Lovely Lavender in the Garden

Lavender is fantastically fragrant, and attracts loads of bees, butterflies, and moths to the garden. It's airy form and gray-blue woody leaves provide visual interest whether potted up in a container or planted out in a landscape.

Outdoor Care

In climate zones 6 and warmer, plant lavender outdoors in the spring in well-drained soil in full sun. In colder zones, lavender will need either a thick layer of mulch or other protective plant cover to survive the winter.

As a Mediterranean native, lavender appreciates full sun and grainy, well-drained soil that is neutral to slightly alkaline in pH. Lavender doesn't do well with overwatering or nutrient-rich soils — water only in extreme heat and skip the fertilizer. Lavender grows in a self-contained shrubby mound 1-3 feet in diameter depending on the variety. It does not require staking or other supports. As a woody plant, lavender produces gorgeous, fragrant flowers on new growth in early to mid summer. In the early spring, cut the woody stems of older plants back by 1/3 to help encourage new growth and more flowers.

You may cut and dry the stems for scented sachets, potpourri or small bouquets. Pruning encourages bushy, new growth, but may delay flowering, which occurs at branch tips.

Keep your indoor lavender and herbs happy by placing them under LED grow lights.