After designing gardens for over 20 years now, I’d have to say lavenders in at least 90% of my gardens – and for good reason!
Many varieties of lavender are really long-lived and they thrive on neglect (the most common cause of their demise is poor drainage and overwatering.)
But most importantly, the deer don’t like them, rabbits don’t like them, and even our dreaded gophers tends to leave them alone.
However, despite their best qualities, I’ve noticed that when consulting with gardeners, there seems to be two main complaints they have about lavenders:
1. Gardeners have become jaded with lavenders. I think this is because lavenders do so well in our area they’ve become a bit overused (especially with a few of the more common varieties.)
2. Some people are frustrated with how lavenders look in the winter – comparing them to half-dead mounds of sparse sticks.
Today, I want to share my favorite lavender varieties from my garden and explain why I chose each one.
The primary reason I have so many different types is that I absolutely LOVE the scent of lavender!
By strategically placing certain varieties throughout my garden, I can enjoy at least nine months of blooming flowers and, believe it or not, year-round fragrance.
I can already see some of you shaking your heads in disbelief, but it’s true! So, here’s a seasonal calendar outlining the varieties I use to achieve that year-round lavender bliss:
This is another Spanish Lavender, however it’s a dwarf variety that grows to a tidy 2’x2′.
The soft dusty-rose flowers of ‘Madrid Lavish Pink’ are oversized, and almost form an unusual triangular shape.
And it’s tight shape and compact size make it ideal for the front of the border.
English lavender is one of the most popular lavender species grown in gardens. Its beautiful purple flowers and fragrant aroma make it a favorite for gardeners. But when can you expect this delightful plant to be in bloom?
In this article, we’ll take a deep dive into English lavender’s blooming habits so you know exactly what to expect.
Overview of English Lavender’s Blooming Season
English lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) typically blooms for around 4 weeks in mid to late spring or early summer
The exact blooming time depends on your climate and growing conditions. But generally you can expect English lavender flowers between May and June in most regions.
Some varieties like ‘Hidcote’ and ‘Munstead’ are early bloomers, starting their display as early as late May Others like ‘Vera’ bloom later, closer to early July.
With proper care, some English lavenders will even bloom again in late summer or fall, extending the season. But the main burst of flowers is concentrated in that 4 week period in early summer.
What Controls When English Lavender Blooms?
English lavender is sensitive to environmental conditions, which influence its flowering time. Here are some of the key factors:
Day Length
Like many plants, English lavender is photoperiodic. This means the length of daylight hours triggers blooming.
English lavender requires long days to bloom. It generally won’t flower until daylight reaches 14-16 hours in spring and early summer.
That’s why you see lavender flower later in more northern climates with shorter spring days. And why it blooms much earlier in southern regions.
Temperature
Warmer temperatures accelerate growth and bud development. Cool weather and frost will delay flowering.
Lavender needs temperatures between 60-70°F to initiate blooming. Consistent frost-free weather in this temp range is ideal.
If your climate is still getting cooler spring nights, blooming will be postponed until conditions warm up. Hot weather won’t hurt as long as lavender gets adequate water.
Maturity
Like most perennials, English lavender needs time to mature before flowering profusely. Don’t expect many blooms the first year after planting.
Lavender growth can be slow. It often takes 2-3 years for plants to reach maturity and deliver a robust floral display. Patience is required!
Pruning Time
The timing of pruning can influence English lavender’s bloom season.
Pruning in early spring will delay flowering slightly, while autumn pruning after bloom extends the season. Mid-summer pruning often initiates a whole new flush of flowers.
So adjust pruning times if you want to shift the bloom earlier or later.
How Long Do English Lavender Blooms Last?
Once English lavender starts flowering, you can enjoy those delightful blooms for about 4 weeks on average.
Some varieties have a naturally shorter bloom period of 2-3 weeks. But most quality English lavenders will flower for a month or so.
Here are some tips to make the blooms last as long as possible:
- Deadhead spent flowers as soon as they fade
- Avoid excess nitrogen fertilizer
- Ensure adequate sunlight
- Prune lightly after initial flowering
- Water moderately during bloom time
With proper care, you can maximize the duration of the flowers. Just don’t expect English lavender to bloom all summer long. 4 weeks is typical for most varieties.
Blooming Habits of Popular English Lavender Varieties
There are many excellent English lavender cultivars to choose from. Here’s a quick look at bloom times for some of the most popular varieties:
‘Hidcote’
One of the earliest English lavenders, starting bloom in late May or early June. Flowers last approx. 4 weeks. Often reblooms lightly in fall.
‘Munstead’
Another early bloomer, beginning flower display in late May/early June. Blooms last 3-4 weeks.
‘Vera’
Consistently blooms later than other English lavenders, early to mid July. Flowers last up to 4 weeks.
‘Folgate’
Begins bloom in early June, flowering for 3-4 weeks. Reblooms sparingly in autumn.
‘Jean Davis’
Blooms heavily in early summer, flowers lasting about 4 weeks. Good rebloomer into fall.
‘SuperBlue’
Starts flowering in mid-June, extending for 4 weeks or more. Reblooms lightly if deadheaded.
‘Grosso’ (Lavandula x intermedia)
A popular lavender hybrid that blooms mid-summer, similar to English lavender.
Encouraging Repeat Blooming
With proper care, you can sometimes get English lavender to rebloom later in the season after the initial flowering period. Here are a few tips:
- Choose a reblooming variety like ‘Jean Davis’ or ‘Folgate’
- Deadhead spent flowers immediately after initial blooms fade
- Prune lightly in midsummer right after peak flowering
- Ensure adequate water and nutrients through the growing season
- Give plants plenty of sun
Repeat blooming potential varies quite a bit by variety. But with the right conditions, many English lavenders will give you at least a small secondary bloom.
Why Isn’t My Lavender Blooming?
If your English lavender plants are not flowering, here are some common reasons why:
- Too young – lavender can take 2-3 years to bloom well
- Insufficient sunlight – lavender needs full sun
- Overfertilization – excess nitrogen delays flowering
- Overwatering – wet soil deters blooming
- Pruned at the wrong time – avoid pruning just before bloom time
- Low temperatures – cold weather delays flowering
- Transplanted recently – can interrupt blooming for a season
Check over these factors and make adjustments to get your plants back on track. With proper care, your English lavender will reward you with an abundance of fragrant purple blooms each year.
When to Enjoy English Lavender’s Flowers
English lavender is a delight in the early summer garden. Its nostalgic fragrance and colorful flowers are a special treat.
Now that you know when and how long this aromatic herb blooms, you can look forward to its yearly floral display. Plant some English lavender this spring and enjoy those blooms next early summer!
Lavender angustifolia ‘Blue Spear’
This is another English lavender that is quickly becoming a favorite, with lighter flowers that are larger than Hidcote’s.
To ensure the English lavender’s downtime doesn’t drive a client crazy, my solution is to plant something with year-round beauty nearby to distract the eye.
This includes other lavender varieties that look good in the winter (see below!)
Early summer – Lavandula angustifolia varieties (English lavenders)
Next up are the English lavenders, which begin blooming June through July. They’re also quite hardy, performing well even in zone 5 gardens!
These lavenders are generally smaller, with tight, barrel-shaped flower clusters on tiny blue-green foliage. When clients specifically request lavenders to use for cooking, I’ll use the English varieties as they contain very high-quality and fragrant oils.
How to Prune Lavender: A Beginner’s Guide
FAQ
How do you keep English lavender blooming?
Lavender thrives in full sun and well-drained soil. For optimal growth, plant it in a spot that gets at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily. The soil should be sandy or gravelly to allow excess water to drain away from the roots, preventing rot. If you have heavy clay soil, mix in gravel or sand to improve drainage.
How long do English lavender blooms last?
These species begin blooming in late May to early June, typically lasting 3-4 weeks, with some offering extended flowering periods that attract pollinators and provide visual interest while filling the air with calming scents.
What is the 888 rule for lavender?
Which type of lavender blooms the longest?
Lavandula stoechas ‘Anouk’ (Spanish Lavender) – This French Lavender blooms almost continuously from mid-late spring to late summer.
When does lavender Bloom?
Depending on the variety, blooms may appear anywhere from early to late in the season and sometimes even produces continuous blooms all season long. Common types of lavender are English, Spanish, French, and Portuguese. English lavender (Lavandula augustifolia) : ‘Hidcote’ and ‘Munstead’ are two of the most popular English cultivars.
Does English lavender Bloom?
With its delicate purple blooms and unmistakable scent, English lavender is a beloved garden plant. But if you want to get the most out of these aromatic beauties, it helps to understand their blooming habits. Specifically, how long does English lavender bloom during the growing season?
How long does a lavender flower last?
However, it takes three years for the lavender plant to mature and produce plenty of blooms for various uses. Once the lavender plant reaches maturity, it will continue to produce blooms annually. It is worth noting that the lifespan of a lavender flower is relatively short, lasting only a few weeks.
Which lavender flowers have a long bloom period?
Of the numerous lavender varieties, here are a few with especially long bloom periods: Munstead English lavender (Lavandula angustifolia ‘Munstead’) has violet-colored flowers that grow in delicate clusters at the tips of compact stems. Cutting back flowers after they fade to encourages a second round of blooms. Zone 5-8
When does French lavender flower?
French lavender (Lavandula stoechas) is highly valued for its long flowering season. In the right climate with optimal conditions, this species can flower as early as May and keep producing flowers all through summer to the Fall.
How many times a year do lavender plants bloom?
Lavender plants can bloom one to three times a year, depending on the variant and cultivar. French Lavender is the best choice if you want a lavender plant that blooms for several months, while English Lavender is the one to choose if you want a long-living plant that can live up to 15 years.