Lavender: Fragrant Plants for Your Xeriscape

Lavandula x intermedia 'Provence'
Lavandula angustifolia 'Sharon Roberts'
Lavandula x intermedia 'Grosso'
Lavandula angustifolia 'Royal Velvet'
Lavandula angustifolia 'Buena Vista'
Lavandula x intermedia 'Alba'
Lavandula angustifolia 'Mitcham Gray'
Lavandula 'England'
Lavandula angustifolia 'Hidcote Superior'
Lavandula x intermedia 'Hidcote Giant'
Lavandula angustifolia 'Nana'
Lavandula angustifolia 'Graves'
Lavandula x 'Silver Frost'
Lavandula stoechas ‘Willow Dale’
Lavandula angustifolia 'Melissa'
Lavandula angustifolia 'Munstead Strain'

Types of Lavender:

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About Lavender:

Xeriscape Lavenders

The genus Lavandula is a favorite group of ornamental herbs native to southern Europe and the Mediterranean. These sun-loving plants thrive in hot weather and grow well in the West in a wide range of soils, even compost-enriched garden loams, as long as the loam is well draned. Heavy, poorly-drained clay soils can be fatal. Lavender plants will be taller and wider in mild winter, hot summer climates. The same varieties when grown in cold (zone 5-6) winter climates tend to be more compact. Lavender plants require two-to-three growning seasons to reach mature size.

Lavender plants are easy to grow and their silver-gray foliage is ideal for moon or evening gardens. They are also used as good contrast with other showier, more colorful plants.

Lavenders are rabbit and deer resistant.

Pruning established lavender plants

Prune your lavender in spring as needed. When plants begin to show signs of new growth, cut back the old stems by no more than a third to re-invigorate the plant and encourage more flowers. Harvesting the flowers each year helps maintain plant vigor.

Fertilizing Lavender

Top-dress with Yum Yum Mix and Planters II once a year in mid-to-late fall or mid-spring (as the plants begin to show new growth).

Lavender Planting Tips

Lavender must be planted in full-sun locations with good air circulation and fast-draining, alkaline soil. In the eastern US and Midwest sandy and sandy-loam soils are a "must"! Lavender will tolerate clay and clay-loam in dry climates.

  • Ample coarse-textured compost can be added at planting time to "open-up" heavier soilds. Add lime in acidic soils. In wetter climates, plant on a slope or in a raised bed to facilitate faster drainage.
  • Two inches of very coarse sand or small diameter gravel around the base of the plant keeps the crown drier and promotes healthy plants in all climates.
  • Water deeply but infrequently after their 2nd growing season. Take care not to over-water established plants.
  • In the Midwest and eastern U.S., it is essential that Lavenders be planted in the sunniest spots possible in fast draining, unenriched soil (no compost).

Cold-Hardy Lavender Varieties

The genus Lavandula has about 28 species and is a group of ornamental herbs that thrives in hot weather and loves the sun. High Country Gardens provides the finest varieties of xeriscape lavenders.

English Lavender:

Lavandula angustifolia cultivars are among the most cold-hardy, and they bloom in late spring. They have compact flowering spikes on short-to-medium stems. 'Hidcote Superior', 'Royal Velvet' and 'Mitcham Gray' have the darkest flowers. 'Graves' is valued for its fragrant, long-stemmed flowers. 'Buena Vista' and 'Sharon Roberts' bloom twice in spring and fall when promptly deadheaded after first bloom.

Despite its common name, English Lavender is native to southern europe, not England.

Lavandin (French hybrid Lavender):

Lavandin or Lavandula x intermedia cultivars (hybrids between English lavender and Lavandula latifolia) are among the tallest growers with elongated flowering spikes on long stems. 'Provence' and 'Hidcote Giant' are deliciously aromatic and are used for oil production and sachets. 'Grosso' is the most cold hardy and one of the best for use in crafts and as dried flowers. 'Alba' has lovely, pure white blossoms.

Other hybrid Lavenders:

'Silver Frost' has an incredible silver foliage and a powerful fragrance. 'England' is compact and very fragrant. Both are exceptionally heat tolerant in low-humidity areas.

Lavender: Useful Beauty

For centuries, Lavender has been used to make essential oil, perfume, wreaths, soaps, wands, candles, medicines, and as an herb in both sweet and savory foods. It was even used as a kind of scented clothesline for drying clothes, which would give the garments a delightfully fresh scent. Read more about the History of Lavender

According to aromatherapy practitioners, lavender is beneficial for its calming effects. Its sweet, herby aroma is often said to relieve stress and anxiety.

Culinary uses for Lavender:

It has become increasingly popular to use lavender as an herb for cooking. 'Provence' is an excellent variety for this use. A common herb mix that includes lavender is "Herbs de Provence".

Before using lavender in your recipes, be sure to check that it is edible. Not all varieties are suitable for consumption.

The Gift of Lavender:

Because of its enchanting aroma, lavender makes an excellent addition to a wide variety of crafts that can be used in gift baskets. Dried lavender buds store quite well, so hand-made treasures (such as lavender sachets) made from lavender make excellent staples for your gift pantry.

How to gather lavender from your garden:

You should either remove the flowers from the stems or cut the flower spikes just as blossoms show color. Allow the lavender buds to dry in a cool place out of the sun.

You can speed the drying process by assembling your very own inexpensive no-heat dehydrator using air conditioner filters (paper is best -- avoid the fiberglass kind), a box fan, and a couple of bungee cords. Lay the lavender in the grooves of the filters, and stack the filters on top of one another, covering them with an empty filter. Attach the stacked filters to the box fan with bungee cords. Set the fan upright, turn it on, and allow the lavender to dry. (This idea was inspired by Alton Brown's show on preserving herbs.)

Lavender FAQ

Q: Will Lavender attract wildlife to my garden?

A: Butterflies and bees enjoy most varieties of lavender, but deer and rabbits don't care for the strong flavors of the leaves.

Q: Is Lavender a xeric (drought tolerant) plant?

A: Our lavenders do quite well with little or no extra water, but they can also be grown in more humid areas as long as the soil is well-drained. Established Lavender plants should be watered deeply but infrequently.

Q: Where can I go to learn more about growing and using lavender?

A: We recommend the following books:

  • Lavender: How to Grow and Use the Fragrant Herb by Ellen Spector Platt
  • Lavender: The Grower's Guide by Virginia McNaughton
  • The Lavender Cookbook by Sharon Shipley