Lavender is a beloved herb known for its fragrant purple blooms and versatile landscaping, cooking, and aromatherapy uses. When planning your herb garden, considering lavender companion plants can elevate your garden’s beauty, functionality, and overall health. This comprehensive guide will explore the best plants to pair with lavender, offering tips on creating a harmonious and thriving garden ecosystem.
Lavender: A Full Sun, Drought-Tolerant Favorite
Before delving into companion planting, it’s essential to understand lavender’s specific needs and characteristics. This knowledge will help you choose the best companions and create an optimal growing environment for your lavender plants.
Full Sun Requirement:
Lavender thrives in full sun conditions, requiring at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight daily. This sun-loving nature makes it an excellent choice for open garden beds, rock gardens, and sunny borders. When selecting companion plants, opt for those that share lavender’s affinity for bright, sunny locations.
Drought Tolerance:
One of lavender’s most admirable qualities is its drought tolerance. Once established, lavender plants can withstand periods of dry weather with minimal watering. This characteristic makes them ideal for water-wise gardens and regions prone to drought. When choosing companion plants, look for species that also possess good drought tolerance to create a cohesive, low-maintenance garden area.
Soil and Drainage:
Lavender prefers well-draining, slightly alkaline soil. It doesn’t tolerate wet feet or heavy clay soils, which can lead to root rot. To ensure proper drainage, consider amending your soil with sand or gravel. When selecting companion plants, choose those that thrive in similar soil conditions to maintain a consistent growing environment.
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Care and Pruning:
Regular pruning is essential for maintaining healthy lavender plants and encouraging abundant blooming. Prune in early spring or after flowering to shape the plant and remove any dead or woody growth. When planning your garden layout, consider the mature size of lavender and its companions to allow for proper spacing and ease of maintenance.
Choosing the Right Lavender Companion Plants
Now that we understand lavender’s growing requirements, let’s explore some of the best companion plants to pair with this fragrant herb. These companions not only share similar growing conditions but also offer complementary aesthetics and potential benefits to your garden ecosystem.
Rosemary:
Rosemary is an excellent companion for lavender, as both herbs share similar growing requirements. Like lavender, rosemary prefers full sun and well-draining soil. The upright growth habit of rosemary provides a nice contrast to lavender’s more mounded form. Additionally, both herbs are drought-tolerant and attract beneficial pollinators to your garden.
Thyme:
Another Mediterranean herb that pairs well with lavender is thyme. This low-growing plant creates an attractive ground cover around taller lavender plants. Thyme’s small, fragrant leaves and delicate flowers complement lavender’s larger blooms. Both herbs thrive in sunny, dry conditions and can be used in cooking and aromatherapy.
Sage:
Sage is another herb that makes an excellent companion for lavender. With its soft, gray-green leaves and purple flowers, sage creates a beautiful color contrast when planted alongside lavender. Both plants prefer similar growing conditions and are drought-tolerant once established. The combination of lavender and sage not only looks stunning but also attracts beneficial insects to your garden.
Marigolds:
Marigolds are a vibrant and practical companion for lavender. Their bright orange and yellow blooms provide a striking contrast to lavender’s purple flowers. Marigolds are known for their pest-repelling properties, making them a valuable addition to any herb garden. Plant marigolds around the base of lavender plants to deter harmful insects and add a pop of color to your garden bed.
Hardy Geraniums:
Hardy geraniums, also known as cranesbills, are excellent companions for lavender. These low-maintenance perennials produce delicate flowers in shades of pink, purple, and blue that complement lavender’s blooms. Hardy geraniums can tolerate a range of soil conditions and are drought-resistant once established, making them ideal partners for lavender in sunny garden beds.
Russian Sage:
For a dramatic and eye-catching combination, consider pairing lavender with Russian sage. This tall, airy perennial produces masses of lavender-blue flowers that create a stunning backdrop for shorter lavender plants. Russian sage shares lavender’s preference for full sun and well-draining soil, making it an ideal companion in drought-tolerant garden designs.
What To Plant with Lavender on a Border
When designing a border with lavender as a key element, consider incorporating a variety of complementary plants to create depth, texture, and year-round interest. Here are some excellent choices for planting alongside lavender on a border:
Perennial Evergreens:
Incorporating evergreen plants in your lavender border ensures year-round structure and interest. Consider compact varieties of boxwood, dwarf conifers, or small-leaved hebes. These evergreens provide a contrasting backdrop to lavender’s soft texture and maintain the border’s shape during winter months when lavender is dormant.
Ornamental Grasses:
Ornamental grasses add movement, texture, and vertical interest to a lavender border. Consider pairing lavender with drought-tolerant grasses such as feather reed grass (Calamagrostis x acutiflora), blue fescue (Festuca glauca), or smaller varieties of miscanthus. These grasses complement lavender’s form and create a dynamic, naturalistic look in the garden.
Other Flowering Perennials:
To create a diverse and colorful border, incorporate other flowering perennials that share lavender’s growing requirements. Some excellent choices include:
- Echinacea (Coneflower)
- Salvia (Sage)
- Achillea (Yarrow)
- Sedum (Stonecrop)
- Perovskia atriplicifolia (Russian Sage)
These perennials offer a range of bloom times, colors, and textures that will enhance the overall appeal of your lavender border throughout the growing season.
Ground Covers:
Low-growing ground covers can be used to fill in spaces between lavender plants and create a cohesive look on your border. Some drought-tolerant options that pair well with lavender include:
- Thymus serpyllum (Creeping Thyme)
- Sedum spurium (Stonecrop)
- Delosperma cooperi (Ice Plant)
- Artemisia schmidtiana ‘Silver Mound’ (Silver Mound Artemisia)
These ground covers help suppress weeds, retain soil moisture, and add visual interest to the base of your lavender plants.
Bulbs:
Incorporating spring-flowering bulbs in your lavender border can provide early-season color before the lavender begins to bloom. Choose bulbs that prefer well-draining soil and can tolerate dry conditions during their dormant period. Some excellent options include:
- Allium
- Muscari (Grape Hyacinth)
- Tulipa (Species Tulips)
- Narcissus (Daffodils)
Plant these bulbs in the fall, spacing them between lavender plants to create pockets of spring color throughout your border.
Lavender Companion Vegetables
While lavender is primarily known as an ornamental and aromatic herb, it can also be a valuable addition to your vegetable garden. Here are some vegetables that make excellent companions for lavender:
Brassicas:
Members of the brassica family, such as cabbage, broccoli, and cauliflower, can benefit from being planted near lavender. The strong scent of lavender may help repel common pests that often plague brassicas, such as cabbage moths and cabbage worms. Additionally, the purple flowers of lavender create an attractive contrast to the green foliage of these vegetables.
Tomatoes:
Tomatoes can be excellent companions for lavender in the vegetable garden. The fragrant herbs may help deter tomato hornworms and other pests. Lavender’s drought tolerance also complements the water needs of established tomato plants. Plant lavender near the edges of your tomato bed to create a beautiful and functional border.
Leeks and onions:
Alliums such as leeks and onions pair well with lavender in the garden. These plants share similar soil and sunlight requirements. The strong scent of lavender may help mask the smell of alliums, potentially confusing pests that would otherwise be attracted to these vegetables. The combination of lavender’s purple blooms and the vertical growth of leeks and onions creates an interesting visual display in the garden.
Carrots:
Carrots and lavender can make good companions in the garden. Lavender’s strong scent may help repel carrot flies, a common pest that can damage carrot crops. The low-growing nature of carrots allows them to be planted near lavender without competing for sunlight. Consider planting carrots in rows between lavender plants for an efficient use of garden space.
Plants To Avoid Pairing With Lavender
While many plants make excellent companions for lavender, some should be avoided due to conflicting growing requirements or potential negative interactions. Here are five types of plants to keep separate from your lavender:
1. Water-loving plants:
Plants that require consistently moist soil or frequent watering should not be planted near lavender. Lavender prefers dry conditions and can suffer from root rot if the soil is too wet. Avoid pairing lavender with moisture-loving plants such as:
- Hostas
- Ferns
- Astilbe
- Impatiens
2. Shade-loving plants:
Since lavender requires full sun to thrive, it’s best to avoid planting it near shade-loving species. These plants have conflicting light requirements and will not perform well when grown together. Some examples of shade-loving plants to avoid pairing with lavender include:
- Heuchera (Coral Bells)
- Hostas
- Ferns
- Bleeding Heart
3. Plants that need rich soil:
Lavender prefers lean, well-draining soil and can suffer from excessive nutrients. Avoid planting it near heavy feeders or plants that require rich, fertile soil. Some examples include:
- Roses
- Dahlias
- Clematis
- Hydrangeas
4. Plants prone to fungal diseases:
To reduce the risk of disease spread, it’s best to avoid planting lavender near species that are particularly susceptible to fungal issues. While lavender is generally resistant to many diseases, it’s still wise to maintain good air circulation and avoid creating conditions that promote fungal growth. Some plants to keep separate from lavender include:
- Phlox
- Monarda (Bee Balm)
- Delphinium
- Hollyhocks
5. Invasive plants:
Aggressive or invasive plants can quickly overwhelm lavender and compete for resources. Avoid planting lavender near species known for their spreading habits, such as:
- Mint
- Lemon Balm
- Gooseneck Loosestrife
- Bamboo
Lavender Companion Planting Guide
Now that we’ve explored various companion plants for lavender, let’s discuss how to create a successful companion planting scheme in your garden. Follow these steps to ensure a harmonious and thriving lavender garden:
1. Understand Your Lavender’s Needs:
Before selecting companions, ensure you have a clear understanding of your specific lavender variety’s requirements. Consider factors such as mature size, spread, and any unique care needs. This knowledge will help you choose appropriate companions and plan your garden layout effectively.
2. Choose the Right Companions:
Select plants that share similar growing conditions with lavender, including sun exposure, soil type, and water requirements. Aim for a mix of plants that offer complementary benefits, such as pest-repellent properties, attractive blooms, or textural contrast.
3. Consider the Companion Plant’s Needs:
While focusing on lavender’s requirements, don’t forget to account for the needs of your chosen companion plants. Ensure that all plants in your scheme can thrive in the selected location and growing conditions.
4. Plan Your Garden Layout:
Sketch out your garden design, considering the mature size and spread of all plants. Allow adequate spacing between plants to promote good air circulation and prevent overcrowding. Consider creating layers with taller plants in the back, medium-height plants (like lavender) in the middle, and low-growing plants or ground covers in the front.
5. Planting:
When planting your lavender and its companions, ensure proper soil preparation. Amend the soil if necessary to improve drainage, and consider adding organic matter to areas where companion plants may require more nutrients than lavender.
6. Care and Maintenance:
Maintain your lavender companion garden by following proper care techniques for each plant species. This may include:
- Regular pruning to maintain shape and encourage healthy growth
- Monitoring for pests and diseases
- Adjusting watering schedules based on the needs of different plant groups
- Fertilizing selectively, focusing on plants that require additional nutrients while avoiding over-fertilizing lavender
By following these guidelines and selecting appropriate companions, you can create a beautiful, low-maintenance, and thriving lavender garden that will provide enjoyment for years to come.
Conclusion
Companion planting with lavender offers numerous benefits, from enhancing the beauty of your garden to improving plant health and attracting beneficial insects. By understanding lavender’s growing requirements and carefully selecting compatible plants, you can create a harmonious and thriving garden ecosystem.
Whether you’re designing a stunning border, planning a drought-tolerant landscape, or incorporating lavender into your vegetable garden, there are numerous companion plants to choose from. From aromatic herbs like rosemary, thyme, and sage to colorful perennials and ornamental grasses, the possibilities for creating a beautiful lavender companion garden are endless.
Remember to avoid pairing lavender with plants that have conflicting needs, such as water-loving or shade-preferring species. By following the companion planting guide outlined in this article, you’ll be well-equipped to create a successful and visually appealing lavender garden that will flourish season after season.
Embrace the versatility and beauty of lavender companion planting, and watch as your herb garden transforms into a vibrant, fragrant, and thriving oasis. With the right companions, your lavender plants will not only enhance the overall aesthetics of your garden but also contribute to a healthier and more balanced ecosystem.
FAQs
What not to plant next to lavender?
Avoid planting water-loving plants like hostas, ferns, or impatiens next to lavender, as they have conflicting moisture requirements. Also, steer clear of plants that prefer rich soil or shade, such as roses, hydrangeas, or coral bells, as these will not thrive in the same conditions as lavender.
Can lavender go in a vegetable garden?
Yes, lavender can be a beneficial addition to a vegetable garden. It can help repel pests from certain vegetables and attract pollinators, making it a good companion for crops like tomatoes, brassicas, and carrots.
What goes well with lavender?
Drought-tolerant, sun-loving plants like rosemary, thyme, and sage make excellent companions for lavender. Other good options include ornamental grasses, hardy geraniums, and drought-resistant perennials like echinacea and sedum.
Which herbs to plant next to each other?
Mediterranean herbs with similar growing requirements, such as rosemary, thyme, sage, and oregano, grow well together. Basil can be planted near tomatoes and peppers, while mint should be planted separately in containers to prevent it from spreading aggressively.
