Gardening Guides

Gardening Guides

Top Ideabooks

See also

Gardening 101 Flowers and Plants Regional Garden Guides Spring Gardening Summer Gardening Fall Gardening Winter Gardening Edible Gardens Container Gardens Native Plants Gardening for Butterflies Gardening for Birds Beneficial Insects Planting Ideas Saving Water

Regal Lavender Rules Gardens Coast to Coast

Learn how to grow this fragrant, beautiful herb and show off its full beauty in the landscape

Amy Renea August 7, 2012

Click "Embed" to display an article on your own website or blog.

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.

Modern Landscape Modern Landscape

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.

Mediterranean Landscape by Huettl Landscape Architecture

Huettl Landscape Architecture

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.

Mediterranean Landscape by Huettl Landscape Architecture

Huettl Landscape Architecture

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.

Rustic Patio by Debra Drake Design

Debra Drake Design

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.

Eclectic Landscape by Huettl Landscape Architecture

Huettl Landscape Architecture

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.

Modern Landscape by Blasen Landscape Architecture

Blasen Landscape Architecture

The softer tones of lavender also mix well with lighter shades and wispy plumes of grass.

Mediterranean Landscape by Carolyn Chadwick

Carolyn Chadwick

Try mixing several varieties of lavender, or mix and match lavender with other spiky purple flowers such as catmint or Russian sage.

Traditional Landscape by Glenna Partridge Garden Design

Glenna Partridge Garden Design

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

Sponsored

T. Walton Carr, Architects

Franklin County's Preferred Architectural Firm | Best of Houzz Winner

T. Walton Carr, Architects is a full-service Architecture firm based in Ohio. The firm specializes in customized... Read More

Sponsored

Alpine Metal Peacock Outdoor Statue, 22"Tall

Alpine Metal Peacock Outdoor Statue, 22"Tall

$96

Aluminum Grape Trellis Pergola Outdoor Canopy Gazebo, Burgundy, 9

Aluminum Grape Trellis Pergola Outdoor Canopy Gazebo, Burgundy, 9'x9', White

$530

20"W x 20"D x 20"H Fairfield Patio Planter, Black

20"W x 20"D x 20"H Fairfield Patio Planter, Black

$149

Veradek Pure Series Window Box Wall/Railing Planter, Black, 36", 1 Pack

Veradek Pure Series Window Box Wall/Railing Planter, Black, 36", 1 Pack

$78

Lawn And Garden Stake Eagle

Lawn And Garden Stake Eagle

$44

Complete Woven Willow Raised Bed Kit, 48"W x 48"L x 10"H

Complete Woven Willow Raised Bed Kit, 48"W x 48"L x 10"H

$99

Sponsored

Kitchen Kraft

Ohio's Kitchen Design Showroom |11x Best of Houzz 2014 - 2022

Our philosophy at Kitchen Kraft is to make home remodeling convenient. We are your one-stop shop for kitchen... Read More

Sponsored

Comments (19)

See 16 more comments

Thank you for reporting this comment. Undo

PRO

Amy Renea

ebea - I wonder if rosemary might be a better choice -- it doesn't get AS woody as lavender does on the bottom when you don't trim it. Perhaps something that creeps and drapes over the wall like creeping charlie or a sedum would be an even better choice. Lavender doesn't need a lot of care, but it does need some trimming :)

Like August 10, 2012 at 4:40AM

Thank you for reporting this comment. Undo

ebea

We have a large rosemary bush in front (was there when we bought the house) but it doesn't grab me as a pretty hillside plant when looked at from the lake. Will have to give this some more thought, I guess. But, thanks for the suggestions. When you live on a lake you have 2 "front" yards. Have to look good on both sides, you know.

1 Like August 10, 2012 at 6:38AM

Thank you for reporting this comment. Undo

kphil

Would you recommend planting between shrubs? What about clean up? I want to put in my backyard at a fence line.

Like December 26, 2012 at 7:12PM

Related Stories

Landscape Design What Will We Want in Our Landscapes in 2024?

By Amanda Pollard

Discover seven trends that landscape designers predict homeowners will be bringing into their outdoor spaces this year

Full Story

Spring Gardening 8 Tips to Get Your Early-Spring Garden Ready for the Season

By Lauren Dunec Hoang

Find out how to salvage plants, when to cut back damaged branches, when to mulch and more

Full Story

Winter Gardening How to Prune Your Fruit Trees in Winter

By Noelle Johnson

Garden chores may slow down this season, but pruning your fruit trees now means healthier plants that will produce more

Full Story

Winter Gardening Get a Head Start on Planning Your Garden Even if It’s Snowing

By Marianne Lipanovich

Reviewing what you grew last year now will pay off when it’s time to head outside

Full Story

Landscape Design Pros Share Their Top Plant Picks for a Low-Maintenance Yard

By Marianne Lipanovich

Landscape pros weigh in on the plants they’d use — and ones they’d avoid — to create an easy-care garden

Full Story

Landscape Design 10 Tips for Planting a Beautiful, Low-Maintenance Landscape

By Marianne Lipanovich

Landscape pros share their advice for planning a garden that’s easy to care for

Full Story

Gardening Guides 12 Gardening Ideas You Can Count as Resolutions

By Lauren Dunec Hoang

See how to set up your outdoor areas for more enjoyment next year and make them a bit more earth-friendly in the process

Full Story

Holidays Last-Minute Ideas for Attractive Winter Container Designs

By Lauren Dunec Hoang

Create a welcoming holiday entryway with ideas from these 9 looks

Full Story

Winter Gardening 8 Tips for Keeping Your Houseplants Healthy in Winter

By Lauren Dunec Hoang

Reduce watering, stop fertilizing, move them into the light and more

Full Story

Fall Gardening 7 Reasons Not to Clean Up Your Fall Garden

By Benjamin Vogt

Before you pluck and rake, consider wildlife, the health of your plants and your own right to relax

Full Story