What’s the Difference Between French and English Lavender?

Lavandulais a genus in the mint family that contains 41 accepted species. And this might be daunting when selecting the variety of lavender that best suits your garden, because there are so many options.

This plant species breakdown will focus on two of the most common selections from the genus, French (L. dentata) and English (L. angustifolia).

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Lavandula herbs boast many uses, and thanks to the wide range of species and cultivars available, they are perfect for a range of garden designs.

To learn more about adding these fragrant perennials to your landscape or garden, check out our guide on how to grow lavender.

L. dentata and L. angustifolia differ in appearance, so once you know what to look for, it will be easy to differentiate between the two.

First, I’ll highlight the features of each, and then I’ll explain their differences and best uses.

The French type, L. dentata, is also commonly known as fringed lavender.

This refers to the shape of its leaves, which have toothed edges. Dentata is a Latin word that translates to “toothed” in English.

L. dentata enjoys warm climates and is hardy in Zones 8 through 10, where plants can reach four feet in width and an equal height.

This species has gray-green foliage and pretty pale purple flowers that have a long bloom time.

The species may be confused for L. stoechas since both are sometimes referred to commonly as French lavender, though this is more typical in the UK.

L. dentata is native to southwest Asia, North Africa, and the Mediterranean region. L. stoechas, aka topped or Spanish lavender in the