Were programmed to react to color emotionally, and the sight of flowers and sheer seas of color sprawling up hillsides, moors, and cliff faces will lift even the darkest of moods. With classical dark purple flowers, this variety of lavender is well known for its generosity and the thick blooms it will produce in spring. This is an outstanding plant, winner of the Award of Garden Merit of the Royal Horticultural Society, especially if you want to use it in borders or hedges, but also if you wish to cover slopes, or if you need so dark purple in your flower beds. The more we can include these varieties into our gardens to establish themselves and reproduce, the better the variety will be safeguarded for the future. The key difference between lavandin and lavender is that Lavandin is a hybrid variety of Lavandula Angustifolia and Lavandula Latifolia while Lavender is a natural flowering plant. It is a variety of lavender with a compact habit and very well defines flowers with five clearly visible petals whose color is of a light rosy purple shade. 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. The Irish heath has evergreen foliage with an average watering need. In fact, you can use it to add texture to your beds, borders, hedges or even rock garden or grow it for its foliage (and flowers) in pots and containers. The plant can grow up to a height of 60-90 cm. In hot or dry areas, a 3- to 4-inch layer of organic mulch helps keep the roots cool and preserves moisture. It produces the strong scent that permeates the air, while French lavender has a much lighter scent, which while nice, is more reminiscent of rosemary. You may hear them called 'lavandin' or by their variety or cultivar name. (textiles) The use of interwoven yarns of mixed colours to produce flecks. The flowers on these plants are similar in size, but they last much longer on French lavender. Daboecia is easy to care for and enjoys similar sunny and soil conditions as heather and heath. Since its flowers are so beautiful, they can easily attract butterflies and hummingbirds. However, Heather plants come in many variants, types, and looks. Jennifer Anne requires acidic soil that drains freely. French Lavender With Love (Lavandula stoechas With Love), 12. Wickwar Flame is a prolific grower which will produce new growth through every season, and features yellow and orange leaves during the summer months, and these deepen to red in winter. With experience working on an organic farm, water conservation research, farmers markets, and plant nursery, she understands what makes plants thrive and how we can better understand the connection between microclimate and plant health. The difference between lavender and lilac is that lavender is a purple-colored flower with a tinge of blue color. Heather flowers come in a variety of colors, including pink, lavender, purple, red, amethyst, white, and magenta. It flowers summer through to autumn until the first frost. You can also make lavender-infused sugar for baking and swap it out for regular sugar in your favorite recipes. 3. Of course, having heard the name of Gertrude Jekill you will think that this lavender variety is excellent for borders, and it is, but it will also suit rock gardens and herb gardens, which it will enrich with its relaxing aroma. 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. Portuguese Lavender (Lavandula latifolia), 17. Amber Noyes was born and raised in a suburban California town, San Mateo. Lavender leaves are more aromatic and juicier than Russian sage leaves when crushed. These flowers are very eye-catching, and they look like stars. What benefits do these plants bring? Lavender plants are best planted out into the garden in mid spring, just as the weather is starting to warm up. Plants for a Future Database: Lavandula angustifolia - Mill. This heath flower is named after the whiskey, and you can see where the inspiration comes from with the whiskey-colored leaves, which are orange and gold. Lavender bushes are always larger in width than in height. But what do you really know about heather flowers? Heaths generally grow about 12 in. The Lamiaceae, or mint family, is the seventh largest among flowering plant families and encompasses about 7,000 species. Dark Beauty needs full sun and well-draining soil. It is less hardy than English lavender, which makes it unsuitable for colder climates. It's one variant cultivar of the Erica Carnea, and it has flowers that bloom around October to April. This lovely heath produces lime green foliage in winter, which turns a bright yellow in the warmer summer months. It puts on a lovely display from November until April with seas of pink flowers which turn darker as the blooms mature. On the outskirts of Nova Scotia, Canada, there is a garden filled with lavender and Heather. Most heath plants arent suitable for very warm or dry climates, as this is the opposite of the conditions theyve adapted to over the years. Lavender flowers have gray stems, whereas sage flowers have purple stems. An even shorter variety, Loughrigg can get anywhere from 3 to 6 inches tall, and produce pink flowers from January through until May. Like rosemary, thyme stalks mature to a brittle, woody consistency. Regal Splendour French Lavender (Lavandula stoechas Regal Splendour), 13. Below, weve compiled a list of the most common varieties of Calluna vulgaris and Erica, which you can grow in your own garden. 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. Lilac color can be pale lilac, rich lilac or deep lilac. Ideally, set up a completely new growing area for the lavender plants. They both spread out considerably and, if left alone, can end up growing together. The only thing Spring Torch really hates is strong wind. A big difference between French and English lavender is that the latter is much hardier. The smell is strong, but soapy; it has herbal overtones (sometimes even minty) and a camphor undertone. It has beautiful flowers which are a variety color mix of white, purple, pink and are well populated on the shrubs. It is a very persistent bloomer, perfect for borders, hedges, flower beds but also patios and terraces, and it looks even better when it attracts butterflies! Despite being ha strong plant, its habit is quite elegant, with many long stems growing side by side but in a fairly sparse way, so as never to give the idea of a crammed shrub, which will add a touch of elegance and harmony to your garden. The pink stars are not just another random selection of Heather; they have a bell shape subtle and pink-colored flowers that bloom in late spring or early fall. One of the most compact varieties, 'Thumbelina Leigh' grows dark bluish-lavender plump flower spikes with a strong and pleasant scent. This is a great option if youd prefer other plants in your garden to provide most of the color, and for Starlet to provide some evergreen interest outside its flowering months. The other distinctive feature is the colour of the foliage, most lavenders feature grey to grey-green leaves whereas Rosemary has a narrow bright green leaf. Lavender noun Any of a group of European plants, genus, Lavandula, of the mint family. Butterfly Lavender Papillon (Lavandula pedunculata subsp. Small trees can be a final touch, providing scale and shade. This lovely heath plant produces white blooms which have a hint of gold to them, and appear during February to April. At the end of the day, choosing the right lavender depends entirely upon your preference. On arrival, unpack them straight away and stand them in water until the compost is moist. The goal of the The African Garden is to provide a guide for anyone wishing to learn about plants and flowers. Heather flowers have the scientific name of Calluna vulgaris, and the genus name Calluna comes from Greek, translating as "to purify", and vulgaris is Latin for "common" or "widespread". The firefly is a very colorful heather plant. Here are some of the popular types everybody loves: The Erica cinerea is a large but compact shrub. The pale, purplish color of lavender flowers, paler and more delicate than lilac. Im hoping to grow a very fragrant lavender where I can harvest some for sachets etc. This is a variety with thick violet blue spikes and long and upright deep magenta bracts or ears, which look a bit like fairy crowns on top of heads among the foliage. French lavender is Lavendula dentata and it is not actually that commonly cultivated, although we often think of France when picturing fields of lavender. The size of the plants is another difference. Genus Erica has over 800 known species, while the genus Deboecia has only 2 known species. Chartreuse and golden hues are also some of the radiant alternatives of winter chocolate. Vivelli produces stunning crimson red flowers from January to May, and the leaves are a bronze-ish green. Find more gardening information on Gardening Know How: Keep up to date with all that's happening in and around the garden. Scientifically, Heather plants are known as Calluna Vulgaris; they almost always make an important addition to your plant collection. tall (30 cm) and 18 in. French Lavender Anouk (Lavandula stoechas Anouk), 10. And here are their characteristics. I come from a family of farmers. Its height usually does not exceed 3 feet. But as they are slow-growing plants, you can easily keep on top of this. Technically, Heathers has 3 genera: Genus Calluna, genus Erica, and genus Daboecia. Very helpful article, now I just have to find the plants! According to reports, heather plants can survive in zones 4 to 7. To control the plant's size and to promote new growth, every three years, in the spring, prune it back to eight inches. The inflorescences themselves are regular for an English lavender variety, but Folgate will grow loads of them!So, this is an excellent filler of color and scent to borders, hedges, and beds, and a plant you can safely rely upon to light up your garden with a richness of color that can make all the difference. Lavender however, is a more compact plant with shorter stems. There are 47 species of lavender in all with over 450 varieties, but the main types are English, French (or Spanish), Portuguese and lavandin. Commonly annual, bedding or vegetable plants, plugs are bought online from specialist nurseries. It has a neater growing habit than some other varieties on this list, where it doesnt sprawl as much. Heather is a member of the Ericaceae family and the scientific name for heather is Calluna vulgaris. You can use lavender for ornamental purposes in your gardens, as edging or to add a pop of color to your herb garden. Theres a type for nearly every space you can imagine, and quite a few varieties flower at different times of the year. A big difference between French and English lavender is that the latter is much hardier. It has long lasting blooms of dark purple flowers that have an unmistakable and very strong scent. 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. Like 'Hidcote,' 'Munstead' is known for its strong fragrance. These hybrids are generally planted for ornamental use in gardens and commercially for use in cosmetics. Heather flowers also add a lot of color to gardens, pots, balconies, and terraces as ornamental plants. The leaves of this plant are scale-like, and the flowers are a commendable addition to the beauty of Eileen Porter. These herbs may be grown both indoors and outdoors and in pots as well as in the ground. It also has gray-green foliage, but with a tidy growth habit, and it features clusters of vibrant lilac-colored flowers that bloom continuously throughout the summer. Scent. It usually only blooms once a year from January until April, and grows to a maximum height of 7 inches. LavenderTips.com is your one-stop shop for all things lavender. To avoid hybridization, as the two species do cross pollinate easily. They are grown as ornamental plants and hedges, providing a wealth of planting options which are nearly limitless. This plant's ideal soil PH type is acidic, ranging from mildly acidic to strongly acidic. They both spread out considerably and, if left alone, can end up growing together. Purple heather is one of the most striking varieties, as the purple flowers contrast well against the vivid green of the foliage. This heather needs acidic soil in order to thrive. 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. Keep this plant in a container if you dont want it to grow prolifically. Emily has been gardening for over 20 years and has been involved in the herbalism community for just as long. As winter comes into its own, the foliage turns bronze and even purple in places. Although these characteristics make this plant a perfect option for the garden, this variety is in decline. This variety is much more commonly cultivated and is typical in gardens and containers. Can lavender cause itching? a pale purple colour, like that of the lavender flower. There are at least 800 accepted varieties of the heather flower, and they are spread across the globe. You may want a site where you can see the flowers often, or where the flower color will not clash or be upstaged by flowers of other plants. Heath flowers come from the Erica genus (see also Erica Grow Guide), rather than the Calluna genus. It has the added benefit of blooming twice a year, and gets to a maximum of 28 inches tall. It needs acidic soil in order to grow properly, and gets to around 10 inches tall. I have two varieties of lavender and I think one could be Grosso and the other some kind of English but I am still unsure. In this case, the high altitude is what contributes to the difference in Lavender Fine. The plant will also benefit from pruning after the flowers have finished, to help promote healthy growth. I will make a list of my favorites to plant around my home. Broadleaved lavender, spiked lavender or Lavandula latifolia is also known as Portuguese lavender. Vines come as both annuals and perennials. Velvet Night is also used for its medicinal properties, and has received the Award of Garden Merit from the Royal Horticultural Society. As with any fertilizer it should be watered in. Regardless of the shade, it means admiration. It is tender (not hardy) and it will only grow in USDA zones 8 or 9 and above. Heather plants belong to the family Ericaceae, and they are perennial plants having evergreen foliage and flowering between April to August. Spacing: plant them between 24 and 30 inches apart (60 to 75 cm). Height: Up to 1 foot. Soil PH should also be acidic and neutral. a small aromatic evergreen shrub of the mint family, with narrow leaves and bluish-purple flowers, used in perfumery and medicine. This variety needs semi-dry soil to thrive, and somewhere in full sun. The flowers appear from February until April, and bloom a pale pink. Both are grown around the world for their displays of color, and need fairly similar conditions in order to thrive. Thumbelina Leigh English Lavender (Lavandula Angustifolia Thumbelina Leigh), 6. blooms can last all the way through winter, Top 27 Fascinating Black and Very Dark Flowers For Your Garden, Help My Orchid Is Dying! To dry lavender for culinary use, snip the stems off the plant just after the flowers have opened and hang them upside-down or lay them flat to dry. Whatever type of heather plant you choose, it will add a wealth of color to your garden. The foliage creates a lovely display in itself, being a glorious yellow-gold. There arent many trees that are as pretty as this. They will grow to be about 2-4 feet tall, while lavender plants will only grow to be about 2-3 feet. 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. If youd rather have flowers which are much warmer, Pats Gold produces bright orange flowers against a backdrop of bright golden-green leaves. Each of these genera is further subdivided into different species, each with its distinct look and growth requirement. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Any of a group of European plants, genus, Lavandula, of the mint family. Wisteria, mandevilla, honeysuckle and climbing rose are popular vines that work well. Shades. How about heath flowers? The plant itself reaches a maximum height of 10 inches tall. While each variety will have its own needs, there are some guidelines you should follow for all lavender: Sunlight Exposure:Lavender always needs full Sun, which meansat least6 hours of direct and bright sunlight every day. It does not like very fertile soil; it prefers poor soil, light soil, which means not rich in organic matter. Grosso Lavandin (Lavandula x intermedia Grosso), 19. While pets can be attracted to these blooms, you should know that this plant is poisonous to pets, so it might not be a good option if you have a lot of furry visitors in your garden. You may also notice a slight taste of mint, also defined as smokey, and for some even reminds apples. Lavender is a shrub while is a tree. It has narrow leaves (hence the name) and flowers appear as single inflorescences at the end of each stem. Lavender essential oil tends to have a . Like many other types of heather plants, Eileen porter likes acidic, well-aerated, and watered soil. She has a passion for lavender and has been growing and studying the plant for many years. Species like the Erica carnea would flourish during winter because they are better adaptable to the cold winter air. If you do not live in a very dry region, Provence may be your best choice, as it is well known for being the best variety for humid summers. But you must be careful and ensure that the soil stays moist and never dries out. In addition to lavender and the mints, the . Lavandula stoechas, the most common species by this name, is famous for having long, larger petals (bracts) at the top of each spike, or inflorescence. 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? 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 ). a scented oil distilled from lavender flowers. Lavandin has longer stems. The only difference is that English lavender leaves are covered in a silvery-white sheen (white dust - like wax) whereas L. stoechas has deeper green leaves with a less white coating. 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. 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. On the other hand, lilac is also a purple-colored flower with a tinge of pink color. French lavender is large and will grow from about 2 to 3 feet (61-91 cm.) Hi Amber, This is a type of lavender that is more suited for warm to hot climates, which makes it ideal for hardiness zones eight and nine. pedunculata), Portuguese Lavender (Lavandula latifolia), 16. Heather can eventually take over a border width-ways if left unchecked. Description [ edit] It grows to about 60 cm (24 in) high by 90 cm (35 in) wide and has purple, lavender or white coloured flowers and fine foliage. Pitcher sage, blue sage, and prairie sage are all species of sage that have similar height, width, and growing conditions to lavender. Heather is a low-growing evergreen shrub with bell-shaped flowers that bloom in late summer and fall. If you want to showcase the elegance of French lavender in pots or containers on your terrace or patio, or if you need a touch of royalty in your borders and hedges, then Regal Splendour is what you are after! Erica is found in Europe, Africa, and Russia. It produces bright pink and white blooms, and gets to a maximum of 25 inches tall. The plant itself can grow up to 8 inches tall. 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