Top Ten Lavenders

Fill your garden with the unmistakable aroma of lavender, says Graham Rice, as he reveals the best hardy and patio varieties

- Graham Rice

OLDER readers may only remember lavender as that sweet fragrance wafting out of grandma’s underwear drawer, but things have definitely changed. An essential ingredient in so many fragrances, lavender development has quickened and new varieties have been developed that feature a higher oil content, attractive foliage, prolific flowering and improved hardiness.

New varieties arrive in garden centres and nurseries every year but, it has to be said, some of the golden oldies are still among the best.

All lavender varieties are neatgrowing, aromatic, drought-tolerant, evergreen shrubs that appreciate good drainage and plenty of sunshine. Most feature grey foliage that sets off the purple, lavender, pink or white flowers prettily.

Hardy lavenders 

Hardy lavenders are those that are rated by the RHS as H5, which means they are hardy in a cold British winter, down to a temperature of -15ºC. They’re mainly derived from Lavandula angustifolia (English lavender) and from oil-rich L. x intermedia (lavandin), its hybrid with L. latifolia.

These hardy lavenders make fine small specimens, low hedges and attractive edging to paths.

Patio lavenders 

Patio lavenders are less hardy, usually rated H3, so need winter temperatures above -5ºC. These are ideal container specimens to move into a cold greenhouse or conservatory for winter.

Patio lavenders are mainly derived from L. dentata with toothed leaves, L. lanata with woolly leaves, and L. pedunculata (Spanish lavender), L. stoechas