Believe it or not, lavender has personally been a very controversial plant for me. My mom and I would often have disagreements about planting lavender in the garden, and even when I started posting my gardening work on the internet, people argued that Russian sage was a better alternative.
Keeping up with the controversial theme, in today’s article, I’m going to tell you why every garden needs a lavender border and walk you through a few key benefits of planting this vibrant, fragrant herb.
Let’s jump straight into it, shall we?
Should I Have A Lavender Border?
YES! If you have a garden or front porch that’s wide open and free for anyone to just walk into, having solid borders that define property boundaries should be your number one priority.
Although you can go for simple shrubs to serve as a border, lavender works well because of its medium to tall growth and encapsulating scent.
If you have a deer or pest problem in the garden, planting lavender can help keep them out and make the garden space a lot safer for accommodating plant growth.
And if you’re short on space or prefer container gardening, this guide covers everything you need to know about growing lavender in pots, from soil mix to pruning tips for long-lasting blooms.
Five Key Benefits Of A Beautiful Lavender Border
1: Attracts Pollinators
Lavender is fantastic for drawing in pollinators to the garden. It’s one of the best nectar-producing plants, making a perfect lure for attracting bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. Unsurprisingly, the vibrant flower spikes also help with this.
2: Natural Pest Repellent
As most of you already know, lavender has a very strong and pungent scent; it just can’t go unnoticed. We, as humans, love it and find it very calming, but pests and mosquitoes absolutely hate the scent and stay as far away from it as possible.
You should also check out these other bug-repelling plants for an even more pest-resistant garden setup.
3: Drought Tolerance
Although lavender has this soft and delicate look, you’ll be surprised to find out just how hardy and resilient it is. Once established, it requires minimal watering and care to grow optimally.
4: Low Maintenance
Even if pests and fungal diseases are a problem in your garden, lavender is fairly resistant to most common issues like these. Its low-maintenance nature makes it a very popular choice amongst beginners and newbies.
And if you want even more of this low-maintenance beauty, here’s how to propagate lavender from cuttings to expand your border for free.
5: Versatility
Lavender is the type of plant that’s suitable for various garden styles and climates. I mean…where does lavender not fit? I find it hard to imagine a garden that wouldn’t benefit from the addition of lavender around its borders.
The Best Lavender Varieties For Borders
For the purpose of planting around borders, you want to go for lavender varieties that are compact and tidy growers.
My top choices are Lavandula angustifolia ‘Hidcote’ or ‘Munstead’. They typically grow 20-25 inches tall with a spread of about 18-20 inches, perfect for keeping your garden looking neat.
You’ll find Hidcote or Munstead lavender cultivars blooming from late spring all the way to mid-summer.
To keep your lavender looking their best, here’s how to prune lavender in spring and fall without risking woody growth.
Common Mistakes To Avoid When Growing Lavender
Seasonal Tips For Keeping Lavender Looking Its Best
You should also take a look at when to fertilize lavender, timing it right can really boost fragrance and flower production.
Let’s Conclude
My belief that “lavender deserves a place in every garden” might be a bit bold or unconventional, but that’s exactly what makes gardening exciting for me. I’ve always enjoyed adding a touch of rebellion to everything I do, even in the garden.
If you ever take a look at my garden, there are many odd pairings and unconventional plants, shrubs, and flowers that go beyond surface-level gardening. Lavender, however, has always been a part of my journey from the beginning, ever since I decided to line up the edges of my garden with this fragrant plant.
