Lavender plants bring color, fragrance, and serenity to every corner of the garden. These drought-tolerant, deer-resistant perennials are beloved for their soothing scent, silvery-green foliage, and long-lasting blooms that attract bees and butterflies, and even hummingbirds. Whether used as edging, in rock gardens, mixed borders, or containers, Lavandula transforms any space into a fragrant retreat.
From French Lavender’s frilly petals to English Lavender’s cold-hardy reliability, these aromatic beauties thrive in sunny, well-drained soil and reward gardeners with both charm and usefulness. Let’s explore creative ways to use Lavender plants in the landscape for visual appeal and year-round enjoyment!
Landscaping With Lavender
Lavender is a designer’s dream: fragrant, resilient, and beautiful in many settings. Below are ideas paired with specific varieties available at Nature Hills to help bring each use to life.
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Fragrant Borders & Edging
Line paths, driveways, or garden edges with neat mounds of Silver Mist English Lavender for a silvery-green edging that perfumes the air with every brush. For a bolder hedging look, Grosso Lavender creates an eye-catching border with its tall, dark purple spikes and strong scent.
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Pollinator Gardens
Sensational!® Lavender is a reblooming variety prized for its nectar and long flowering season. Perfect for attracting bees and butterflies. Pair it with Hidcote Lavender or Munstead Lavender for layered bloom times and a colorful pollinator garden mix.
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Rock & Gravel Gardens
Choose drought-tolerant types like Provence Lavender to thrive in coarse, well-drained soil among stones and gravel. Silver Edge Lavender is another rock garden favorite. Its frosty foliage creates a glowing contrast against sun-warmed rocks.
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Herb & Culinary Gardens
Add Avignon Early Blue Lavender to your edible garden for early blooms and strong fragrance that works beautifully in teas, baked goods, and sachets. Mix it with English Lavender types like Munstead and Hidcote for a timeless combination of beauty and usefulness.
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Mediterranean & Xeriscape Designs
For a sun-drenched, waterwise look, plant French Lavender as an accent near patios or stucco walls. Use Provence Lavender or Grosso Lavender in mass plantings to capture that effortless Mediterranean charm and resilience, perfect for xeriscaping.
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Cottage Gardens
Blend Silver Mist English Lavender or Munstead with Roses, Foxglove, and Salvia for that quintessential cottage garden charm. The soft texture and calming fragrance weave perfectly into romantic borders.
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Containers & Patios
Compact varieties like Sensational!® Lavender and Silver Edge Lavender shine in containers. Place pots near seating areas or entryways to enjoy their scent up close. For added flair, try Primavera Lavender, known for its showy purple blooms topped with butterfly-like petals. Ideal for a patio garden.
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Mass Plantings for Impact
Create sweeping purple waves with Provence or Grosso Lavender along slopes or driveways for low-maintenance beauty. Their uniform form and fragrance make a stunning visual and sensory statement.
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Cutting & Drying Gardens
Grosso, Provence, and Sensational!® Lavender is a top choice for cutting and drying. Their blooms hold color and fragrance exceptionally well for cut flower arrangements, wreaths, sachets, and dried bouquets.
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Companion Planting
Use Silver Edge Lavender around Rose bushes to deter aphids and deer while adding a silvery touch of texture. Interplant Avignon Early Blue or Silver Mist with Catmint or Hydrangeas for color contrast and a boost of beneficial pollinators.
Lavender Care & Maintenance
Lavender is surprisingly easy to grow once you know its preferences.
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Sunlight: Full sun - at least 6 hours daily.
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Soil: Well-drained soil that’s sandy or gravelly with neutral to slightly alkaline pH.
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Water: Water deeply but infrequently once established; avoid soggy roots. Use the Finger Test to check soil moisture before watering.
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Pruning: Trim lightly after blooming and again in early spring to maintain shape and encourage new growth. Learn more about pruning for better results.
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Fertilizer: Too much nitrogen causes floppy growth; a yearly compost top-dress is sufficient.
- Winter Care: In colder zones, plant in raised beds or near a south-facing wall. Mulch lightly after the first hard frost, but avoid heavy, wet mulches.
Lavender varieties such as Phenomenal®, Hidcote, and Munstead are reliable even in cold climates, while Provence and Goodwin Creek Gray excel in hot, arid regions.
Lavender Love - A Scent-sational Ending!
From garden paths to potted patios, Lavender transforms every space into a peaceful sanctuary. It’s the perfect plant for gardeners who crave beauty, fragrance, and wildlife-friendly charm. Let Ma Nature’s favorite purple perfume bring calm to your corner of the world.
Happy Planting!
