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types of lavender plants nz

Lavender is a favourite in New Zealand gardens for its unbeatable fragrance, hardy nature, and gorgeous blooms. With so many types of lavender plants NZ gardeners can choose from, it’s easy to find the perfect variety for hedging, pot displays, pollinator patches, or simply adding Mediterranean flair to your backyard. Some lavenders are celebrated for their abundance of flowers, while others stand out with unusual colours or impressive resilience. Below, we cover the most popular lavender types you’ll find flourishing across NZ, along with some specialty varieties well-suited to our unique climate.

Lavender 'Major'

Lavender 'Major' is an impressive lavender variety known for its tall flower spikes and rich purple blooms held above aromatic grey green foliage. Flowering from spring into summer, it brings colour, fragrance, and structure to New Zealand gardens. Its upright habit makes it ideal for borders, pathways, feature planting, and cottage style designs.

Buy Lavender 'Major'

From $17.95

Suited to regions: Subtropical, Temperate

Plant type: Shrubs

Height: 60 cm

Spread: 60 cm

Flowering time: Spring, Summer

Tolerances: Hardy

Garden uses: Borders, Containers, Living areas, Paths & Steps, Pool areas

Garden styles: Backyard, City & Courtyard, Frontyard, Japanese, Mediterranean, Modern, Rock

Lavender 'The Queen'

Lavender 'The Queen' is a regal lavender variety admired for its rich purple blooms and fragrant grey green foliage. Flowering from spring into summer, it adds bold colour, elegance, and fragrance to New Zealand gardens. Its tidy, upright form makes it ideal for borders, pathways, cottage gardens, and decorative pots.

Buy Lavender 'The Queen'

From $18.95

Suited to regions: Subtropical, Temperate

Plant type: Shrubs

Height: 40 cm

Spread: 40 cm

Flowering time: Spring, Summer

Garden uses: Borders, Containers, Hedging, Living areas, Paths & Steps, Patios, Pool areas

Garden styles: Backyard, City & Courtyard, Formal, Frontyard, Japanese, Modern, Rock

Popular Types of Lavender Plants in NZ

English Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia)

Known for its classic scent and dense spikes of pale purple blooms, English lavender is ideal for formal hedges and cottage gardens. It’s highly adaptable, frost-tolerant, and loved for its culinary and medicinal uses. Varieties like Lavender 'Sensation Blue' and Lavender 'Sensation Purple' bring rich colour and fragrance to Kiwi gardens.

French Lavender (Lavandula dentata)

French lavender is easily recognised by its tooth-edged leaves and soft, lilac flowers topped with delicate bracts. It thrives in coastal and warmer regions, making it a great choice for northern NZ gardens. Beyond its pretty appearance, it’s prized for long flowering periods and drought tolerance.

Spanish Lavender (Lavandula stoechas)

Spainish lavender really stands out thanks to its dense flower heads crowned by vibrant, upright petals. This type is fast-growing, compact, and flowers through spring and summer, providing months of bees and butterflies to watch. If you’re looking for statement blooms, varieties like Lavender 'Arabian Nights' are a favourite across New Zealand.

Recommended Lavender Varieties for NZ Gardens

Choosing reliable varieties is key to success with lavender in NZ’s varying climates. Our top picks include the ever-popular Lavender 'Laveanna White', which brings pure white blooms to any garden border or container. For a resilient and weather-hardy option that originated right here in New Zealand, Lavender 'Foveaux Storm' delivers striking deep purple flowers and rich aromatic foliage. Gardeners who love shades of blue and purple will appreciate Lavender 'Sensation Blue' and Lavender 'Sensation Purple' for their showy, long-lasting blooms.

Growing Tips for Lavender in NZ

Most types of lavender plants NZ gardeners select will thrive in free-draining soil and full sun. Avoid soggy spots, and mulch with stones or gravel to keep stems dry. Prune after flowering to keep the plants compact and healthy, and plant several varieties together to create a fragrant pathway or bee-friendly border. With so many stunning options, it’s simple to mix colour, form, and flowering times for months of scent and beauty in your home garden.

Explore our collection and find the perfect lavender varieties for your NZ landscape today, like Lavender 'Laveanna White', Lavender 'Foveaux Storm', Lavender 'Sensation Blue', Lavender 'Arabian Nights', and Lavender 'Sensation Purple'. Your garden will thank you.

Contact us

Whether you need assistance finding the plant you’re looking for or you simply want to know more about who we are and what we do, we invite you to get in touch with us today. A member of The Plant Company team will get back in touch as soon as possible.

types of lavender plants nz

Lavender 'Major'

Lavender 'The Queen'

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Popular Types of Lavender Plants in NZ