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which lavender is best

Lavender is a beloved addition to New Zealand gardens, renowned for its aromatic foliage, gorgeous blooms, and resilience. If you’re wondering which lavender is best for your needs, the answer depends on your garden’s conditions and how you plan to use this versatile shrub. Whether you’re keen on a classic cottage look, want to attract pollinators, or hope to harvest fragrant flowers for crafts and cooking, there’s a variety to suit every taste and purpose.

Lavender 'Lavish Blue' plants with light purple-blue flowers.

Lavender 'Lavish Blue'

Lavender 'Lavish Blue' is a beautifully compact lavender variety that produces masses of vibrant blue flowers held proudly above soft, aromatic foliage. Flowering from spring through summer, it brings fragrance, colour, and a calming presence to New Zealand gardens. Its neat, rounded form makes it perfect for pathways, borders, pots, and cottage style displays. This hardy and easy care lavender is ideal for gardeners wanting reliable flowering and a fragrant feature plant.

Suited to regions: Subtropical, Temperate
Plant type: Shrubs
Height: 50 cm
Spread: 50 cm
Flowering time: Spring, Autumn, Winter
Garden uses: Borders, Containers, Hedging, Living areas, Paths & Steps, Pool areas
Garden styles: Backyard, City & Courtyard, Formal, Frontyard, Japanese, Modern, Rock
Lavender 'The Queen' shrub with pink flowers.

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. This hardy and easy care lavender is perfect for gardeners wanting reliable flowering and a striking, beautifully scented feature plant.

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
Lavender 'Major' plants with purple flowers above olive-green foliage.
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...

From$24.15
Lavender 'Castilliano White' plant with white and purple flowers.
Lavender 'Castilliano White'

Lavender 'Castilliano White' is a striking lavender variety celebrated for its pure white flowers held above aromatic grey green foliage. Flowering...

From$24.15
Lavender 'Bee Brilliant' plant with elegant purple and pink flowers.
Lavender 'Bee Brilliant'

'Bee Brilliant' is a variety of Lavender that grows as a compact shrub and carries masses of exquisite, small, dark purple flower spikes from spring...

From$23.63
Lavender 'Fairy Wings Whimsical' plant with masses of light pink flowers.
Lavender 'Fairy Wings Whimsical'

Lavender 'Whimsical Fairy Wings' is a captivating lavender variety admired for its soft pink purple blooms topped with delicate wing-like bracts...

From$24.15
Lavender 'Ruffles Vanillaberry' cream-coloured flowers above green foliage.
Lavender 'Ruffles Vanillaberry'

Lavender 'Ruffles Vanillaberry' is a standout lavender variety known for its ruffled pink purple blooms and aromatic grey green foliage. Flowering...

From$25.53
Lavender 'Love Heart' two-tone pink flowers above green foliage.
Lavender 'Love Heart'

Lavender 'Love Heart' is a charming lavender variety adored for its soft pink purple flowers and aromatic grey green foliage. Flowering from early...

From$24.15
Lavandula 'The Princess' shrub in a garden featuing elegant pink flowers.
Lavender 'The Princess'

Lavender 'The Princess' is a striking lavender variety renowned for its vibrant pink flowers and attractive grey green foliage. Blooming from spring...

From$25.53
Lavender 'Sensation Rose' shrubs with bright pink flowers in a garden.
Lavender 'Sensation Rose'

Lavender 'Sensation Rose' is a vibrant lavender variety adored for its rich rose coloured blooms and aromatic grey green foliage. Flowering from...

From$24.15
Very elegant Wisteria 'Lavender Lace' blue flowers.
Wisteria Lavender Lace

Wisteria ‘Lavender Lace’ is a graceful flowering climber admired for its long cascading racemes of soft lavender flowers that appear in spring. The...

From$30.29
Santolina chamaecyparissus plants with grey foliage and yellow flowers.
Santolina chamaecyparissus (Cotton Lavender)

Santolina chamaecyparissus (Cotton Lavender) is a hardy evergreen shrublet known for its silver grey foliage and compact, rounded form. This...

From$24.77
hemerocallis-wee-william-mullis--4
Hemerocallis Wee William Mullis (Wee William Mullis Daylily)

Hemerocallis Wee William Mullis is a variety of the commonly known, Day Lily, and features very showy flowers. The lavender and cream-coloured...

From$20.18
Lagerstroemia 'Best Red' red flowers amidst dark purple foliage.
Lagerstroemia 'Best Red'

Lagerstroemia ‘Best Red’ is a standout crepe myrtle prized for its intense red summer flowers and strong upright tree form. Flowering through the...

From$358.98
Orange 'Best Seedless' orange fruit with orange flesh.
Orange 'Best Seedless'

The ‘Best Seedless’ Orange is a superb variety prized for its deliciously sweet, seedless fruit and easy-to-peel skin. Perfect for New Zealand...

From$50.99
Lavender 'Lavish Blue'

Did you find what you are looking for?

You might be interested in exploring related Latin Names - Hemerocallis, Lagerstroemia, Lavender, Orange Santolina and Wisteria, or related Categories - Orange Trees, Deciduous Climbers, Perennials Evergreen Shrubs and Deciduous Trees.

Search which lavender is best

Choosing the Best Lavender for Your Garden

The best lavender for you depends on several factors: climate, soil type, space, and your intended use. Some lavenders handle humid coastal conditions better than others, while certain varieties flower longer or have particularly fragrant blooms.

Lavender dentata (French Lavender) is highly recommended for regions with milder winters, as it flowers almost year-round in warm climates. Famous for its finely serrated leaves and fluffy flower heads, Lavender dentata adds texture and soft fragrance to borders or pots. Because of its robust growth and extended flowering season, it’s an ideal choice for those looking to create an effortless splash of colour and perfume in the garden. Explore Lavender dentata (French Lavender) if you prefer a fuss-free, long-blooming option.

Top Lavender Varieties and Their Best Uses

For gardeners wanting exceptionally vivid blue flowers, Lavender 'Lavance Blue' stands out. This compact English lavender forms neat mounds, making it perfect for edging paths or planting in pots. Its scent is sweet, and it’s prized for use in sachets, baking, and essential oils. If you’re dreaming of a low hedge with deep colour and fragrance, Lavance Blue may be the best lavender for you.

If you’re after a robust plant that thrives in New Zealand’s diverse conditions, Lavender 'Super' is celebrated for its outstanding flower spikes and silvery foliage. ‘Super’ lavender is a strong performer for both landscaping and harvesting, as its long stems make it ideal for cutting and drying. It’s highly recommended for those who enjoy fresh arrangements and lavender crafts.

For a show-stopping display, Lavender 'The Queen' delivers regal charm with its intensely coloured, purple-blue flowers and vigorous growth. It provides both visual appeal and alluring aroma, attracting bees and butterflies to your garden. If you appreciate lush, classic lavender rows or large statement pots, The Queen is hard to surpass.

Companion Planting and Alternative Choices

Looking to create year-round interest? Pair your lavender with other striking garden specimens such as Dahlia Lavender Perfection for contrasting flower shapes and a continual succession of blooms. This combination brings both fragrance and vibrant colour to any sunny border.

So, Which Lavender Is Best?

The ultimate answer to "which lavender is best" depends on your climate, garden design, and personal preferences. For long flowering, choose French types like Lavender dentata; for compact, fragrant hedges, Lavance Blue leads the way; for optimal flower production, Lavender 'Super' excels; and for bold, beautiful garden impact, Lavender 'The Queen' makes an unforgettable statement. No matter your choice, each variety offers distinct qualities to help you create the ideal garden retreat.


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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.

–The Plant Company

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