ATTRA Question of the Week

D.G.
Ohio

Answer: Thank you for requesting from ATTRA a list of all available varieties of lavender. Please see our publication Lavender Production and Marketing.

Refer to The Big Book of Herbs, by Arthur O. Tucker (Delaware State University) and Thomas DeBaggio—both with considerable expertise on lavender. The main species of lavender grown commercially are cultivars of Lavandula angustifolia and of the hybrid L. x intermedia (Lavandin). As Tucker says,

The genus [Lavandula] includes about 20 species of the Atlantic Islands and the Mediterranean, but only a few have any real herbal uses. The remaining species are tender perennials and not hardy outside of southern California.

Another compendium is Lavender: The Grower’s Guide, by New Zealand Botanical Officer Virginia McNaughton. Information on how to order both reference works is found in the ATTRA publication. (Or, you may request to borrow these books through the Interlibrary Loan service of your local public or university library.) On-line book vendors may also have them.

Resources:

Tucker, Arthur O., and Thomas DeBaggio. 2000. The Big Book of Herbs. Interweave Press, Loveland, CO. p. 314–338.

McNaughton, Virginia. 2000. Lavender: The Grower’s Guide. Timber Press, Portland, OR (orig. pub. Blooming Books, Australia). 180 p.