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Regal Lavender Rules Gardens Coast to Coast
Learn how to grow this fragrant, beautiful herb and show off its full beauty in the landscape
I am a freelance editorial and wedding photographer and Houzz contributor based out of Hershey, PA. Come visit me at 'A Nest for All Seasons' where I write about design, photography and modern garden living!
I am a freelance editorial and wedding photographer and Houzz contributor... More »
Lavender is the queen of herbs in my book: beautiful when young, astounding in maturity and useful in every stage of development. From the deepest purples of 'Folgate' to the waving white wands of 'Ballerina', lavenders hit every shade in between.
Lavender flowers can be used for soaps, oils and even edible applications. In fact, lavender lemonade is a surprising treat on a hot summer day, while pairing the flavor with pork or chicken makes for a delicious fall meal.
Whether you grow lavender to harvest or simply for its beauty in your garden, it will perform well with little care.
Lavender flowers can be used for soaps, oils and even edible applications. In fact, lavender lemonade is a surprising treat on a hot summer day, while pairing the flavor with pork or chicken makes for a delicious fall meal.
Whether you grow lavender to harvest or simply for its beauty in your garden, it will perform well with little care.
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| Botanical name: Lavandula Common name: Lavender USDA zones: 5-10 Water requirement: Regular water until established; then low water needs Soil requirement: Requires excellent drainage Sun requirement: Prefers full sun Mature size: 1 to 3 feet high, 1- to 3-foot spread Growth rate: Slow. Trim lightly in spring to maintain a compact shape (old wood rarely produces new growth). Tolerances: Drought tolerant and deer resistant Environmental benefits: Attracts birds, hummingbirds and butterflies; makes for a wonderful bath and culinary addition. When designing a garden with lavender, put its environmental needs first. Site it in full sun with great drainage. The fastest way to kill lavender is to overwater it. Once you've found the perfect site, the only question becomes whether you should mass or mix this fabulous plant. |
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| Massing Lavender For a mass of lavender against a stone wall or fence, plant en masse, leaving room between for the shrubby flowers to grow. You'll have to deal with clumps of lavender for a few years until they fill out and create the mass you are looking for. |
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| Lavender is a plant you don't want to cheat on space; when clustered too tightly, it will grow leggy and reach for the sun. It is a slow-growing perennial as well, so be patient and give those small bushes space. |
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Your patience will pay off when you have a mass of lavender spikes waving in the breeze every summer without any work from you, the gardener.
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Mixing Lavender Into the Garden
Lavender mixes as well as it masses, so try combining it with other blue-tone plants such as blue fescue, or contrast it with lime- or yellow-foliage evergreens.
Lavender mixes as well as it masses, so try combining it with other blue-tone plants such as blue fescue, or contrast it with lime- or yellow-foliage evergreens.
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| The softer tones of lavender also mix well with lighter shades and wispy plumes of grass. |
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| Try mixing several varieties of lavender, or mix and match lavender with other spiky purple flowers such as catmint or Russian sage. |
The truth is, lavender can truly can mix or mass with ease. Just give it some space and make sure its feet stay dry. It will outperform most other herbs for years.
Browse more great design plants and garden ideas
Browse more great design plants and garden ideas
Ideabook published on Aug. 7, 2012.
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Whenever I move I try to take cuttings from my beloved plants, it eases the transition.
Try this tisane: two or three heads of lavender and a sprig of mint in hot water.