Key Differences Between Goodwin Creek Lavender and English Lavender
There are not massive differences between the two varieties of lavender, but there are some subtle ones that you’ll likely find interesting. Particularly note the locations where they grow best.
Goodwin Creek Lavender vs. English Lavender: Classification
Lavandula ginginsii is the plant known as Goodwin Creek lavender, a hybrid discovered in Williams, Oregon. The plant is an herb, with violet-blue flowers. Lavandula angustifolia is the plant known as English lavender, the far more common variety that most of us are familiar with. The plant is not native to England, despite the name. It is a herbaceous perennial used as an herb for cooking and remedies, and produces purple flowers. Both varieties of lavender are a part of the Lamiaceae family (formerly the Labiatae), which is known more commonly as the mint family.
Goodwin Creek Lavender vs. English Lavender: Description
Lavender is overall considered an attractive plant that is a perennial herb. The Goodwin Creek hybrid is also known as a Goodwin Creek Grey lavender and is a long-lived variety of the plant that grows into a shrub up to 3 feet in height and a little bit wider than 3 feet. Its leaves are silvery-gray, earning its name, with toothed-edges. The flowers are soft blue lavender color, in tight whorls on spikes on short stems. In mild climates, the flowers are almost always present throughout the year. This variety of lavender is considered one of the best for winter flowering as it doesn’t require loads of light. It can even grow in sunny rooms in colder climates during the wintertime. Goodwin Creek lavender requires full to partial sun, with at least 5 hours of light for full blooming. They need moderately well-draining soil. They’re heat tolerant and hardy to 15 degrees Fahrenheit. They handle high humidity all right, though this isn’t their favorite. English lavender is an evergreen perennial shrub that may be found in dwarf form, meaning when broadly mounded, it grows to about 3 feet in width and 2 feet in height. The flowers bloom in summer. The flowers are deep purple shades that bloom in early summer, with blue-green leaves. English lavender is the source of true oil of lavender. English lavender needs drier climates, with full sun, and extremely well-drained soil. It cannot tolerate clay soils and prefers neutral to alkaline.
Goodwin Creek Lavender vs. English Lavender: Uses
Both flowers have many of the same uses, but first let’s talk about Goodwin Creek lavender’s distinctions. The hybrid is heat tolerate and cooler climate tolerant, so it is the best winter form of lavender flower to grow outdoors in temperate to cool climates or in hotter, drought-prone climates. It works as a short hedge, border plant, and dense edging plant. It is a favorite among rock gardens, xeriscaping, and butterfly gardens. The flowers are excellent for cut flowers as well, and make excellent accents to living spaces like decks and patios. Goodwin Creek lavender is also a close relative to French lavender, so it is used for oil, scents (perfumery) and cleansing products. English lavender has the distinction of being the source of true oil of lavender. Otherwise, it primarily shares the general characteristics and uses of lavender with its fellow Lavandula plants of various varieties. Overall, lavender is used for many, many things across the globe. Most of us first and foremost probably associate the plant with fragrance and skin care products. The plant is heavily used for these and has been for millennia. The name literally means “to wash” so, it’s no surprise the plant is associated with cleanliness and freshness. It is often used in bath additives like oils and salts, it’s included in shampoos, body washes, bar soaps, conditioners, lotions, skin creams, and much more. Lavender has also, for millennia, been used to treat a number of illnesses and ailments. Insomnia, anxiety and stress are some of the top conditions lavender is believed to help, thanks to its soothing scent and calming vibe. It has been used to treat hair loss, headaches, chemotherapy side effects, acne, burns, irritated skin, eczema, dry skin, wound healing, mood issues, and migraines. Some even use it for helping with mild depression. Lavender comes in many useful forms, including dried flowers for home fragrance, essential oils, topical oils, capsules, teas, tisanes, infusions, syrups, creams, salves, and lotions. It is also often added to honey, sweet treats, beverages, and is used as garnishes for many meal items.
Goodwin Creek Lavender vs. English Lavender: Origins and Growing Preferences
Lavender itself originated in the Mediterranean millennia ago. The plant is recorded in many ancient documents and has been noted in many remedies, baths, and medical notes from Ancient Greece to Ancient Egypt. The Ancient Egyptians even used lavender in its mummification processes, thanks to its perfumery uses. Goodwin Creek lavender has a more specific origin. The hybrid was discovered at the Goodwin Creek Gardens in Williams, Oregon in 1999. The variety has then been put into use specifically for its unique silver-gray leaves and vivid violet-blue flowers. Upon discovering its resistance to both heat and cooler climates, the hybrid has become a highly recommended variety for specific locations based on those parameters. Among the many varieties of lavender, English lavender, often confused with Spanish lavender or French lavender, doesn’t have as precise an origin story as Goodwin Creek. We do know that it did not originate in England, despite the name, but has, in fact, been used since used heavily there in perfumery, which is why it has been given this name. Goodwin Creek lavender and English lavender both require plenty of sun and well-drained soil. Goodwin Creek lavender can tolerate cooler temperatures down to 15 degrees Fahrenheit and more temperate weather climates. English lavender, however, does better in drier areas or as a container plant that can be brought indoors when temperatures drop or heavy rain falls. Both plants require 6 to 8 hours of sun, with afternoon shade being reasonable, with good air circulation where they grow, particularly if there is high humidity.
Goodwin Creek Lavender vs. English Lavender: Special Features and Fun Facts
Lavender is an intriguing plant with a long, long history. The plant was used for perfumery dating back at least 2500 years, if not longer, and was used in the Ancient Egyptian practices of mummification. The plant’s name dates to ancient Roman baths, as it comes from the Latin verb lavoor lavandus, meaning “to wash.” Some people have described the aroma of lavender as a combination of honey, balsam fir, and thyme into one singular floral scent. Lavender was originally used in deodorant in the late 1800s and has been used in such “cleansing of odor” ways ever since. Lavender was actually a form of currency in France during Medieval times. During the Middle Ages, some people thought that witches used lavender to cast spells of death and evil spirits. Finally, the lavender plant is the second most popular herb next to basil. Interestingly, though, some thought it would ward of the Black Plague and others thought it would ward of tuberculosis and malaria, all diseases that quite often took lives.
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