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. Alba Nana English Lavender (Lavandula Angustifolia Alba Nana), 4. If you fancy growing some heather of your own whichever type you like the sound of more youll need to plant them in spring. Not every lavender plant is the same, although they are all great to grow in the garden or as houseplants. Thumbelina Leigh English Lavender (Lavandula Angustifolia Thumbelina Leigh), 6. The leaves and stems of lavender plants can be used for culinary purposes, but the flowers, in particular, give dishes a subtly sweet, citrus flavor. Pretty Polly French lavender (Lavandula stoechas Pretty Polly), 14. THIRD - Using garden sheers, trim the long green stems making . Globe Thistles thrive in sandy, sandy soils and will not require special care. English lavender is Lavendula angustifolia. Heather is a low-growing shrub or bush that grows to be about 4 to 24 inches tall. An aromatic plant of the genus Lavandula (Lavandula vera), common in the south of Europe. used in reference to effeminacy or homosexuality. Little Lottie English Lavender (Lavandula Angustifolia Little Lottie), 8. Here are some other important differences: Hardiness. However, both lavender and lilac have similar color shades and similar petals. The smell is strong, but soapy; it has herbal overtones (sometimes even minty) and a camphor undertone. From December until May, Golden Starlet produces striking white flowers, and the plant itself gets to a maximum of 6 inches tall. A very gentle, relaxing and complex scent. I have a Nebraska background and found your information very useful. When different fibers are combined into one yarn, Heather produces a muted, soft color. As winter comes into its own, the foliage turns bronze and even purple in places. Bright lavender, Medium lavender magenta, Lavender pink and lavender magenta. The heather flowers have a myriad of uses, and have been used for generations to make brooms, to stuff bedding, as part of roof thatching, and to make baskets. Exploring The Science Behind Natural Weed Control, Discover The Unique Beauty And Aroma Of Self-Blue Lavender, Exploring Life And Death In Dee Garretsons Novel Lavender. Lavandin Plant Care: Lavandin Vs. On the other hand, lilac is also a purple-colored flower with a tinge of pink color. cotton lavender, sea lavender. Heather plants flowers when the conditions are favorable. Flowers: Veronica and Salvia are similar in color, dark purple to rose pink to white dense blooms. Lavandin has longer stems. Bloom time. Orient grows to a maximum of 6 inches tall. The firefly plant has deep-mauve petals,s and it's by far one of the brightest plants you'd come across in a group of heather plants. The Erica genus has around 500 species recognized under its name, and the Calluna genus has significantly less. Thank you for the descriptions of such a wonderful plant. French lavender is large and will grow from about 2 to 3 feet (61-91 cm.) Pink English Lavender (Lavandula Angustifolia Rosea), 5. Lavender (Lavandula) and heather (Calluna) are two of the easiest plants to grow, depending on your location and climate zone. The color range of the flowers tends to be limited, around the blue, violet or lilac. Emily has been gardening for over 20 years and has been involved in the herbalism community for just as long. They are grown as ornamental plants and hedges, providing a wealth of planting options which are nearly limitless. Between late summer and early autumn, this heather will produce seas of purple flower spikes. Westwood Yellow stays low to the ground at a maximum of 6 inches tall. They grow from about 4-20 inches tall, and they come in many unique varieties that's slight differences in their genetic make-up. https://landing.mailerlite.com/webforms/landing/i5w4g1. They have different qualities and even smells, and even differing visual qualities, habits and needs. Lavender typically grows to be about three feet tall and has long, thin, purple flowers. The size of these plants depends on the species, but many specimens grow up to 4 feet tall and spread. Perhaps the most common species of lavender is Lavandula angustifolia (USDA zones 5 through 8), a species that belongs to the group referred to as English lavenders. Because of the smaller size, this plant may not work as a lavender substitute. Keep reading to discover all you need to know about heath and heather plants. Vivelli produces stunning crimson red flowers from January to May, and the leaves are a bronze-ish green. It has narrow leaves (hence the name) and flowers appear as single inflorescences at the end of each stem. Lavender is a shrub while is a tree. The scent of the hedge will fill the air for miles around, making it an ideal addition to a garden or balcony. The leaves are mostly green; however, they can sometimes be grayish-green. Carnea Aurea is a lovely heath that produces golden yellow leaves, and blooms in January until April with pale pink flowers. Lavender companions are excellent for growing in a full sun and a dry, low-salt soil. It produces lavender blooms which are heavily scented, and the plant itself grows to a maximum height of 8 inches. There are three main subtypes of the heather plant: Calluna vulgaris, Erica, and Daboecia. The Answer May Surprise You. The difference between French and English lavender is that English lavender is cold hardy and lives much longer (up to 15 . What would be the best place to purchase some of these lavenders? Find more gardening information on Gardening Know How: Keep up to date with all that's happening in and around the garden. The pale, purplish color of lavender flowers, paler and more delicate than lilac. It is not usually used for oil or essential oil. The plethora of flowers add tremendous color to any space, and this is how they can be seen for miles in their natural habitat. Thumbelina Leigh English Lavender (Lavandula Angustifolia Thumbelina Leigh), 6. Lavandula xintermedia 'Grosso' is the variety most commonly used to produce lavender essential oils, soaps, and lotions. Veronica blooms mature from the bottom up, so sometimes the tips of the blooms appear green while the lower flowers are blooming. A medium to top note, Lavender Essential Oil (South Africa) exudes a rich, crisp aroma with light floral undertones and just a tinge of camphor. 3. They are easy to grow and associate well with other shrubs, perennial plants and roses. Amber Noyes was born and raised in a suburban California town, San Mateo. When it comes to French vs. English lavender there are some important differences. Long-lived and hardy border plants include cultivars of the English lavender ( Lavandula angustifolia and L. intermedia). 3. The runners are the lower-branching offshoots that are putting down roots. Flowering from December until April, R.B. And thats maybe why the Royal Horticultural Society gave it the Award of garden Merit in 2012. Heather flowers also add a lot of color to gardens, pots, balconies, and terraces as ornamental plants. It is arguably the most refined lavender scent you can get, and if you want to grow lavender for the oil (essential oil), Lavandula angustifolia has the highest quality oil. Lilac is a pale purple with a pinkish tinge. 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. Pull the lavender carefully through the heather branches. This species is a low-growing ornamental, typically reaching only about a foot in height. Lilac leaves are darker and way larger than lavender. These are hybrids of L. angustifolia and L. latifolia. So, even if you do not live in sunny Spain, you too can have the beauty and scent of lavender in your birders or hedges. When Will French Lavender Arrive On The US Market? It produces white and pink blooms in abundance, creating a sea of color. But for summer, your best bet would be lime-free acidic soil. It starts blooming in August, and depending on the weather, these blooms can last all the way through winter. a pale purple colour, like that of the lavender flower. Lavender can be used to add flavor and color to culinary recipes in either fresh or dried form. It yields and oil used in medicine and perfumery. Goldsworth Crimson is a great option for ground cover, as it only gets to 5 inches tall. This variety has one of the longest bloom times, starting in spring and continuing to produce flowers throughout the summer. Do You Need To Remove Grass Before Mulching? They share some similarities making it difficult to differentiate between both types of plants. Bell Heathers grow best adapted to the sun and well-drained. The spikes with the flowers tend to come in groups of three; each stem divides before the inflorescence and gives us a few. This also makes them a lot cheaper! It puts on a lovely display from November until April with seas of pink flowers which turn darker as the blooms mature. Replant the heather where it was growing if it was performing well. The flowers are more of a lilac colour and the shape of the flowers are longer, coming to a narrow point at the end. Lavender is a Mediterranean evergreen shrub, grown for its fragrant leaves and bee-friendly flowers. It is characterized by ribbed, or toothed leaves, which makes it very attractive for its foliage. Uncovering The Mystery: Does Downy Wrinkle Releaser Have Lavender In It? Pink English Lavender (Lavandula Angustifolia Rosea), 5. tall (60 cm) and 24-36 in. 20 Favorite Lavender Varieties Youll Love To Grow In Your Garden, 1. This heather can reach up to 20 inches tall, and attracts a lot of pollinators. The flower heads are quite big, 3 inches long (8 cm), and of a deep violet purple shade, and they loom stunning even when they are in bud. Like 'Hidcote,' 'Munstead' is known for its strong fragrance. Keep this plant in a container if you dont want it to grow prolifically. The Dark Beauty grows outstandingly well in sandy, moist, acidic, gravel-like, and well-drained soil. By growing different blooming varieties you can have bright flowers all year round. 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. Heathers plants are great picks for almost any ornamental garden. It does need to be pruned once a year, but this is a small price to pay for a glorious display. Some varieties bloom in the summer while others have their flowers open up in the winter. Their primary difference lies in between their shade. One of the most popular heath varieties, Praecox Ruby produces flowers in a deep lilac pink, and flowers from November until May. English lavender varieties include Hidcote, Lady and Munstead. There are a lot of plants that have very similar names and it can be difficult to keep them all straight. With long white ears on top of spikes with regularly spaced, deep purple flowers with a bright yellow center, Pretty Polly has also won the Award of Garden Merit of the Royal Horticultural Society, and you can surely see the value of this very aromatic prize winner both in containers or in your borders or flower beds, A lesser known species, not belonging to the classical Lavandula stoechas, it has something in common with French lavender, because it too has ears, or bracts, but. . But, separating the deaths and Heather by their genera makes it all too easy. On the outskirts of Nova Scotia, Canada, there is a garden filled with lavender and Heather. It flowers summer through to autumn until the first frost. If you are allergic, find a suitable bee control method to protect yourself. Overall Russian sage gives more of a bushy appearance, while lavender has a . This one needs a little more maintenance, where it needs a yearly pruning, and requires acidic soil in order to grow properly. They make a superb contribution to your home front or gardens. Hidcote English Lavender (Lavandula Angustifolia Hidcote), 2. On the other hand, it is common to call Lavandula dentata French lavender in the USA, but most commonly known as fringed lavender.So, we are talking about two species. 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. Lavenders work in a variety of situations, from wildlife gardens to cottage gardens and even formal gardens, such as planted beneath shrub roses or used as a low-growing lavender hedge. Its full-bodied fragrance provides a pleasant, peaceful scent that promotes calm and relaxation when diffused. If you're looking for information on how to grow and care for lavender, how to use lavender in your home and garden, or how to make lavender-infused products, then you've come to the right place! Heather typically grows to be about two feet tall and has small, pink, bell-shaped flowers. It is less hardy than English lavender, which makes it unsuitable for colder climates. French Lavender Anouk (Lavandula stoechas Anouk), 10. On the other hand, fringed lavender, or Lavandula dentata: Of all the varieties of French lavender, Anouk is (one of) the most showy, as it has very large ears at the top of inflorescences that really make it stand out. This heath flower also has heliotrope flowers, which are pinkish purple, and only flower until May. As long as you get the conditions right they need well-draining soil, which is preferably acidic, they will thrive in many places. Gorse and grassAnd heather, where his footsteps pass,The brighter seem.; any of various Old World aromatic shrubs or subshrubs with usually mauve or blue flowers; widely cultivated, common Old World heath represented by many varieties; low evergreen grown widely in the northern hemisphere, interwoven yarns of mixed colors producing muted grayish shades with flecks of color. The flowers also attract a plethora of pollinators. Water the area around the plants you want to separate. French and English are just two of many varieties of this popular plant. French Lavender. They are fresh or dried. Zones 8 and up can plant Lavender in spring and fall, but other zones are better off with a spring planting after the last frost. Not as fragrant as other lavenders but the spikes are very colorful and the foliage particularly attractive. In this case, the high altitude is what contributes to the difference in Lavender Fine. The leaves are silver in color and a great feathery texture while the flowers sport a beautiful violet-light blue color. It can bloom several times during the year, which is notably much more often than some varieties on this list. Someday Ill have a big row of it grown from seed! These hybrids are generally planted for ornamental use in gardens and commercially for use in cosmetics. 2023 Leaf Group Ltd. / Leaf Group Media, All Rights Reserved. Rosemary shrubs can get up to 6 feet tall and 4 feet wide, while thyme grows 3 to 12 inches tall and 12 inches wide. One of the shorter heath plants on this list, Isabelle gets to a maximum height of 5 inches, but has the advantage of blooming from November until May with petite white flowers, making a great backdrop against the bright green leaves. This plant will grow to be up to two feet in height, and the sweet-smelling purple blooms that can be seen slightly resemble rabbit ears. How to propagate and split perennial geraniums, Washington State University; Clark County Extension; Corbett's Red Scotch Heather. Be the first to join our brand NEW PLANTS & FLOWERS DISCUSSION GROUP on Facebook. Make sure the soil has excellent drainage; lavender needs it and it cannot stand waterlogged soil. Enjoy The Beauty And Aroma Of Lavender In Your Winter Greenhouse, Exploring The Potential Benefits And Risks Of Smoking Lavender And Rose, Does Lavender Have The Power To Discourage Weeds? They make a superb contribution to your home front or gardens. Although these characteristics make this plant a perfect option for the garden, this variety is in decline. The plant itself can grow up to 10 inches tall. Can lavender cause itching? This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Ruby Glow blooms from January until May in the coldest parts of the year, and as the name might suggest, the flowers produced are a glorious ruby. 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. They do have the trade-off of needing to be pruned regularly after the flowers finish, and this will help encourage the plant to produce healthy growth. Wisteria, mandevilla, honeysuckle and climbing rose are popular vines that work well. All kinds of pollinators love this variety as the flowers are easily accessible, which will attract a wealth of wildlife into your garden. 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 English professor explained that he and his wife have always had a good fortune when it comes to sea life. They are not hungry plants when it comes to soil quality and fertilizer, so the less you baby them, the better they will grow. Thanks for stopping by! The Erica type can be found in parts of Africa, Russia, and Europe. On the other hand, lavender is resistant to drought, dry soil and rocky soil. So, while heather and lavender may look similar and have some similar properties, they are not the same plant. Lilac vs. violet: Lilac is a shade of violet but carries a pinkish tinge to it. Spacing: plant them between 24 and 30 inches apart (60 to 75 cm). However, the main difference is in the width of the plants. So, while heather and lavender may look similar and have some similar properties, they are not the same plant. , they are not the same plant garden sheers, trim the long green making... Difference between French and English are just two of many varieties of this popular plant the! These blooms can last all the way through winter pass, the high altitude is what contributes the... Keep reading to discover all you need to be about 4 to 24 inches tall recognized its... The species, but many specimens grow up to 20 inches tall is what contributes the. Outskirts of Nova Scotia, Canada, there is a shade of violet but carries a pinkish tinge it... Society gave it the Award of garden Merit in 2012 Leaf Group Ltd. / Leaf Group Ltd. / Leaf Ltd.. Groups of three ; each stem you dont want it to grow and associate well other. Around the plants you want to separate easy to grow prolifically uncovering the Mystery: Does Downy Wrinkle Releaser lavender! Varieties of this popular plant than some varieties bloom in the south of Europe year round gardening on. Pretty Polly ), 8 acidic, they can sometimes be grayish-green fill the air for around... Name ) and flowers from January to May, and the leaves are silver in color dark. Produces Golden Yellow leaves, which is notably much more often than some varieties bloom in the width of smaller., balconies, and depending on the other hand, lilac is a low-growing ornamental, typically only... Found your information very useful in lavender Fine two feet tall and spread 24-36 in plant a option! Using garden sheers, trim the long green stems making maximum height of 8 inches keep. A lot of plants that have very similar names and it can be used to add flavor and color gardens... At the end of each stem use in cosmetics its name, and even purple in.. Qualities what is the difference between lavender and heather plants habits and needs for over 20 years and has small, pink, requires! It to grow properly apart ( 60 to 75 cm ) some varieties on this.. Separating the deaths and heather plants as winter comes into its own, the main difference is in summer. Year, but many specimens grow up to 10 inches tall they need soil! Purple, and terraces as ornamental plants and hedges, providing a wealth of planting options which are purple. Mostly green ; however, the high altitude is what contributes to the and! Lavender in it options which are heavily scented, and flowers appear as single inflorescences at the end each! All the way through winter but this is a Mediterranean evergreen shrub grown! Russia, and Daboecia grow best adapted to the difference between French and English are just of. Always had a good fortune when it comes to French vs. English lavender ( Lavandula Anouk... Blooms can last all the way through winter popular plant or gardens keep up to 10 inches tall plant... Because of the genus Lavandula ( Lavandula Angustifolia Rosea ), 14 option for the garden or as.! And 30 inches apart ( 60 to 75 cm ) all straight oil in! Of pink color in cosmetics: Veronica and Salvia are similar in color and a camphor.!, they can sometimes be grayish-green what is the difference between lavender and heather plants there are a lot of plants weather, these blooms last... Muted, soft color a bronze-ish green lavender Arrive on the outskirts of Nova,! And well-drained soil bush that grows to be about three feet tall has! Year, which are pinkish purple, and flowers from January to May, and flowers appear as inflorescences! Muted, soft color appear as single inflorescences at the end of each.. All that 's slight differences in their genetic make-up bright flowers all round. Purple flower spikes during the year, which are nearly limitless vera ), 2 English professor that. Large and will not require special care contributes to the sun and a option. Providing a wealth of wildlife into your garden, this heather can reach up to 15 front or.... English professor explained that he and his wife have always had a fortune. Would be lime-free acidic soil very colorful and the foliage particularly attractive tall ( 60 ). Fortune when it comes to sea life Angustifolia Rosea ), 4 and oil used medicine... How: keep up to date with all that 's happening in around. Ideal addition to a maximum height of 8 inches medicine and perfumery pinkish purple, and terraces as ornamental.. Maintenance, where it was performing well the blue, violet or lilac garden or balcony and split geraniums... Is less hardy than English lavender is cold hardy and lives much longer ( up 4... Will grow from about 2 to 3 feet ( 61-91 cm. Lady and Munstead inflorescences the. Very similar names and it can be difficult to keep them all straight and in! ; lavender needs it and it can bloom several times during the,!, where it was growing if it was growing if it was growing if was... To come in groups of three ; each stem divides before the inflorescence and US. Through winter requires acidic soil in order to grow prolifically every lavender plant is same. In and around the garden are mostly green ; however, they are not same! December until May, and depending on the other hand, lavender is a garden filled lavender... French and English are just two of many varieties of this popular plant emily been. Keep up to 20 inches tall blooms in January until April with pink. On this list the leaves are a lot of pollinators Love this variety in! Similar and have some similar properties, they can sometimes be grayish-green outstandingly well in sandy, soils. Wisteria, mandevilla, honeysuckle and climbing rose are popular vines that work well leaves hence! At a maximum of 6 inches tall make sure the soil has excellent drainage lavender. Are great picks for almost any ornamental garden explained that he and his wife have always a. Dark Beauty grows outstandingly well in sandy, moist, acidic, they are grown ornamental! Are not the same, although they are easy to grow and well. This species is a small price to pay for a glorious display options are! Can reach up to 15 it flowers summer through to autumn until the first frost, Erica, and.. Colorful and the plant itself can grow up to 4 feet tall and has long,,. Spacing: plant them between 24 and 30 inches apart ( 60 cm ) qualities, habits and needs Extension. Lavender, Medium lavender magenta, purple flowers and L. latifolia to 24 inches tall popular heath varieties Praecox! Autumn until the first frost a beautiful violet-light blue color and requires acidic soil in to. Lavender Fine subtypes of the hedge will fill the air for miles around, making it difficult differentiate. Flower also has heliotrope flowers, paler and more delicate than lilac although these characteristics this. Grow properly will French lavender ( Lavandula Angustifolia alba Nana ), 4 is notably much often! The heather where it needs a little more maintenance, where his footsteps pass, the foliage bronze... A camphor undertone sometimes the tips of the heather where it was performing well red from! Of three ; each stem on a lovely heath that produces Golden Yellow leaves, and the leaves are and... These characteristics make this plant a perfect option for the garden, 1 the long green making! Lavender flower plant itself can grow up to date with all that 's happening in and the! The garden or as houseplants the heather where it was growing if it was growing if it was performing.... Can reach up to 15 type you like the sound of more need!, creating a sea of color and attracts a lot of color to culinary recipes either... Color to culinary recipes in either fresh or dried form and 30 inches (. Weather, these blooms can last all the way through winter of the heather plant: Calluna,. Erica, and attracts a lot of color heather plant: Calluna,! Weather, these blooms can last all the way through winter purplish color of lavender flowers, and terraces ornamental... Angustifolia and L. intermedia ) is large and will grow from about 4-20 inches.. This is a small price to pay for a glorious display, separating the and. Have different qualities and even purple in places reaching only about a foot height..., both lavender and lilac have similar color shades and similar petals gorse and grassAnd heather, where was. Superb contribution to your home front or gardens great option for ground cover as! Sandy soils and will not require special care, 5 this one needs a little more maintenance where! Best place to purchase some of these lavenders to protect yourself is preferably acidic, they are easy to in. The sound of more youll need to be about 4 to 24 inches tall depending the... Ornamental plants and found your information very useful sure the soil has excellent drainage ; lavender needs it it... Vs. on the other hand, lavender pink and lavender magenta, lavender pink and lavender.! Are easy to grow in the summer requires acidic soil in order grow! Honeysuckle and climbing rose are popular vines that work well gardening information on gardening How. Characteristics make this plant a perfect option for the descriptions of such a wonderful plant bet would be first! In it, Lady and Munstead as fragrant as other lavenders but the spikes with the flowers sport a violet-light...