Lavender

Lavender

Lavandula spp.

Lavender fills the early summer garden with sensory delights: beautiful purple-toned blooms atop foliage that oozes fragrance on a sunny afternoon. Every part of the plant is infused with aromatic oil, making this a choice herb to place along pathways or near outdoor seating areas so you can savor the fragrance. Lavender varieties abound; the darker the flower, the more intense the aroma -- and the flavor in cooking.

Drought-, heat-, and wind-tolerant, lavender doesn't like poor drainage, waterlogged soil, and high humidity. Raised beds can enhance drainage; surrounding plants with a gravel mulch can help increase heat around roots. After flowering, shear plants to induce bushiness and subsequent bloom. Avoid cutting plants back to the ground. Dried blooms retain fragrance for a long time; crush dried flowers to release aromatic oils anew.

Light:

Sun

Zones:

5-10

Plant Type:

Perennial, Herb, Shrub

Plant Height:

1-3 feet tall

Plant Width:

1-3 feet wide

Flower Color:

Deep violet, to lavender, to white blooms

Bloom Time:

Flowers early to midsummer

Landscape Uses:

Containers, Beds & Borders, Slopes, Groundcover

Special Features:

Flowers, Attractive Foliage, Fragrant, Cut Flowers, Dried Flowers, Attracts Birds, Attracts Hummingbirds, Attracts Butterflies, Drought Tolerant, Deer Resistant

Top Varieties

English lavender

(Lavandula angustifolia) is the traditional, culinary type. Reaching 2-3 feet in height, plants are hardy in Zones 5-10, and bear violet-purple blooms.
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Grosso lavender

(Lavandula x intermedia 'Grosso') bears violet blossoms on long, bright green stems that soar outward from silver foliage, creating a striking shrub in the garden. Zones 5-8
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Hidcote lavender

(Lavandula angustifolia 'Hidcote') is a dwarf English lavender, presenting dark blue blooms on a tidy 1-1/2-foot-tall plant. Zones 5-10
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Jean Davis lavender

(Lavandula angustifolia 'Jean Davis') sports pale pink blossoms with a fruity flavor that adds wonderful taste and aroma to cake, tea, or vinegar. Zones 5-10.
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Munstead lavender

(Lavandula angustifolia 'Munstead') offers lovely lavender-blue flowers that bring a luscious flavor to butter, cookies, or tea. Shorter plants (1 1/2 feet tall) and flower stalksmake Munstead a perfect choice for a lavender hedge or knot garden. Zones 5-10
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Spanish lavender

(Lavandula stoechas) unfurls deep purple blooms topped with lavender-hued bracts, creating a two-toned flower. Plants grow 2-3 feet tall. Zones 9-10
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Garden Plans

Multiple Pots Container Garden
Drought-Tolerant Garden Plan
Fragrant Garden 2
Long-Blooming Rose and Perennial Garden Plan
Design for a Moon Garden
Nook Garden
Patio Garden
No-Fuss Sun-Loving Garden Plan
Fragrant Entry Garden Plan
Hot-Color Flower Garden Plan
Geometric Pocket Garden Plan
Long-Blooming Rock Garden Plan
Summer-Blooming Front Yard Cottage Garden Plan
Cotswold Charm Cottage Garden Plan
Large Summer Sunny Border
Front Walk Garden Plan
Small-Space Water Garden Plan
Colorful Front Yard Cottage Garden Plan
Tough-as-Nails Perennial Garden Plan

Harvest Tips

Gather blossoms when they have just opened. Use individual blooms fresh, discarding the little brown or green caps that hold them to the stem. Or cut entire flower stems to dry for later use. Typically flowers are pressed into service in the kitchen, although some recipes from the South of France feature the fragrant leaves.

Pick and dry flowers for seasoning desserts, such as cookies, cakes, and ice cream, or use as an edible garnish on a salad or fresh berries. Lavender blends deliciously with mint and lemon to brew a refreshing tea. Or try blending your own Herbes de Provence seasoning mixture by combining dried lavender blooms with thyme, basil, fennel, and savory. Use this blend to season grilled meats, fish, or stews. Tuck lavender blooms into vinegar to create a deliciously fragrant and uniquely tinted flavoring.