Best Companion Plants for Growing Vibrant Lavender Gardens

Companion Plants that Thrive Alongside Lavender

With its gorgeous purple blooms and pleasant floral scent, lavender is a beloved plant for many gardens. And because lavender itself brings so much to the table aesthetically, it can provide the perfect complement to a variety of other plants in your landscape.

When planted with compatible companion plants, lavender becomes an anchor point around which you can build a visually-interesting and aromatic garden that flourishes throughout the seasons. Read on to learn which plants pair well with lavender.

Plants That Complement Lavender's Color and Form

Lavender brings unique color and texture when it's in bloom, with dense plumes of rich purple flowers topping slender green foliage. You'll want companion plants that hold their own visually against this showy and fragrant plant. Some great options include:

• Russian sage - tall spires of lavender-blue blossoms
• Salvia - red, pink, or white flower spikes
• Echinacea (coneflower) - purple, pink, red, or white daisy-like blooms
• Verbena - clusters of bright pink, red, or purple flowers
• Agastache (Hyssop) - spikes of orange, pink, yellow, white, or purple blooms

These flowering perennials mirror or complement the abundant color provided by lavender's flowers. Their vertical form also balances out the mounded shape of lavender plants.

Herbs and Vegetables to Plant With Lavender

In addition to ornamental flowers, many culinary herbs and vegetables also grow well in combination with lavender. Some great edible companion plants for lavender include:

• Rosemary - another aromatic herb that enjoys similar growing conditions
• Thyme - spreads nicely around lavender plants
• Sage - pretty silvery foliage and purple flowers
• Garlic and chives - help to repel pests
• Lettuces and greens - benefit from lavender's scent repelling rabbits
• Borage - pretty blue star-shaped edible flowers

Interplanting lavender with herbs and vegetables allows you to create a beautiful edible garden landscape. The lavender's scent and presence seems to help many edible plants grow better!

How to Choose the Best Companion Plants for Lavender

When pairing lavender with other plants, you'll want to consider a few key compatibility factors:

Watering Needs

Lavender thrives best in drier conditions with very well-draining soil. Be sure not to plant it with companions that require frequent watering or moist soil, as these needs would clash.

Some appropriately drought-resistant lavender companions include:

• Yarrow
• Santolina
• Sage
• Thyme
• Rosemary

Soil and Sun Requirements

Lavender prefers slightly alkaline soil with a pH around 6.7-7.3. It needs extremely sunny conditions as well, flourishing best with at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight daily.

Some plants that thrive in similar alkaline soil and full sun include:

• Russian sage
• Verbena
• Echinacea
• Salvia
• Santolina

Growth Habit

Lavender grows fairly tall and wide, reaching 2-4 feet high and wide when mature. Low-growing plants can act as nice fillers around lavender's base. And narrow or vertically-oriented plants won't get overshadowed by lavender later in the season.

Some nicely paired companions based on growth pattern include:

• Alyssum or creeping thyme - low-growing groundcover beneath lavender
• Coreopsis - medium height with abundant daisy blooms
• Salvia - vertical spikes won't compete for space

Where and How to Plant Lavender with Companions

When interplanting lavender with companion plants, proper placement and maintenance is key. Here are some tips for success:

Allow Enough Space

Make sure to give lavender adequate room to reach its mature size without crowding other plants. As a general rule, plant lavender at least 2 feet apart from other perennials or small shrubs.

Edge-Friendly Planting

Planting lavender along a garden bed, path, or wall edge provides a perfect display. Its slightly spilling foliage and flowers can cascade nicely along borders. Just be sure not to plant lavender right up against foundations or walkways where its roots may cause damage if it expands.

Use Lighter Shade Plants Underneath

If interplanting flowers beneath lavender plants, stick to ones tolerant of some shade. Once the lavender grows to its full size, it will cast some shade below - blocking more sun-loving plants.

Good options include:

• Ajuga
• Astilbe
• Hellebore
• Hosta

Proper Pruning is a Must

Be sure to prune back lavender plants each year as needed. This helps contain their size, prevents legginess, and encourages more dense and lush growth that won't overwhelm nearby plants.

The Best All-Around Companion Plants for Lavender

If you want reliable performers that pair beautifully with lavender in most gardens, focus on these top companion plant picks:

Russian Sage

With airy towers of tiny lavender-blue blossoms, Russian sage makes the perfect backdrop for lavender. Its silver-grey foliage provides lovely contrast as well. Drought tolerant and low maintenance like lavender.

Salvia

The many varieties of ornamental Salvia offer vertical flower spikes in various colors that emerge elegantly from mounds of foliage similar to lavender. Together they make excellent anchor plants for summer and fall interest.

Echinacea

Coneflower is a classic perennial with bold daisy-like flowers in shades like purple, pink, white and more. Their sturdy blooms complement lavender beautifully. Plus coneflowers attract butterflies and bees to your garden.

Alyssum

For a lovely carpet around the base of lavender plants, go with sweet alyssum. Available in both annual and perennial types, alyssum forms a trailing mound covered in tiny fragrant white or purple flowers.

Rosemary

Another culinary herb that makes an aromatic companion for lavender in an edible landscape. Rosemary's little blue flowers and evergreen needle-like foliage contrast nicely with lavender visually as well.

Designing a Lavender Companion Planting Garden

When planning out a garden design with lavender as a key feature, incorporate groups of complementary perennials, herbs, annuals or shrubs around it. Here is one combination idea to consider:

Plants:

• Lavender - provides focal interest with bold purple color
• Echinacea (Coneflower) - eye-catching pink daisy shape
• Russian Sage - airy lavender-blue flowers on vertical stems
• Creeping Thyme - spreads nicely as fragrant groundcover

Design:

Plant a cluster of 3-5 lavender shrubs as an anchor near the center of your garden bed or along one edge. Surround the lavender with groupings of 3-5 Russian sage and Echinacea plants for vertical contrast. Allow the creeping thyme to fill in around the bases to form a fragrant, flowering carpet.

This type of design provides season-long interest with different peak bloom times. The variety of color, texture, and form makes for dynamic yet low-maintenance landscape.

Frequently Asked Questions about Growing Lavender

If you're new to growing lavender, you likely have some questions about caring for this beautiful perennial herb. Here we'll tackle some of the most commonly asked questions.

What type of soil does lavender need?

Lavender thrives best in slightly alkaline soil with a pH around 6.7-7.3. Well-draining soil is also essential. Add sand or small gravel to clay-heavy soil to improve drainage.

How much sun does lavender need?

For optimum growth and abundant flowering, lavender requires full sun - generally defined as at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight daily.

Is it easy to grow lavender?

Lavender is quite easy to grow as long as you provide the proper growing conditions. Pay special attention to drainage, soil pH, and sun exposure when planting lavender and it will flourish with minimal care needed.

How do I prune lavender each year?

Prune lavender in spring by cutting back all dead or damaged growth and shaping the plants as needed. Avoid cutting into sections with new green growth emerging. Never prune lavender past mid-August.

Bring Vibrant, Fragrant Charm to Your Garden With Lavender

With its incredibly fresh scent, vibrant purple blooms, attractive foliage, and easy-care nature, it's easy to see why lavender makes such a beloved garden plant. Choosing the right companion plants to pair with lavender allows you to create a multifaceted landscape bursting with flowers, texture, and fragrance throughout the seasons.

Use this guide to lavender companion planting to thoughtfully design your garden and enjoy this aromatic, ornamental herb to its fullest potential. The soothing scent and visual elegance of lavender is sure to enhance your landscape for years of beauty.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.