Lavender Species & Uses — Quick Beginner Guide

English Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia)
Best For: Drying, sachets, teas, baked goods
Fragrance: Sweet, floral
Oil Yield: Low–moderate, very high quality
Pollinators: Excellent bee plant
Bloom Time: Early–mid summer
Bonus Tip: Harvest when half the buds are open for best fragrance & color.

Lavandin (Lavandula x intermedia)
Best For: Essential oils, fresh bundles, large displays
Fragrance: Strong, slightly camphorous
Oil Yield: Very high
Pollinators: Good, blooms later than English
Bloom Time: Mid–late summer
Bonus Tip: Great choice if you want long stems for arrangements.

French Lavender (Lavandula dentata)
Best For: Decorative pots, warm climates
Fragrance: Light, piney
Oil Yield: Low
Pollinators: Good nectar source in warm months
Bloom Time: Nearly year-round in mild climates
Bonus Tip: Not recommended for cooking due to resinous taste.

Spanish Lavender (Lavandula stoechas)
Best For: Pollinator gardens, early-season color
Fragrance: Herbal, medicinal
Oil Yield: Low
Pollinators: Excellent
Bloom Time: Very early spring–early summer
Bonus Tip: Distinctive “rabbit ear” bracts make it a showstopper in beds & borders.

Goodwin Creek Lavender - (Lavandula × giningsii)
Best For: Ornamental planting in warm climates
Fragrance: Light, resinous
Oil Yield: Low
Pollinators: Moderate — attracts bees in bloom
Bloom Time: Nearly year-round in frost-free zones
Bonus Tip: Silvery, woolly foliage makes it an excellent contrast plant in borders.

Sweet Lavender - (Lavandula heterophylla) 
Best For: Fresh bouquets, potpourri, decorative garden use
Fragrance: Sweet, clean lavender scent
Oil Yield: Moderate — pleasant but less intense than Lavandin
Pollinators: Excellent
Bloom Time: Nearly all year in mild climates; main flush in spring
Bonus Tip: Tolerates heat well; extends lavender season in warmer regions.

Allard's Lavender - (Lavandula × allardii)
Best For: Ornamental landscaping, hedging
Fragrance: Strong camphor-lavender scent
Oil Yield: Low–moderate
Pollinators: Good nectar plant
Bloom Time: Long bloom season, especially in warm areas
Bonus Tip: Grows large and vigorous — give it space (up to 5 feet wide).

Grey Leaved French Lavender - (Lavandula dentata var. candicans)
Best For: Ornamental gardens, coastal planting
Fragrance: Light, resinous
Oil Yield: Low
Pollinators: Good nectar plant
Bloom Time: Nearly continuous in warm climates
Bonus Tip: Soft grey foliage and pale purple blooms make it a striking companion to roses.

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✂ Harvesting Tips

• Cut stems in the morning after dew dries
  
  
• Use sharp snips to prevent stem damage
  
  
• Dry in small bunches, upside-down, in a dark, airy space

🐝 Pollinator Note

• All lavender species support bees & butterflies
  
  
• English & Spanish varieties are top choices for early nectar
  
  
• Avoid pesticide use to keep blooms pollinator-friendly

🎯 Choosing the Right Lavender

• For Drying: English
  
  
• For Oils: Lavandin
  
  
• For Cooking: English
  
  
• For Long Stems: Lavandin
  
  
• For Warm Climates: French, Sweet Lavender
  
  
• For Early Pollinators: Spanish