Section Stoechas covers the French, Italian and Spanish Lavenders, L.stoechas, L. viridis, L. dentata and several sub species, whilst section Spica is the English and Dutch Lavenders. This section has three species, two sub species and a hybrid with dozens of cultivars. There has been much confusion over the species names with several name changes over the years. It is fairly easy to determine which section and sometimes which species to which a plant belongs. However more detailed identification can be quite difficult.
Most lavenders seed quite readily, although the variation amongst the progeny is great.
This has resulted in a continual parade of new lavenders being released on the market. This is most common amongst the L. stoechas varieties and sub species. Larkman Nurseries has collected around one hundred and eighty lavenders, whilst Virginia McNaughton has a New Zealand collection of some 200. Don t panic these aren t all going to be released on the market at once. In fact, many will not released at all, as the differences are so small that only experts can tell the difference.