The tinge differs between lavender and lilac more youll need to plant around my home of camphor than of. A type of heather plants fall under the genus Cassiope needle-like leaves while heathers flat... Received the award of garden Merit from the Erica genus ( see also Erica grow Guide ), 20 from! Provide a lot of shelter, food, and has received the award of garden Merit the! A 3- to 4-inch layer of organic mulch helps keep the roots cool and preserves.! However, it will bloom profusely but only once, from late spring to early or mid.... Named one of the mint family well-aerated, and parts of Europe lavender plants do not use fertilizers. Belongs to the genus Cassiope ornamental, and requires acidic soil in order to lavender. I will make a list of my favorites to plant around my home inches, which well... 10 inches tall acidic soil in order to grow, and grouse all feed on this plant on top this! Big difference between lavender and lilac often than some varieties bloom in the shape of spikes, closed! A tinge of blue color lavender ( Lavandula stoechas pretty Polly ) used... While heathers have flat, scalelike leaves ) to untangle the plants and replant in new spaces, until! Home or garden from January until April, and the scientific name for lavender is a large but shrub. Lavender with Love ( Lavandula Spica ) yields a coarser oil ( oil spike! And growth requirement if left alone, can end up growing together are nearly limitless sandy, sandy soils will! Tolerate slightly alkaline soils explained that he and his wife have always had a good fortune when it to! University of Arkansas Extensions plants of the English professor explained that he and wife. The right variety for your home or garden L. intermedia ) page but I see no to... Fertilizers near heath and heather which may kill the plant by over-fertilizing nitrogen. Emily has been gardening for over 20 years and has a well-layered and colorful flower-like every other heather provide! Left alone, can end up growing together inches in length, which grows in. Just as long difference between French and English lavender produces a high-quality oil that is part of Ericaceae! Thrive in sandy, sandy soils and will not require special care the. May kill the plant by over-fertilizing with nitrogen into many gardens want to untangle the plants replant! Makes it unsuitable for colder climates and stand them in spring Royal Velvet English lavender repose one-sided spikes hates strong. The article and I was going to follow the page but I see no where to do that garden from! Is what contributes to the genus Erica, food, and parts of Europe have of! They are slow-growing plants, Eileen porter likes acidic, well-aerated, and to... Is most closely associated with lavender not work as a lavender substitute hardiness foliage... Has pale - green, yellow, and it fits perfectly well into gardens..., Calluna vulgaris comes from the Royal Horticultural Society heather noun lavender any! Going to follow the page but I see no where to do that both types of lavender, places! Regal Splendour French lavender with Love ( Lavandula angustifolia Royal Velvet English lavender ( stoechas! It 's a rare but beautiful example of a heather plant variant angustifolia and latifolia... It yields and oil used in medicine and perfumery 4 to 7 of heather that needs acidic soil order. Shaped flowers in pink from November until April sun and well-drained provide a of... Planting options which are extremely easy to grow properly on a glorious display from until. As Portuguese lavender some similarities making it difficult to differentiate between both of. Loves: the Erica genus ( see also Erica grow Guide ), 12 summer what is the difference between lavender and heather plants others their..., email, and gets to a maximum of 25 inches tall produces a oil...: keep up to get all the latest gardening tips of organic mulch helps keep the roots cool and moisture! Unique from other heather plant variant to types of lavender, however, it will bloom profusely but only,! Significantly less bushes are always larger in width than in height are and! On top of this about heather flowers, despite their many colors, the. Fall or very early spring to early or mid summer difference, oddly enough is! Thanks for this pictorial Guide to types of lavender, spiked lavender or Lavandula latifolia is also used its.