Fall Planning for Spring Planting: 4 resources to help you create the lavender field of your dreams

Fall is upon us. We know this because we’re finally remembering to breathe.

As farmers and home gardeners, we’re always moving forward, nurturing the spaces around us and doing a bit of growing ourselves. We learn, we try new things, we fail, we succeed, we learn some more. And we keep on moving.

Well, it’s the time of year when it’s okay to slow down, look around and admire your hard work.

It’s also the time of year to start thinking about what’s next!

Yes, already! Because fall planning makes for smooth spring planting – and smooth spring plantings make for sweet summer success.

So if you’re already dreaming about next year’s terrace of Lavandin or rows of English Lavenders – this post is for you. Take a step toward your dream by ordering lavender plants this fall for spring planting.

Early Birds receive 5% 0ff

(Early Bird deadline is mid-October each year.)

To receive Wholesale pricing, 160 plant minimum order is required

Lavender Association of Western Colorado(LAWC) members receive 5% off on orders placed before October 31

Final deadline for all custom orders is November 30th each year

Click here to become a LAWC member

We only ship 1″ plug trays, all other sizes are farm pick-up only

To help you get started, here are four great resources we’ve put together for planning your spring lavender planting this fall.

1. Our SCOFLavenderAvailabilitySpring2019OrderForm 2019 tells you what varieties we offer: Use it as a quick reference.
2. Want to maximize your bloom season? Use this Bloom Chart to create a balance of early, mid-season and late bloomers.
3. Know your Zone. The USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map has created this easy-to-use tool to find your hardiness zone by typing in your ZIP code.
4. We saved the best for last: This post! Below, dive a bit deeper into the 38 different varieties of lavender that we propagate here at Sage Creations Organic Farm – and how you can use them.

Here we go!

Certified organic lavender plants available at Sage Creations Organic Farm, and their qualities

*Cultivars marked with an asterisk are available in limited quantities, as we only have so many Mother plants to propagate from. First come, first served.

**Cultivars marked with two asterisks are not available at wholesale price.

Not all cultivars are listed that we have in our greenhouses.  To see full selection come out to the farm!

Lavandula angustifolia, aka English Lavender or True Lavender

Lavandula angustifolia is a species. The English lavender varieties or cultivars tend to be more compact plants with shorter spikes and sweet aromas. English varieties are the most recommended varieties for culinary use. They’re also great for crafting and tend to be quite cold hardy.

When planting, space plants 2.5 feet apart. In zone 5, lavandula angustifolia tends to bloom sometime in June. Some English varieties are double bloomers (blooming in summer and fall), while some are continuous bloomers. Their flowers come in a wide range of colors.

1. L.ang. Betty’s Blue: 18-20″ height · full sun · deep blue-violet flowers on short spikes · silver foliage · great for fresh and dried bouquets and wreaths · double bloom · Zones 5-9
   Origin: Nichols Garden Nursery, Albany, Oregon
2. L.ang Blue Mountain**: 12-18″ height · stunning, compact, dark blue-purple flower heads and compact growth · very fragrant · space 2’ apart · Zones 5-9
3. L.ang. Buena Vista: 18-24″ height · dark purple flowers on light green foliage · fan-like growth · double bloom in fall · great dried · excellent for culinary use · proven to withstand cold temperatures · space 30” apart · Zones 5-9
   Origin: Created by Dr. Donald Roberts in 1981 in Independence, Oregon, this slow-growing lavender has a strong fragrance, distinctive dark blue calyxes and lighter blue flowers. This beautiful landscape plant has light green foliage, and its bloom habit appears a bit wavy, looking more informal than other English varieties. Bees tend to flock to this dependable pollinator.
4. L.ang. Coconut Ice**: 24-30″ height · bright white-pink flowers contrast brilliantly with deep purple varieties · compact · Zones 5-9
5. L.ang. Croxton’s Wild: 30-36″ height · full sun · light blue spring flowers with sweet fragrance · evergreen shrub · robust and early bloom · great for fresh-cut, crafts and culinary use · Zones 5-9
   Origin: Introduced by T. DeBaggio, Arglington, Virgina 1994. Pauline Croxton of Palcerville, CA provided seed that was collected from wild European populations, and DeBaggion selected the taxon.
6. L.ang. Dark Supreme*: 20-36″ height · vibrant, light violet flowers with white centers · great for drying · Zones 5-9
7. L.ang. Faire Pink**: 20-24″ height · fragrant, pink delicate flowers · Zones 5-9
8. L.ang. Folgate*: 20-24″ height · bright violet flowers on 10-12” stems · compact bush · evergreen shrub · early bloom · withstands cold temperatures · fresh or dried arrangements and culinary use · Zones 5-9
   Origin: developed by Linn Chilvers of Norfolk Lavender, Norfolk, England 1933.
9. L.ang. French Fields*: 20-24” height · light purple flowers · early, continuous bloomer · fresh-cut and dry · Zones 5-9
10. L.ang. Hidcote Pink*: 20-30″ height · large variety with pink flowers · sweet fragrance · Zones 5-9
    Origin: Introduced by Major Lawrence Johnston before 1957
11. L.ang. Hidcote Superior*: 18-20″ height · purple cluster flowers · silver foliage · double bloomer · sweet scent · Zones 5-9
    Origin: Jelito Perennial Seeds Ltd of Schwarmstedt, Germany, 2002 · improved spread, height and color
12. L.ang. Imperial Gem*: 12-20″ height · bright violet flowers with white centers · compact plant · strong aroma · great for cutting fresh and bunching · Zones 5-9
    Origin: Norfolk, 1960’s · originally called ‘Nana 1’ · awarded an AGM in 2002
13. L.ang. Irene Doyle: 20-24″ height · vibrant violet flowers · fragrant · prolific double bloomer · fall flowers are produced on a branched stem, while spring flowers are produced on a single stem · good oil producer can produce commercial oil · Zone 5
    Origin: Developed by Thomas DeBaggio, who mass-selected seed and introduced it to the trade in 1981 · named after his mother-in-law, Irene Doyle
14. L.ang Lodden Blue*: 18-24″ height · dark purple flowers on long stems · nice aroma · compact, semi-dwarf shrub · Zones 5-9
    Origin: T. Carlisle, Berkshire, England, 1959
15. L.ang. Maillette: 18-20″ height · blue-violet blooms with strong perfume · silver foliage · top producer of high quality essential oil · one of the largest English lavenders · Zones 5-9
    Origin: Mr. Maillette, Valensole, France, 1959
16. L.ang. Melissa: 18-20″ height · full sun · light pink and white flowers with wonderful fragrance · sweet and peppery flavor is great in sweet and savory culinary dishes · Zones 5-9
    Origin: Hevelingen Herb Nursery, Newburg, Oregon, 1994
17. L.ang. Miss Katherine: 12-36″ height · full sun · fragrant, pink-brushed flowers with red tints on long stems · evergreen shrub · exceptional culinary · Zones 5-9
    Origin: Introduced in 1992 by Norfolk Lavender, Norfolk, England · awarded AGM in 2002
18. L.ang. Purple Bouquet*: 18-24″ height · fragrant, dark purple blooms on long stems · evergreen shrub · double bloom · great fresh-cut and dried · culinary · Zones 5-9
19. L.ang. Royal Velvet: 18-20″ height · full sun · deep violet flowers bloom early summer · evergreen shrub · double bloomer · nice for crafts and bouquets · Zones 5-9
    Origin: Van Hevelingen Herb Nursery, Newburg, Oregon, 1980’s
20. L.ang. Sachet*: 18-24″ height · purple-blue flowers on 12″ stems · sweet fragrance · early summer blooms · great for culinary use and in sachets · Zones 5-9
    Origin: D. Roberts, independence, Oregon, 1988
21. L.ang. Sarah*: 18-24″ height · dark purple flowers · prolific bloomer when mature · great for crafts and dried floral bouquets · Zones 5-9
    Origin: American cultivar from California, late 1980’s
22. L.ang Seals 7 Oaks**: 24-30″ height · lavender blooms with red tint in the middle · aromatic variety · Zones 5-9
    Origin: Plant brought back from the UK by the Van Hevelingens, 1980’s · probably misleadingly labelled as from the Herb Farm at Seal, Sevenoaks
23. L.ang. Sharon Roberts**: 30” height · dark purple flowers · all season bloomer · suitable for ornamental hedging · Zones 5-9
    Origin: D. Roberts, Albany, Oregon, 1989
24. L.ang. Skylark**: 18-24″ height · aromatic lavender blooms · prolific double bloomer · airy-fairy look when coming into bloom · Zones 5-9
    Origin: A super selection from Skylark Nursery, near Kenwood, California, mid-1980’s
25. L.ang. True Munstead: 18-24″ height · medium purple spikes on short stems · cold hardy early bloomer · Zone 5
26. L.ang. Tucker’s Early: 18-24″ height · silver-green foliage · very fragrant and early to bloom · double bloomer · cross between Mitchum Grey and Two Seasons lavender varieties · Zones 5-9
    Origin: Thomas DeBaggio, Arlington, Virginia, 1993
27. L.ang. Twickle Purple: 18-24″ height · pale purple flowers on gray-green · very cold hardy · Zone 5
    Origin: Reputed to have been raised at Kasteel Twickel, Delden in southern Holland before 1922 · discovered by the late Baroness of the estate
28. L.ang. Wycoff: 20-24″ height · gray-green foliage with dark violet, fragrant flowers · long, sturdy stems · Northwest original · Zone 5
    Origin: developed by L.J. Wyckoff of Seattle, pioneer of lavender breeding in Pacific north-west, 1950’s

Lavandula x. intermedia, aka Lavandin

L. x. intermedia are sterile hybrids of L. angustifolia (English Lavender) and L. latifolia (Spike Lavender) – developed for the French perfume industry in the early 19th century. Plants tend to be larger with long stems and long spikes. Flowers have a strong camphor smell and high oil content, and they offer a range of colors. Lavandin varieties are great for crafting and oil production.

When planting, space plants 3-4 feet apart. Lavandin varietes begin blooming in July.

29. L.x.i. Edelweiss: 24-30″ height · full sun · long, bright white flowers on long stems · evergreen shrub with compact habit · member of Grosso family · nice accent in garden · great in fresh and dried bouquets · Zones 5-9
30. L.x.i. Fat Spike Grosso: 24-30″ height · full sun · long, fat spikes of fragrant violet flowers · evergreen shrub · high oil content · Zones 5-9
    Origin: Came from DeBaggio Nursery via professor Art Tucker, who obtained original material Grosso from two sources, early1980’s · from the south of France via Viscomte de Nouilles and the RHS
31. L.x.i. Gros Bleu: 20-24″ height · deep blue-velvet spikes with light and fresh, clean fragrance · vigorous producer in the Grosso family · flowers are beautiful fresh-cut and dried, and in dark blue potpourri · showy landscape plant · Zones 5-9
    Origin: Possibly from the Chambre d’Agriculture farm, Mevouillon, France
32. L.x.i. Impress Purple: 24-30″ height · full sun · deep purple, striated silver flower heads on 12-15” stems · strong fragrance · evergreen shrub · nice oil producer · great dried in bouquets and potpourri · excellent for cut flowers · suitable hedge · Zones 5-9
    Origin: France· originally called ‘41/70’ · also known as ‘Arabian Nights’
33. L.x.i. Super: 24-36″ height · fragrant, light violet flowers on green-grey foliage · best perfumes of all hybrid lavenders · high oil content · prized for distillation · double bloomer if covered during winter · Zones 1-6
    Origin: Etablissements Chiris, Grasse, France, around 1956
34. L.x.i. True Grosso: 24-30″ height · full sun · dark violet flowers with fan-like blooming habit · perfect 180° dome, like a hedgehog · tight foliage on evergreen shrub · all-purpose plant, great for oil, bundles, and potpourri · high oil content · Zones 5-9
    Origin: Pierre Grosso, Vauluse, France, about 1972
35. L.x.i. Hidcote Giant: 24-36″ height · full sun · dark purple flowers on long stems with fat heads · strong, long-lasting frangrance · evergreen shrub · good for drying and making lavender wands, crafts and dried bouquets · good for hedging · Zones 5-9
    Origin: Major L Johnston, Hidcote Manor, England, 1957. Introduced in 1958.
36. L.x.i. Tuscan Blue: 24-30″ height · light lavender-colored flowers on long spikes · light fragrance, robust plant · Zones 5-9

Lavandula X. chaytorae

A cross between True Lavender and Lavandula lanata (Woolly Lavender), these varieties are vibrant and hardy. Their silvery, fuzzy foliage looks stunning throughout the year. Their bright blooms have a gentle, sweet fragrance on long stems.

37. L. x. chaytorae. Silver Frost**: 18-24″ height · lilac-purple blossoms on 12-14” stems · soft silver foliage holds its color all year · continual bloomer · also known as ‘Kathleen Elizabeth’ · good for landscaping · Zones 7-10
    Origin: Van Hevelingen Herb Nursery, Newberg, Oregon, 1991
38. L. x. chaytorae Ana Luisa*: 30-36″ height · stunning, deep dark purple blossoms on long stems · silver foliage · proved to over winter in Western CO · Zones 5-9
    Origin: Van Hevelingen Herb Nursery, Newberg, Oregon, 1995

Sources:

Lavender, The Genus Lavandula Edited by Maria Lis-Balchim

The Genus Lavandula by Tim Upton and Susyn Andrews

The Lavender Lover’s Handbook by Sarah Berringer Bader