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🔍 Click to enlargeflowerperennial
Lavender
Lavandula angustifolia
Fragrant, drought-tolerant perennial loved by bees and butterflies.
Quick Facts
Sun:☀️ Full Sun
Water:💧 Low
USDA Zones:Zones 5–9
Space:🪴 Container, 🌱 Small Bed, 🏡 Large Garden
Soil:Sandy, Chalky, Loam
Best Season(s):Spring
Experience Level:🌱 Beginner
Native Range:Mediterranean Basin
Bloom Color:Purple, lavender-blue
Bloom Cycle:Early to late summer
Care Notes
Excellent drainage is essential. Prune after flowering to keep compact.
Growing Details
Mature Size:1.5-3 ft tall, 2-3 ft wide
Growth Rate:🐢 Slow
Zone Performance
Lavandula angustifolia is the hardiest culinary lavender, reliable through zone 5 winters if drainage is excellent, but wet, poorly drained soil in a cold winter is far more likely to kill it than the cold itself; at the warm end (zone 9), plants appreciate a bit of afternoon relief from the most intense summer heat and benefit from slightly earlier spring pruning.
Companions & Wildlife
🦌 Deer Resistance
rarely damaged
The strong essential-oil fragrance and fuzzy, aromatic foliage make lavender one of the most reliably deer-proof perennials.
🐝 Pollinator Value
high
Extremely attractive to honeybees, bumblebees, and a wide range of butterflies throughout its long summer bloom period.
Good Companions
Rosemary — Shares lavender's need for lean, fast-draining soil and full sun, making it easy to group in the same dry bed.
Roses — Lavender planted at the base of roses helps deter aphids and its silvery foliage complements rose color.
Yarrow — Both are drought-tolerant and attract beneficial predatory insects that help control garden pests.
Santolina — A classic Mediterranean-garden pairing that shares identical watering and pruning needs, forming a tidy low hedge together.
Troubleshooting
⚠️ Root rot and plant collapse
Plant in raised mounds or amend heavy clay with coarse grit to guarantee sharp drainage; never let roots sit in soggy soil.
⚠️ Legginess and a woody, hollow center after a few years
Prune back by about one-third every year right after flowering, but never cut into old bare wood.
⚠️ Fungal leaf spot in humid climates
Space plants generously for airflow and avoid overhead watering.
⚠️ Winter dieback in wet, cold climates
Mulch lightly with gravel rather than organic mulch, which holds moisture against the crown.
⚠️ Pet Safety
Mildly toxic to cats and dogs in large amounts (linalool, linalyl acetate) — small garden exposure is rarely a concern.
Informational only — always check with a veterinarian if you suspect your pet has eaten something it shouldn't have.
🌿 Traditional & Medicinal Use
Dried flowers used in traditional aromatherapy and sleep/relaxation teas — see the Medicinal Herb Garden guide for evidence and preparation.
Informational only, not medical advice — consult a healthcare provider before using any plant medicinally.