14 English lavender varieties: Hidcote, Munstead and more

Updated on 22 September 2026Published on 2 January 2023

English lavender is one of the most famous lavenders. Many varieties exist to decorate our gardens. These tend to be hardier than other types of lavender, making them great for planting in colder areas.

English lavender at a glance
Name	Lavandula angustifolia
How many varieties	200+
Height	2+ to 4 feet (60-90 cm)
Exposure	full sun
Soil	ordinary, well-drained
Foliage	evergreen
Flowering	early summer to early autumn (weather-dependent)

Top three English lavender cultivars

These three are the most famous of all, and are easy to find in garden stores. They’re beautiful and grow easily. Fragrance is nice, too.

Hidcote lavender

This is a short lavender with stark purple flowers. Hidcote lavender is a low-growing variety, about 20 inches (50cm) tall. It has a mounded growth habit which grows into beautiful symmetrical mounds.

Hidcote english lavender — Hidcote forms low, beautifully symmetrical purple-flowered mounds

From the original cultivar, new sports appeared that are now highly prized:

pink flowers with the ‘Hidcote Pink‘ variety
bluer ones with the ‘Hidcote Blue‘
taller growth with the ‘Hidcote Giant‘ cultivar: a much larger version, achieving heights of 36 to 40 inches (90 to 100 cm)

Munstead lavender

Munstead lavender is the same size as Hidcote lavender, but its leaves and stems aren’t as lush and bushy. They let light pass through and are better for wildflower gardens since they don’t commandeer all the sunlight around them.

English lavender Munstead — Munstead’s silvery violet flowers blend into wispy leafage

Flowers are a silvery violet color, with a delicate fragrance.

They don’t stand out as much as those of the Hidcote cultivar because they blend into the wispy, silvery leafage.

All in all a short, 12-inch-tall (30cm) variety with flowers that are a deep violet color, strong fragrance

Nana alba lavender

Nana Alba english lavender — Nana alba, the most popular white, stays dwarf

The most popular white lavender is the Nana alba cultivar. It’s a dwarf variety that doesn’t grow very tall. The “alba” part of the name stands for white, in latin. Strictly speaking, this cultivar is an English lavender hybrid (lavandin).

Flowers aren’t as fragrant as those of purple-colored lavenders.

There is a “alba” variety that grows taller, so only choose the ‘Nana alba’ if you prefer smaller shrubs, for example if you’re growing it in pots.

Hidcote, Munstead or Nana alba: which to choose

The three best-known English lavenders are all easy to find in garden stores, but they differ in height, flower colour and the effect they give in a border. Here is what sets them apart, plus the taller sport of Hidcote.

Hidcote, Munstead or Nana alba: which to choose
Variety	Height	Flower colour	What it offers
Hidcote	About 20 inches (50 cm)	Stark purple	Dense, symmetrical mounds of lush foliage
Hidcote Giant	36 to 40 inches (90 to 100 cm)	Purple	A much larger version of the original Hidcote
Munstead	Same size as Hidcote	Silvery violet, delicate fragrance	Airy leaves let light through, ideal in wildflower gardens
Nana alba	Dwarf, doesn’t grow very tall	White	The small white lavender, suited to pots

Nana alba is less fragrant than the purple-flowered cultivars, so choose it for colour and compact size rather than scent.

More English lavender varieties

Since this lavender is one of the most resistant and fragrant, many breeders are attentive to any new sports. New varieties with interesting traits are much appreciated on this market!

Types of English lavender — Breeders keep adding varieties with new colours and traits

L. angustifolia ‘Sarah’ – grows 6 to 24 inches (15 to 60 cm) tall. Cultivar with violet flowers
L. angustifolia ‘Jean Davis’ – wonderful light-pink flowers, grows to 20 or 24 inches (50-60 cm)
L. angustifolia ‘Imperial Gem’ – summer blooming, narrow silver-green leaves
L. angustifolia ‘Loddon pink’ – tight shape and pale pink flowers
L. angustifolia ‘Twickle purple’ – long violet flowers, neatly staged
L. angustifolia ‘Arctic Snow’ – one of the white lavenders, wonderful white blooming
L. angustifolia ‘Rosea’ – wonderful, clear pink variety
L. angustifolia ‘Little Lady’ – (also called ‘Batlad’) light blue flowers in late summer
L. angustifolia ‘Melissa lilac’ – soft lilac color once opened, dark violet while still closed
L. angustifolia ‘Platinum blond’ – leaves are what stand out here, they have ivory-colored rims
L. angustifolia ‘Little Lottie’ – particularly fragrant

Learn more about lavender

English lavender – French lavender – Lavender care

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between Hidcote and Munstead lavender?

They reach the same size, but Hidcote is lush and bushy while Munstead’s leaves and stems are thinner and let light pass through. That makes Munstead the better choice in a wildflower planting, since it doesn’t commandeer all the sunlight around it. Hidcote’s stark purple flowers also stand out more, whereas Munstead’s silvery violet blooms blend into its wispy foliage.

Is there a white English lavender?

Yes. The most popular white one is ‘Nana alba’, a dwarf cultivar whose name comes from the Latin for white; strictly speaking it is an English lavender hybrid, a lavandin. ‘Arctic Snow’ is another white-flowered variety with wonderful white blooming. Bear in mind that white lavenders are not as fragrant as the purple-flowered ones.

When does English lavender flower?

English lavender blooms from early summer through to early autumn, though the exact timing shifts with the weather. Some cultivars are later than others: ‘Little Lady’ opens its light blue flowers in late summer, while ‘Imperial Gem’ is described simply as summer blooming. Foliage stays evergreen the rest of the year.

Which English lavender is best for growing in pots?

Choose a dwarf cultivar. ‘Nana alba’ is recommended when you prefer smaller shrubs, for instance in pots — take care, because there is also an ‘alba’ variety that grows much taller. Other compact options named here include ‘Little Lady’ and Munstead, a short 12-inch (30 cm) variety with strongly fragrant deep violet flowers.

Images: Pixabay: Ilona, Sabrina Wisian, Albrecht Fietz, Mariya Muschard, Tanya Kurt

Written by Gaspard Lorthiois | Loves helping out, especially when it comes to growing things. Worked in herbal medicine, runs a farm, and dabbles in tech. Master's degree and engineer.

La page de Gaspard Lorthiois