What Grows Well With Lavender In Your Garden?
What Grows Well With Lavender?
Lavender grows well with a variety of plants including Echinacea, roses, yarrow, upright sedum, alliums, African daisies, zinnias, gaillardia, rosemary, thyme, sage, oregano, jasmine, coneflowers, mugwort, catmint, oleander, blue fescue grass, zinnias, and olive trees.
Key Points:
- Lavender grows well with a variety of plants including Echinacea, roses, yarrow, and upright sedum.
- Other compatible plants are alliums, African daisies, zinnias, and gaillardia.
- Lavender also thrives alongside rosemary, thyme, sage, oregano, and jasmine.
- Coneflowers, mugwort, catmint, oleander, and blue fescue grass can be planted with lavender.
- Additionally, lavender can coexist with zinnias and olive trees.
Did You Know?
1. Did you know that lavender is not only a beautiful and fragrant plant, but it also has a fascinating relationship with bees? Lavender not only attracts bees, but it also provides a bountiful source of nectar and pollen for them, making it a great addition to any beekeeper’s garden.
2. Lavender is known for its calming aroma, but it also has another hidden talent – repelling mosquitoes! The strong scent of lavender can naturally help keep these pesky insects at bay, making it a handy companion plant to have in your outdoor living space.
3. Lavender is not limited to just being a garden plant – it can also be used for culinary purposes! The delicate lavender flowers can be infused into sugar, honey, or salt to add a unique and subtle floral flavor to your dishes. It pairs exceptionally well with desserts, such as cookies or ice cream.
4. While lavender is commonly associated with the color purple, did you know that there are more than 40 different species of lavender, each with their own distinct shades? Lavender plants can range in color from pale pinks and blues, to vibrant purples, ensuring there is a variety to suit every gardener’s taste.
5. Considered a symbol of love and devotion, lavender has been used in various rituals and traditions throughout history. In ancient times, lavender was thought to bring good luck when worn as a crown or carried in a sachet. Even today, lavender is often included in wedding bouquets and decorations to bring a touch of romance and positive energy to the ceremony.
Lavender’s Perfect Plant Pairings
Lavender is a beloved perennial herb known for its fragrant blooms and versatile uses. It not only adds beauty and a delightful aroma to your garden but also attracts beneficial pollinators.
To create a truly stunning lavender garden, it is essential to consider the ideal plant pairings that complement its growth and enhance its overall appeal.
One of the perfect plant companions for lavender is Echinacea. These vibrant cone-shaped flowers, also known as coneflowers, come in various colors, including pink, purple, and white. Echinacea and lavender thrive in similar growing conditions, requiring well-drained soil and full sun. The combination of the two creates an eye-catching display of contrasting colors and textures, making it a must-have duo for any lavender enthusiast.
Roses are another excellent choice to grow alongside lavender. These classic, timeless flowers blend seamlessly with the elegant lavender blooms. Roses and lavender both benefit from sunny locations and well-drained soil, making them compatible companions. Their complementary colors and textures create a harmonious and romantic atmosphere, transforming your garden into a picturesque retreat.
- Lavender is a beloved perennial herb known for its fragrant blooms and versatile uses.
- Echinacea and lavender thrive in similar growing conditions, requiring well-drained soil and full sun.
- Roses and lavender both benefit from sunny locations and well-drained soil.
- The combination of Echinacea and lavender creates an eye-catching display of contrasting colors and textures.
- The combination of roses and lavender creates a harmonious and romantic atmosphere.
Complementary Herbs And Flowers For Lavender
In addition to Echinacea and roses, there are several herbs and flowers that perfectly complement lavender.
-
Yarrow, with its feathery foliage and flat-topped clusters of flowers, creates a stunning backdrop for lavender’s slender stalks and purple blossoms. Yarrow’s subtle hues of white, yellow, and pink add depth and contrast to the vibrant lavender blooms.
-
Upright sedum is another herbaceous perennial that pairs well with lavender. Its fleshy succulent leaves and clusters of star-shaped flowers amplify the visual appeal of lavender in the garden. Upright sedum’s ability to thrive in dry and gravelly soil, similar to lavender’s preferred conditions, makes it an ideal companion plant.
-
Alliums, commonly known as ornamental onions, offer unique spherical blooms that contrast beautifully with lavender’s delicate petals. Their tall, sturdy stems add height and structure to the garden, creating an enchanting display when paired with lavender.
-
African daisies with their vibrant colors, zinnias with their plethora of shapes and hues, and the fiery gaillardia all add to the tapestry of colors and textures when planted alongside lavender.
Vibrant Blooms That Thrive Alongside Lavender
While herbs and flowers bring their own charm to a lavender garden, a selection of vibrant blooms can further enhance the overall aesthetic. Rosemary, with its evergreen foliage and delicate blue flowers, not only complements lavender but also acts as a beneficial companion, repelling pests and attracting bees. Thyme, sage, and oregano also make excellent additions to a lavender garden as they thrive in similar conditions and are known for their aromatic foliage and culinary uses.
Jasmine, with its fragrant, star-shaped white blooms, adds a touch of romance to a lavender garden. Its twining vines can be trained to grow alongside lavender, creating a visually appealing blend of textures and scents. The combination of lavender and jasmine is sure to transport you to a Mediterranean paradise whenever you step into your garden.
- Rosemary: complements lavender, repels pests, attracts bees
- Thyme, sage, and oregano: thrive in similar conditions, aromatic foliage, culinary uses
- Jasmine: fragrant, star-shaped white blooms, twining vines, visually appealing blend of textures and scents
Enhancing Lavender Gardens With Companion Plants
In addition to the aforementioned plants, there are several companion plants that can greatly enhance the beauty and health of a lavender garden. Here are some key ones to consider:
-
Coneflowers (echinacea): These plants are known for their daisy-like blossoms and their ability to attract butterflies. When paired with lavender, they create a stunning visual contrast.
-
Mugwort: With its silver leaves and aromatic qualities, mugwort adds an ethereal touch to the garden. Its presence can create a sense of magic and tranquility.
-
Catmint: A member of the mint family, catmint offers abundant purple blooms that echo the hues of lavender. These blooms not only add beauty to the garden but also attract pollinators like bees and butterflies.
-
Oleander: This flowering shrub is famous for its showy blossoms and vibrant colors. When added to a lavender garden, the clusters of oleander flowers provide a pop of color and scent that perfectly complement the calming fragrance of lavender.
-
Blue fescue grass: With its tufts of silver-blue foliage, blue fescue grass adds a soft and feathery texture to the garden. It can be used as an excellent ground cover for lavender, creating a visually pleasing and uniform landscape.
In summary, incorporating these companion plants into a lavender garden can greatly enhance its overall beauty and health. Coneflowers, mugwort, catmint, oleander, and blue fescue grass all bring unique qualities and visual appeal to the garden, creating a harmonious and inviting space.
Creating A Diverse Landscape With Lavender And Its Companions
By strategically selecting plants that thrive alongside lavender, you can create a diverse and visually appealing landscape. The potential combinations are endless, allowing you to design a garden that suits your personal taste and preferences. Incorporating lavender’s ideal companions not only enhances the beauty of your garden but also creates a healthy ecosystem, attracting pollinators and repelling pests.
When planning your lavender garden, consider the growth habits, watering needs, and sunlight requirements of each companion plant to ensure they will thrive harmoniously together. By including a variety of herbs, flowers, and shrubs, you can create an ever-changing tapestry of colors, shapes, and scents that will provide year-round interest and pleasure.
Some recommended companion plants for lavender include:
- Echinacea
- Roses
- Yarrow
- Upright sedum
- Alliums
- African daisies
- Zinnias
- Gaillardia
- Rosemary
- Thyme
- Sage
- Oregano
- Jasmine
- Coneflowers
- Mugwort
- Catmint
- Oleander
- Blue fescue grass
- Zinnias
- Olive trees
When combined harmoniously, these plants create a vibrant and diverse landscape that enhances the beauty of lavender and adds a touch of enchantment to any garden. So, go ahead and unleash your creativity while designing your lavender garden, and enjoy the stunning results that nature has to offer.
Check this out:
Frequently Asked Questions
What does lavender grow best with?
Lavender grows best when planted alongside other full-sun, well-drained-soil-loving plants. In a perennial garden, lavender thrives when paired with companions such as Echinacea (Coneflowers), Sage (Salvia), Artemisia, Thyme, or Ornamental Grasses. Additionally, lavender flourishes in an herb garden alongside culinary oregano, thyme, rosemary, and sage, creating a fragrant and visually appealing combination of herbs.
What pairs well with lavender?
In addition to those ingredients, lavender pairs well with a variety of dairy products such as yogurt and cream, adding a unique floral note to dishes like lavender-infused ice cream or lavender-scented whipped cream. For a savory twist, lavender also complements meats like lamb or chicken, especially when combined with garlic or balsamic vinegar to create a delicious and aromatic marinade.
What herbs go well with lavender?
Lavender, with its delicate floral notes, combines harmoniously with a variety of herbs, enhancing their flavors in delightful ways. Oregano, rosemary, thyme, sage, and savory are some excellent choices to complement lavender. These herbs form a perfect balance with lavender, creating a medley of flavors that are both savory and subtly floral. Moreover, the inclusion of lavender, especially French lavender, adds a unique touch to herb blends like herbes de provence, where its elegant floral nuance beautifully complements the overall aromatic profile.
Where do lavender plants grow best?
Lavender plants thrive best in regions with plenty of sunlight, ideally receiving at least 8 hours per day. Originating from the Mediterranean Sea area, lavender has a natural affinity for hot and dry climates with soil that is chalky, rocky, or sandy. The plant necessitates excellent drainage as excessive rainfall can cause it to drown.