Gorgeous, and often intensely fragrant flowers. Hypnotically aromatic leaves. Prized by pollinators, but ignored by deer and rabbits. And yes, absolutely beautiful. Lavender stands out among perennials because it has so many attributes. And that’s why I say you gotta love lavender. I would also add that if you provide it with what it needs, it’s not all that finicky.

First and foremost, lavender needs well-drained soil. It doesn’t just prefer it — it requires it. So if your soil doesn’t drain well, consider adding up to 30% sand or gravel to your native soil prior to planting. But the soil itself needn’t be particularly rich. In fact, lavender grows best in lean soil with little if any supplemental fertilizer. 

Lavender also requires full sun, as in a minimum of eight hours and even more if possible. If lavender gets too little sun it may produce foliage, but flowers likely will be few and far between.

Newly planted lavender should be watered once a week, especially during dry spells, for the first few weeks. By the first and through the sixth month water every two to three weeks (unless we get rain, of course). Beyond that, plants don’t need a lot of supplemental watering. In fact, too much water will do them in. And when you water, try to avoid soaking the foliage to minimize the growth of fungal diseases. 

Lavender grows great in containers, especially those that are at least 12” tall and wide. Terra cotta is the ideal material because it drains well. Feel free to add sand or gravel (or vermiculite or perlite) to whatever potting mix you choose, but never put gravel in the bottom of the pot. It may seem counterintuitive, but doing so will cause the potting mix to hold water longer.

Routine pruning encourages new flushes of growth of both flowers and foliage. You can prune in late spring shortly after flowers fade, but make sure you leave an inch or two of green growth above the woody portion of the stem. In late summer to fall, you can prune harder, cutting back one-third to one-half of the stems, but never make pruning cuts close to the base of the plant.

Because excess soil moisture is the enemy of lavender, I hesitate to recommend most mulches. However, a light mulch of pea gravel or small stones can be beneficial because both reflect light back onto the foliage and keep roots cool.

There are lots of different types of lavender, but we carry primarily Spanish, English, and French varieties that stand up to heat and humidity. Sizes, foliage, and flower colors vary, so if you can’t decide, try a mix. We also carry a few standards, which are single-trunk forms that look great in containers.

This culinary classic herb blend originated in southern France, and it’s used to flavor everything from salads and veggies to fish, chicken, beef, and pork. Use a spice grinder or mortar and pestle to grind rosemary and fennel seeds. Store in an airtight container. And feel free to half or double the recipe.

2 tablespoons dried rosemary
1 tablespoon fennel seed
2 tablespoons dried savory
2 tablespoons dried thyme
2 tablespoons dried basil
2 tablespoons dried marjoram
2 tablespoons dried lavender flowers
2 tablespoons dried Italian parsley
1 tablespoon dried oregano
1 tablespoon dried tarragon
1 teaspoon bay powder