Lavender Varieties Explained: Angustifolia vs. Intermedia

And Why We Grow Phenomenal Lavender in Central Illinois!

Lavender is one of the world’s most beloved herbs — calming, fragrant, and incredibly versatile. But not all lavender is the same. At Moore Acres Lavender Farm here in central Illinois, we grow several varieties, yet one stands out as our primary essential‑oil crop: Lavandula × intermedia ‘Phenomenal’.

To understand why, it helps to know the two major lavender groups: angustifolia and intermedia. Each has its own personality, growing habits, and aromatic profile.

What Is Lavandula angustifolia?

Often called English lavender, angustifolia is known for its sweet, soft, floral aroma. It’s the variety most people imagine when they think of classic lavender fields.

Key Traits

• Aroma: Light, sweet, floral

• Oil profile: Higher in linalool and linalyl acetate, giving it a gentle, soothing scent

• Plant size: Compact, mounded shape

• Bloom time: Early summer

• Uses: Skincare, culinary lavender, sachets, artisan soaps, gentle aromatherapy

Popular Cultivars

• Hidcote

• Munstead

• Royal Velvet

• Melissa

Strengths

Angustifolia varieties are beloved for their fragrance and beauty. They’re excellent for small gardens, borders, and handcrafted products that benefit from a soft, elegant lavender scent.

Challenges in Illinois

Central Illinois brings humidity, heavy clay soils, freeze–thaw cycles, and wet springs — all things angustifolia dislikes. Many cultivars struggle with:

• Winter die‑off

• Root rot

• Poor vigor in humid summers

They can thrive here with careful soil prep and drainage, but they’re not the most reliable choice for large‑scale essential‑oil production.

What Is Lavandula × intermedia?

Often called lavandin, intermedia is a hybrid between angustifolia and latifolia. It’s known for being hardy, vigorous, and highly productive.

Key Traits

• Aroma: Strong, herbaceous, camphor‑leaning

• Oil profile: Higher in camphor, making it more potent and “clean” smelling

• Plant size: Large, robust, high-yielding

• Bloom time: Mid–late summer

• Uses: Essential oils, cleaning blends, candles, diffusers, farm-scale production

Popular Cultivars

• Grosso

• Super

• Impress Purple

• Phenomenal (our star)

Strengths

Intermedia varieties produce more oil per plant, tolerate humidity better, and handle temperature swings with ease. They’re the workhorses of lavender farming.

Why We Choose Phenomenal Lavender in Central Illinois…

Here at Moore Acres Lavender Farm, we’ve researched multiple varieties. Central Illinois demands a lavender that can handle:

• Hot, humid summers

• Sudden cold snaps

• Heavy clay soils

• Freeze–thaw cycles

• Wet springs

• High disease pressure

Phenomenal is the variety that consistently thrives.

1. Exceptional Winter Hardiness

Phenomenal is famous for surviving winters that kill other lavenders. Its root system tolerates cold, moisture, and rapid temperature changes — a must in Illinois, where January can swing from 45°F to -10°F overnight.

2. Superior Heat & Humidity Tolerance

Most lavenders hate humidity. Phenomenal was bred specifically to resist:

• Root rot

• Fungal disease

• Leaf scorch

• Summer die‑off

This makes it one of the few lavenders that performs reliably in the Midwest.

3. Strong Resistance to Disease

Phenomenal shows remarkable resistance to:

• Phytophthora

• Septoria leaf spot

• General fungal issues

This means healthier plants, longer lifespan, and more consistent harvests.

💜 4. High Essential Oil Yield

Phenomenal produces abundant, high-quality oil with a clean, herbaceous aroma. While it has more camphor than angustifolia varieties, it’s beautifully balanced — perfect for:

• Diffusers

• Room sprays

• Natural cleaning blends

• Farm-crafted essential oil products

Its yield per plant is significantly higher than English lavender, making it ideal for a working farm.

5. Long Bloom Season

Phenomenal blooms generously and reliably, giving us:

• Longer harvest windows

• More stems for bundles

• More flowers for distillation

6. Beautiful Field Presence

Phenomenal grows into large, rounded, silver-green mounds that look stunning in rows. It’s a favorite for agritourism, photography, and farm aesthetics.

So Which Lavender Is “Best”? Both groups have their place — and we plan to grow both at Moore Acres Lavender Farm.

Angustifolia

Perfect for:

• Skincare

• Culinary lavender (this is what we are using Hidcote for!)

• Gentle aromatherapy

• Soft, sweet fragrance lovers

Intermedia (Lavandin)

Perfect for:

• Essential oil production

• High-yield farming

• Humid climates

• Strong, clean, herbaceous scent profiles

Why Phenomenal Wins for Us: In central Illinois, Phenomenal gives us the reliability, vigor, and oil yield needed for a thriving lavender farm. It’s the variety that stands strong through our unpredictable seasons and produces the high-quality oil we can’t wait to produce on-site with copper stills.