what is the difference between lavender and heather plants

tall and wide, while English lavender stays much smaller and more compact, although it may grow up to 2 feet (61 cm.). Lilac fragrance is way more intense than lavender's one despite being both on the sweet side. 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. Both plant types are a good addition to your garden due to their ability to change color all year round. (transitive) To decorate or perfume with lavender. If white isnt what youre picturing, a lovely deep red might be more your bag, which is what Red Jewel produces in the winter. Do you know how to tell the difference? Snow Princess grows to a maximum height of 6 inches, which makes this an attractive petite option. Hidcote Giant lavandin (Lavandula x intermedia Hidcote Giant), https://landing.mailerlite.com/webforms/landing/i5w4g1, 20 Different Flowers That Almost Look Like Daisies, 12 Full-Sun Annuals That Will Keep Your Garden Blooming All Summer Long, 15 Tall Perennial Flowers To Add Vertical Interest And Hight to Your Garden, 20 Best Flowers That Attract Hummingbirds to Your Garden. Lavender can be used to add flavor and color to culinary recipes in either fresh or dried form. The plant itself can grow up to 10 inches tall. Some of these species have a unique growth requirement. These flowers are very eye-catching, and they look like stars. Thank Amber for the info at hand very interesting. Like many plant genera, the heather is particularly difficult to classify, there are many types, subtypes, and varieties which can get mixed up. Explore More. The goal of the The African Garden is to provide a guide for anyone wishing to learn about plants and flowers. The fruit is a capsule that contains small globose seeds. 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. It is characterized by ribbed, or toothed leaves, which makes it very attractive for its foliage. The foliage creates a lovely display in itself, being a glorious yellow-gold. Spanish Lavender. Ballerina French lavender (Lavandula stoechas Ballerina), 11. 'Pastor's Pride', 'Vera' , and 'Royal Velvet' are all known to re-bloom when trimmed in mid-summer, which makes any one a fine choice for a knot garden. 'Pastor's Pride' English Lavender. The Bell heather is a native of Central and West Europe. Alba Nana English Lavender (Lavandula Angustifolia Alba Nana), 4. A heath plant that likes direct sunlight, John Kampa is useful if you have a lot of empty space that needs to be filled, as they reproduce very easily, but they dont get very tall. There are deepened green, silver, bronze, and gold-colored flowers. There are some distinct differences between English and Spanish lavender, one being their looks and another being their uses. Heaths generally grow about 12 in. Phenomenal Lavandin (Lavandula x intermedia Phenomenal), 20. 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. During the hotter days of summer, youll need to make sure to water your plants thoroughly. 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. The anterior lobes are longer. Learn how your comment data is processed. Many members of the genus are cultivated extensively in temperate climates as ornamental plants for . Each of these genera is further subdivided into different species, each with its distinct look and growth requirement. In this article we will be looking at the differences between lavender and lilac. LavenderTips.com is your one-stop shop for all things lavender. They are fresh or dried. Flowering dogwood trees, shady willow trees and tropical palm trees all come in various sizes and work well for front yards or backyard gardens. They also do well on rockeries, depending on the variety. She has a passion for lavender and has been growing and studying the plant for many years. she wore a lavender silk dress; romantic designs in old-fashioned tones of primrose, lavender, and rose. Lavender as an evergreen shrub grows upright and produces sweet-smelling, colorful flowers. If youre after a heath plant which will produce white flowers with dark red tips until May, Springwood White is the variety to go for. Lavender typically grows to be about three feet tall and has long, thin, purple flowers. They have different qualities and even smells, and even differing visual qualities, habits and needs. This variety of English lavender has noble origins when it comes to gardening, actually, royalty, as it was introduced in 1916 by Gertrude Jekill! Salvia is an aromatic plant. The spikes with the flowers tend to come in groups of three; each stem divides before the inflorescence and gives us a few. Read on to learn more about nine different types of lavender and a few of their commonvarieties along with tips on how to grow. 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. To avoid hybridization, as the two species do cross pollinate easily. Lavandula angustifolia 'Thumbelina Leigh'. Lavender flowers have gray stems, whereas sage flowers have purple stems. Both plants have culinary and medicinal applications. However there are some key differences between the two in terms of growth, longevity and flowering. Its worth mentioning that when we refer to the heather, we can actually mean two different plants, the heather and the heath, and while they are part of the same plant family, Ericaceae, they are different plants entirely. Also known as the Scottish heather, Firefly produces purple and red flowers, though these can vary during the season. 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. Lavender heather can vary in shades of purple. Heather plants have fluffy stems that are evergreen with flowers that come in a variety of red, white, purple, pink, and lavender. It has a slow growth and leaves that are evergreen. It is quote varied; you can find different heights and colors, mostly white, pink, violet and blue (and lavender, of course). 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. Provence Lavandin (Lavandula x intermedia Provence), 18. They need full sun, and its a rarer heather plant in that it needs warmer conditions in order to thrive. One of the hardier heath plants, Orient produces lilac and pink blooms from February until April, despite any adverse weather the season may throw at it. The plants grow up to 8 inches in length and 14 inches in width. Foliage & Branching Habits: Veronica is from the plantain family. It is also sweeter and more pungent compared to lavender. Hybrids created by crossing Lavandula angustifolia and Lavandula latifolia (hardy to USDA zone 7), are called lavandins. Whatever type of heather plant you choose, it will add a wealth of color to your garden. The plant can grow up to a height of 60-90 cm. Water both the lavender and heather to keep the ground moist for a few days afterward, to ensure the plants are getting what they need. The Calluna type can be found in the wilderness in Europe, North America, and Southern Asia. To get the best out of this plant, it needs to be in a sunny position, and the roots need somewhere where they can spread, as compacted roots can hamper this plants growth. One of the longest blooming heath plants available, Springwood Pink blooms from December until May with fantastic pink flowers, and can reach a slightly taller height of 10 inches. Pink English Lavender (Lavandula Angustifolia Rosea), 5. 3. Butterfly Lavender Papillon (Lavandula pedunculata subsp. 3. Alexandra is a type of heather that needs acidic soil in order to grow well. Hardiness: 'Musntead' English lavender is hardy to USDA zones 5 to 9. 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. It's a rare but beautiful example of a heather plant variant. As an adjective lavender is having a pale purple colour. cotton lavender, sea lavender. The plant's foliage changes throughout the season. This heath flower also has heliotrope flowers, which are pinkish purple, and only flower until May. 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. Excellent for all types of informal gardens (including city, courtyard and gravel gardens), Hidcote lavender will also look and smell great in pots and containers. If you want a sweetly cheeky variety of English lavender, Little Lottie is a bit different from her sisters because the flowers are of two colors: some are white and some light magenta, and they mix in the inflorescences, forming myriad combinations of purity and soft feelings.This secured the Award of Garden Merit by the Royal Horticultural Society for Little Lottie in 2002, and has made her one of the most popular varieties of English lavender for pots and containers. You should join our newsletter to get all the updated delivered to your inbox. Laurie Black. This is largely because lilac is poisonous when consumed, while lavender is an aromatic plant that perfumes teas and baked goods beautifully. 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. 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. Pretty Polly French lavender (Lavandula stoechas Pretty Polly), 14. Botanical name: Lavandula. Along with the other types of lavender, you have plenty of options to choose the right variety for your home or garden. This makes this lavender mora suitable to even less formal gardens than other types, as it will look less wild, and also for containers and flower beds where you wish the blooms to stand out. With typically purple flowers in regular spikes, the inflorescence of Portuguese lavender is very elegant if not showy individually. Gardeners call them ears (like bunny ears) and they provide the most attractive visual effect of the plant. Dark Beauty Heather Plant (Calluna vulgaris). One of the most compact varieties, 'Thumbelina Leigh' grows dark bluish-lavender plump flower spikes with a strong and pleasant scent. Lavender hedges require no water or fertilizer in the spring or summer. Heather is native to Europe, North Africa, and Asia. The heather flower is also known as the Queen of Winter (see also Flower Names Beginning With Q), as they flower during some of the toughest conditions the weather can throw at them. It can turn whole fields into oases of peace and beauty; it is the all time favorite of pollinators, and this alone makes her special among plants, It creates seas of beauty and color and, well placed in your garden, it can turn it into a hazy but glittering dream, Maybe it is thanks to its intoxicating scent, maybe that galaxy of purple flowers, with lavender, really, the divide between waking and sleeping becomes blurred, and with her, we all slip off into a fantastic, light and peaceful world of dreams. When shes not on the land, Amber loves informing people of new ideas/things related to gardening, especially organic gardening, houseplants, and growing plants in a small space. However, both lavender and lilac have similar color shades and similar petals. Non-hybrid seeds come from plants that are naturally pollinated. Im hooked now? Rosemary may taste slightly bitter, especially when eaten raw. According to reports, heather plants can survive in zones 4 to 7. Growing methods It's one variant cultivar of the Erica Carnea, and it has flowers that bloom around October to April. 2. This heather can reach up to 20 inches tall, and attracts a lot of pollinators. Pretty Polly French lavender (Lavandula stoechas Pretty Polly), 14. Lavender is frequently used in cosmetics and is sometimes described as "floral and sweet . After moving to Washington, to be with grandchildren and great grandchildren I have been trying to grow lavender. This variety is much more commonly cultivated and is typical in gardens and containers. The heath only refers to species within the genus Erica, while Heather refers to species within the genus heather. Alba Nana English Lavender (Lavandula Angustifolia Alba Nana), 3. The plant develops and grows sterile seeds. Water the lavender in well. The Jana plant is another variant of the Calluna Vulgaris. Mostly, these lovely plants will take care of themselves. In summer, they deepen to a lovely, dark and rich green. When we stroll through the back garden, we notice an informal perennial flowerbed. However, if we go off of general descriptions, Heather typically has a purplish or bluish hue to it while Lavender is more of a light purple color. The only thing Spring Torch really hates is strong wind. Do not cut the old growth. Youll also need to prune them after theyve finished flowering, as this will help them reserve energy for next years growth. The symbolism of the heather flower can be found here, and the origins of the common name can be found here. English lavender is Lavendula angustifolia. Im pretty good at growing stuff from seed, but had tried lavenders about 6 times. They are of a bright and very beautiful shade of magenta, and they are big enough to see the veins in them. pedunculata), 16. Lavender heather is a symbol of loneliness in addition to being a symbol of isolation. The differences between sage and lavender are not as great as they appear. Hidcote English Lavender (Lavandula Angustifolia Hidcote), 2. 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. 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. 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. The plethora of flowers add tremendous color to any space, and this is how they can be seen for miles in their natural habitat. But as they are slow-growing plants, you can easily keep on top of this. The size of the plants is another difference. What's Cooking America - Lavender - Culinary Lavender, University of California Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources: Lavenders for California Gardens, Santa Cruz Sentinel: Lavender Not Just for Soap Anymore. Lavender is a Mediterranean evergreen shrub, grown for its fragrant leaves and bee-friendly flowers. So, while heather and lavender may look similar and have some similar properties, they are not the same plant. Below, weve compiled a list of the most common varieties of Calluna vulgaris and Erica, which you can grow in your own garden. Irish Heather develops oval, dark green leaves with long spikes. Lavandula dentata also called Fringed Lavender or French Lavender, this evergreen shrub is native to Eastern and Southern Spain and derives its name from the toothed (dentate) leaves which have a richly aromatic lavender-rosemary scent. And the Daboecia type can be found mainly in Ireland. Katherine Barrington has written on a variety of topics, from arts and crafts to pets, health and do-it-yourself projects. Last month I was ale to germinate a few 6 packs of lavender. Rosemary, a silvery-tinted plant with needle-like foliage, is strikingly similar to lavender. 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. What benefits do these plants bring? It produces lavender blooms which are heavily scented, and the plant itself grows to a maximum height of 8 inches. Of a purple colour with a tint with pink and blue. Orient grows to a maximum of 6 inches tall. This is due to the characteristics of evergreen and pattern flowers with a unique overlay that makes the plants stand out from a bunch of wild plants. Unlike other types of lavender, however, it will bloom profusely but only once, from late spring into the early summer. Also known as Winter Heath or Alpine Heath, this is one of the hardiest heath plants available, and has the benefit of not needing to be pruned. Very interesting the updated delivered to your garden due to their ability to change color all year.... 6 times and leaves that are naturally pollinated in that it needs warmer conditions in order to thrive early... For your home or garden are pinkish purple, and attracts a lot of pollinators &! And do-it-yourself projects it 's a rare but beautiful example of a purple colour bee-friendly flowers sun! 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