Continuing the story of Lavenders of Provence from Part 1
Most people are unaware that there are in fact three main types of lavender found in Provence: True Lavender, Aspic and Lavandin.
True Lavender ( Lavandula Angustifolia ) also called Fine Lavender or Female Lavender is grown at altitudes of between 800 to 1300 metres and its olfactory qualities and therapeutic properties of its essential oil are coveted by the perfume-makers, aromatherapists and the pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries.
Aspic ( Lavandula Latifolia ) also known as Spike Lavender or Male Lavender and is similar to fine lavender but with broader leaves, long stems with several flower spikes. Aspic grows at moderate altitude, between 600 and 800 metres and flowers slightly later in the season than True Lavender and has a very strong camphorus odour.
Lavandin ( Lavandula x intermedius etc ) is the plant most commonly seen and referred to as lavender in Provence. It is in fact a hybrid of True Lavender and Aspic which initially occurred by cross-pollination in nature. Farmers adopted this new larger plant with its heavier stems, regular rounded bushes and higher oil yields. It is however sterile and can only be propagated by cloning and cuttings.
Lavandin can be grown on dry soils at a much lower altitude than lavender with an essential oil yield four or five times that of True Lavender. The oil is not as fine as True Lavender but for many purposes such as fragrance in soaps, detergents and any product which needs the smell of lavender but without the therapeutic and fine aroma of True Lavender, Lavandin is used.
If you see a bottle of lavender essential oil with the words Grosso or Intermedia appearing on the label you can be sure that you are in fact buying Lavandin.
In Provence Lavandin makes up more than 80% of the surface area under lavender cultivation.
Jim has added a page of some of our lovely lavender images taken during our tours over the years for you to enjoy on our Lavenders of Provence page.