What’s the Difference? Which One is Best for You?
Few plants bring the beauty and charm of lavender. With its silvery foliage, soft blooms, and unmistakable scent, lavender is a favorite among home gardeners who want to add elegance and relaxation to their landscape.
But if you’ve ever gone shopping for lavender, you’ve probably noticed there’s more than one kind—most notably, French and English lavender.
Both types are beautiful, but they differ in how they look, smell, and grow. If you live in the Lehigh Valley (Zone 6a), choosing the right one can make the difference between thriving plants and struggling ones.
Let’s take a closer look at how these two types compare, and which one will perform best in your garden.
Appearance and Fragrance
English Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia)
English lavender is the traditional variety most gardeners picture when they think of lavender fields in bloom. It has compact, mounded growth and narrow gray-green leaves. The flowers are tight spikes of soft purple or blue, with a classic, sweet lavender scent that’s often used in soaps, candles, and essential oils.
Popular varieties like ‘Hidcote’ and ‘Dwarf English’ stay neat and tidy—perfect for borders, walkways, or container gardens.
French Lavender (Lavandula dentata and Lavandula stoechas)
French lavender tends to have a more open, airy growth habit with serrated leaves that give it a softer texture. Its flowers are more whimsical, topped with petal-like bracts that resemble little butterfly wings. The scent is stronger and more resinous, less sweet and more herbal than English lavender.
Varieties such as ‘Meerlo’ and ‘Grosso’ bring striking color and fragrance but are generally more suited to warm, dry climates.
Bloom Time and Longevity
English Lavender:
Blooms earlier in the season, usually June through July, and may produce a light second bloom if pruned promptly after flowering. It’s a true perennial that returns reliably year after year in Zone 6a gardens.
French Lavender:
Blooms longer, often from late spring through early fall, but it’s less cold-hardy. In areas with cold winters like the Lehigh Valley, French lavender often struggles to survive outdoors unless heavily mulched or overwintered in containers.
Care and Growing Conditions
Both French and English lavender prefer full sun (at least 6 hours daily) and well-drained soil. They don’t tolerate “wet feet,” so raised beds or sandy soil amendments are ideal.
However, their tolerances differ slightly:
*English lavender handles cooler temperatures and winter moisture better.
*French lavender tolerates heat and humidity better but dislikes frost.
In Zone 6a, winters can easily dip below what French lavender can withstand, while English lavender is hardy down to about -10°F.
Best Choice for the Lehigh Valley (Zone 6a)
For gardeners in the Lehigh Valley, English lavender is the clear winner. Its cold hardiness, dependable blooms, and tidy growth make it well-suited for local conditions. It will overwinter successfully and reward you with fragrant blooms year after year.
French lavender, while beautiful, is best enjoyed as a container plant that can be brought indoors during the coldest months.
Where to Find Lavender Locally
If you’re ready to add lavender to your garden, visit Herbein’s Garden Center in Emmaus, PA. We offer an excellent selection of both French and English varieties, including:
*Grosso – A vigorous French hybrid with long stems and bold fragrance.
*Meerlo – French lavender with eye-catching variegated foliage.
*Phenomenal – A hardy hybrid that combines French beauty with English resilience—great for Zone 6a!
*Sensational – A newer French variety with strong stems and rich color.
*Dwarf English – English, compact and perfect for borders or containers.
*Hidcote – A classic English favorite with deep purple flowers and a rich, sweet scent.
If you’ve dreamed of walking through a lavender field and picking your own bunch to take home, look no further than Peace Valley Lavender Farm in Doylestown, PA! Rows of lavender burst into bloom in June and early July, providing the perfect relaxing getaway spot just an hour away.
