Kali, do you know about Garden Watchdog? Def. check it out for mail order sources. I haven't ordered a lot of perennials online so I'll let others chime in! httpgarden.com/products/gwd/#b

Munstead grows easily from seed. That's the way I'd go if I needed more than one or two plants. Most local garden centers should carry it. Particularly since it is a tricky thing to grow with acidic soil, and not exactly an 'investment' plant even where it is happy.

Aside from that, I have to ask, how far are you from New Jersey? I know many people who have made the trip to Wellsweep Herb Farm.

Erin: thank you I will check that out!!

Mad-Gallica: Good to know!! I might just buy some seeds online, I need at least 4 or 5. But I would prefer 6 or 7. I'm glad there easy to grow from seed because I never would've considered that. I already have all the little seed pots, a heating mat and the grow-light!

i haven't checked the distance to NJ but being from Massachusetts (southern/central) several hours minimum I would guess.

Pairing lavender with roses is a tricky undertaking. The two plants want completely different growing conditions......other than lots of sun. Roses like a rich soil, lots of fertilizer and plenty of water. Lavender prefers a very lean soil, no fertilizer and minimal water. If they are planted in very close proximity, one or the other will not be happy.

Nepeta or hardy geraniums make much better companions for roses.

I'm not certain what type my lavender is, but it certainly looks like Munstead. I consider it almost a weed now and have to pull up young plants often. But I do like having it (where it belongs!). It's really a gorgeous display. To say that it thrives on neglect is an understatement! If you lived nearby you could take all you want. But since it self-seeds so easily, you might consider getting seeds. Easier to get mail order and less expensive than plants plus shipping.

Thanks everyone! I used the link provided by a commenter above to find a reputable seed selling website.

I didnt know about lavenders growing conditions, unfortunately I read an "article" or two on Pinterest that said they paired well together. Perhaps they meant only visually. I'm a little bummed out but there's a lot of room in my gardens. I think I'll prioritize the roses as far as water and fertilizer, and just try to avoid the lavender. If the lavender doesn't do well then that's okay because I got about 200 seeds for 1.99 plus shipping hahah

Don't worry about it. If lavender can handle a wet year, it can handle reasonable supplemental watering (and if you are watering during a wet summer, you are overwatering)

Seems my comments are ignored (or not welcome?) since I clearly stated that my lavender, which I've had for years, thrives with no care at all. It also self-seeds, and is virtually a weed for me. Anyway, good luck to all of you with your lavender.

It just depends on how closely the two plants are planted. It is quite possible to have a rose garden bordered by lavender if there is some distance between the plants so that the attention (routine watering and fertilization) required by the roses does not affect the lavender.

Maybe you are working to different standards in the Northwest. Here, roses don't have to receive routine watering. In fact, I recommend strongly against it. Normal summer rainfall is often adequate, and below normal rainfall is often accompanied by significant watering restrictions. Whenever anyone asks how best to get plants through droughts, the answer is to not get them used to routine watering, but used to foraging for their own.

Then there are years like this, with the daily rain. For most 'drought tolerant' plants, this is the real hurdle. Can it handle massive amounts of watering beyond our control. Unlike plants native to the desert west, true Mediterranean plants seem able to handle that.

Bill I didn't think anyone was ignoring you, I think people are just sharing what works for them.

gardengal48, that's what I'm thinking, my garden bed is fairly large so there'll be plenty of room for both :)

Well of course the need for additional irrigation will depend on summer rainfall but the standard watering requirements for roses (per the ARS) is once a week with at least 2" (5G) per plant. More frequently if hot and dry....less often if cool and cloudy. Soil conditions will play a role as well.

Most rose species tend to be Asian in origin and so a broad assumption can be made that most hybrids are tolerant of monsoonal conditions - in other words not a drought tolerant plant by nature at all!! In comparison, lavender IS extremely drought tolerant and should receive minimal irrigation in summer.