Lavender is a versatile and fragrant plant that can enhance any garden with its vibrant
colors and soothing scent. If you want to incorporate lavender into your landscaping but don’t know where to start, we share 17 ideas that’ll help transform your outdoor space.

As a Pathway Hedge

Because of its vibrant color and calming scent, lavender is a great plant to help guide you through a garden. Line garden paths with it to create a serene and fragrant outdoor area. Plant them on both sides of the pathway for a clean, symmetrical look.

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In Rock Gardens

Since lavender thrives in well-drained soil, it works well in rock gardens. The color provides a beautiful contrast against the earthy tones of the rocks, and the pair creates the ultimate low-maintenance garden option.

For a Pop of Color

Lavender creates a striking contrast among green foliage. Combine it with evergreen plants, and plant a variety of lavender to create visual appeal. If you want lavender in your garden year-round, choose varieties that bloom in different seasons.

In Window Boxes

Instantly improve your home’s curb appeal by planting lavender in window boxes. It will bring a fresh look to your home and will help liven up your home’s exterior.

For Height Variability

Lavender comes in tall and short varieties. If you want to add height to your garden, plant ‘Grosso’ or ‘Phenomenal’. For short varieties, choose ‘Munstead’ or ‘Hidcote’.

They work great for borders and edges. You can also plant both tall and short varieties for a layered effect.

For Erosion Control in Sloped Yards

A lavender plant has deep roots, so it can help stabilize soil in sloped yards and can help prevent erosion while adding color and beauty.

Under Tall Trees

Some varieties of lavender, like Spanish lavender (Lavandula stoechas) and French lavender (Lavandula x intermedia), are shade-tolerant, so they thrive under tall trees.

You can pair lavender with other shade-tolerant plants to add color and variety. Try catmint, coneflowers, ferns, astilbe, or hostas.

In a Cottage-Style Garden

Plant lavender alongside other low-water perennials like echinacea, yarrow, and Russian sage to create a charming look in a cottage-style garden.

In Vertical Gardens

If you have a small garden, you can still enjoy the benefits of lavender. Plant lavender in a vertical garden to help save space and to draw the eyes up.

For Foliage Diversity

The silver leaves on lavender bring texture and color to a garden and create visual appeal when combined with herbs like rosemary and thyme. Even when not in bloom, lavender’s foliage creates a focal point in a garden.

As a Focal Point

Every garden needs a focal point, and planting a lavender bush as one will add color, fragrance and height to your outdoor space.

As a Mulch Alternative

Lavender helps suppress weed growth and retains moisture in soil, so plant low-growing varieties as a natural mulch alternative.

For Container Gardening

Planting lavender in containers allows you to move the plant around your outdoor area so you can enjoy the plant from many spots in your garden.

To Attract Wildlife

Lavender is a pollinator—it attracts bees, butterflies, and other pollinators, making it a great addition to a wildlife garden. Because lavender attracts insects, birds naturally gravitate toward lavender as well.

Along a Dry Stream Bed

Since some lavender varieties are a drought-tolerant plant, it would work well planted alongside a dry stream bed.

As a Companion Plant

Aside from working as a great companion plant alongside herbs, plant lavender near a vegetable garden. It will deter pests and attract pollinators. Lavender is also great when paired with other flowering plants, creating a colorful and fragrant garden.

As a Fragrant Ground Cover

A low-growing variety of lavender like ‘Dwarf Munstead’ is a great replacement for a lawn if you want to reduce the amount you mow and water your lawn. This low-growing variety only grows to about 12 inches tall.

Types of Lavender

English Lavender (Lavandula augustifolia)

• Preferred Climate: temperate climate; hardy in USDA zones 5-9
• Irrigation: requires moderate watering
• Soil: neutral to alkaline soil; needs well-drained soil
• Height: Typically grows up to 24-36″ tall.
• Popular Varieties: ‘Munstead’ and ‘Hidcote’

French Lavender (Lavandula dentata)

• Preferred Climate: warmer climates; hardy in USDA zones 8-11
• Irrigation: requires minimal watering; drought-tolerant
• Soil: slightly alkaline soil; needs well-drained soil
• Height: Typically grows up to 24-36″ tall.
• Popular Varieties: ‘Royal Crown’ and ‘Goodwin Creek Grey’

Spanish Lavender (Lavandula stoechas)

• Preferred Climate: Warm climates; hardy in USDA zones 8-9
• Irrigation: requires minimal watering
• Soil: neutral to alkaline soil; needs well-drained soil
• Height: Typically grows up to 12-18″ tall.
• Popular Varieties: ‘Anouk’ and ‘Otto Quast’