What lavender varieties grow at B&B Family Farm?

B&B grows a range of lavender varieties, each with its own look, scent, and seasonal character.

Do different lavender varieties bloom at different times?

Yes. Some varieties bloom earlier or later than others, which can extend the season.

Do different lavender varieties smell different?

Yes. Lavender varieties can vary in scent, color, stem length, and intended use.

Lavender Varieties at B&B Family Farm

What is the best type of lavender to grow?

The answer depends on what you want to use it for. At B&B Family Farm, we grow a curated selection of lavender varieties—each chosen for a specific purpose like fresh bouquets, culinary use, or essential oil production.

There are hundreds of types of lavender, but not all perform well in our climate or meet our quality standards. These are the varieties we grow in Sequim based on real-world performance and how they support our farm.

🌸 Types of Lavender We Grow

Lavandula x intermedia (Lavandin)
A hybrid known for long stems, high yields, and strong essential oil production.

Lavandula angustifolia (English Lavender)
Also called “true lavender,” known for its sweet fragrance, culinary use, and premium oil quality.

Lavandula x intermedia Varieties We Grow

Grosso

Grosso is our workhorse lavender and the variety many people picture when they think of lavender. It grows large, produces long stems, and has full violet-blue flower heads.

This is one of our most versatile lavandula x intermedia varieties. It dries well, looks beautiful in bundles, and is excellent for oil production.

We use Grosso for fresh bouquets, dried bouquets, dried bud, and essential oils.

Available for U-Cut in July and August

Pro Tip:

Grosso is our most planted variety for a reason—it’s a customer favorite with long stems, bold color, and a strong, classic lavender scent.

Super

Super is grown mainly for its essential oil. It has long stems and a sweeter, softer scent than many lavandins, with less camphor than varieties like Grosso.

Stem length can vary quite a bit, so it is not our first choice for bouquet production. Its strength is oil.

We use Super for essential oil only and U-Cut.

Available for U-Cut in July and August

Lavandula angustifolia Varieties We Grow

Royal Velvet

Royal Velvet is one of our favorite varieties and one of the most useful plants on the farm. It has deep navy-blue blooms, full flower spikes, and excellent fragrance.

This is one of the best lavender varieties for customers who want a plant that performs well across multiple uses.

We use Royal Velvet for fresh bouquets, dried bouquets, dried bud, and essential oils.

Available for U-Cut in late June and July

Pro Tip:

Royal Velvet is one of the only varieties that truly does it all—perfect for bouquets, dried bud, essential oil, U-Cut, and culinary use.

Folgate

Folgate is one of the first lavenders to bloom each year. It is highly fragrant and especially popular for culinary use.

The stems tend to be crooked, and the buds do not stay on the stem as well as some other varieties. Because of that, it is better for loose bud and oil than for formal dried bundles.

We use Folgate for fresh bouquets, bud, and essential oil.

Available for U-Cut in mid June to mid July

Melissa

Melissa is a more unusual lavender with soft pinkish-lavender flowers and white-pink buds. It also has a unique sweet fragrance that stands out from more traditional varieties.

It adds visual variety to the field and offers a different character for oil and culinary interest.

We use Melissa for fresh bouquets and essential oil.

Available for U-Cut in mid June to mid July

Maillette

Maillette is grown primarily for its oil. It has a beautiful fragrance and is especially valued for its oil chemistry.

It is not the showiest plant in the field, but it makes up for that in distillation. This is one of our premium oil varieties.

We use Maillette for essential oil only.

Available for U-Cut – We do not recommend Maillette for U-Cut

Royal Purple

Royal Purple is a larger angustifolia with rich blue-violet color and a more open growth habit. It has strong ornamental appeal and good versatility.

We use Royal Purple for fresh bouquets, dried bouquets, and essential oil.

Available for U-Cut in late June and July

Hidcote Pink

Hidcote Pink is a compact lavender with short stems, dense flower heads, and soft pink blooms. It brings a different look to the field compared with more traditional blue and purple varieties.

We use Hidcote Pink for essential oils.

Available for U-Cut – We do not recommend Hidcote Pink for U-Cut (You can but its stems are very short)

Betty’s Blue

Betty’s Blue is one of the most vibrant English lavenders we grow. It has deep violet-blue blooms, strong fragrance, and excellent color retention when dried.

We use Betty’s Blue for essential oils only.

Available for U-Cut – We do not recommend Betty’s Blue for U-Cut (You can but its stems are very short)

Avice Hill

Avice Hill is a premium English lavender variety known for uniform growth, soft violet-blue blooms, and high-quality oil potential.

It is one of our most balanced varieties and works well for multiple uses on the farm.

We use Avice Hill for essential oil, and fresh bouquets.

Available for U-Cut in late June and July

Frequently Asked Questions About Lavender Varieties

What is the best lavender variety?

The best lavender variety depends on the use. For versatility, Royal Velvet is one of our favorites. For high-yield bouquets and oil production, Grosso is a top choice.

What is the difference between lavender and lavandin?

Lavandin is a hybrid with larger plants, longer stems, and higher production. English lavender is sweeter, softer, and usually preferred for culinary use. This is the main difference in english lavender vs lavandin.

Which lavender is best for cooking?

English lavender is usually best for cooking. On our farm, Folgate, Royal Velvet, Betty’s Blue, and Avice Hill are strong choices.

Which lavender is best for essential oil?

For oil, we value varieties like Grosso, Super, Hidcote Pink, Melissa, Maillette, Royal Velvet, and Avice Hill depending on the type of scent and oil profile we want.

Which lavender is best for dried bouquets?

Grosso and Royal Velvet, are strong choices for dried bouquets because they hold color and form well. They are the two varieties we choose to dry.

Learn More About Lavender

Visit B&B Family Lavender Farm

Want to see the different lavender varieties in person?

Visit B&B Family Lavender Farm during bloom season to walk the fields, compare fragrance and color, and experience the difference between English lavender and lavandin for yourself.

You can explore our farm through:

Get Directions
Shop Lavender Products