English Lavender Companion Plants: The Ultimate Guide

Oleh Anonymous March 22, 2022 Post a Comment

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If you're a fan of the beautiful and fragrant English lavender plant, you might be wondering what other plants make good companions for it in your garden. Besides adding variety and visual interest to your garden, companion plants can also help deter pests, improve soil health, and provide a habitat for beneficial insects. In this guide, we'll explore some of the best companion plants to grow alongside English lavender.

English Lavender

Before we dive into companion plants, let's take a closer look at English lavender itself. This aromatic perennial herb is native to the Mediterranean region and is prized for its fragrant purple flowers and gray-green foliage. It prefers well-draining soil and full sunlight, making it an excellent choice for rock gardens, borders, and container gardens.

Types of English Lavender

There are many different varieties of English lavender, each with its own unique characteristics. Some popular types include:

Munstead: A compact variety with deep violet-blue flowers.
Hidcote: A taller variety with dark purple flowers and silver-gray foliage.
Vera: A hardy variety with pale lavender-blue flowers.

Caring for English Lavender

To keep your English lavender healthy and thriving, be sure to:

Plant it in well-draining soil.
Water it regularly, but avoid overwatering.
Prune it back after flowering to promote new growth.
Harvest the flowers for use in potpourri, sachets, and other fragrant crafts.

Companion Plants for English Lavender

Now that we know a bit more about English lavender, let's explore some of the best companion plants to grow alongside it.

Rosemary

Rosemary is a natural companion plant for English lavender because it shares similar soil and sunlight requirements. This evergreen herb has fragrant needle-like leaves and produces small blue flowers in the spring. It's also a good source of nectar for pollinators like bees and butterflies.

Growing Rosemary

To grow rosemary alongside English lavender, plant it in well-draining soil and full sun. Water it regularly, but avoid overwatering. Prune it back after flowering to promote new growth and harvest the leaves for use in cooking and crafting.

Sage

Sage is another herb that makes a great companion plant for English lavender. It has aromatic gray-green leaves and produces beautiful purple or blue flowers in the summer. Like rosemary, it's a good source of nectar for pollinators.

Growing Sage

To grow sage alongside English lavender, plant it in well-draining soil and full sun. Water it regularly, but avoid overwatering. Prune it back after flowering to promote new growth and harvest the leaves for use in cooking and crafting.

Thyme

Thyme is a low-growing herb that makes an excellent ground cover around English lavender plants. It has tiny aromatic leaves and produces small pink or purple flowers in the summer. Thyme is also a natural insect repellent, making it a great choice for deterring pests from your garden.

Growing Thyme

To grow thyme alongside English lavender, plant it in well-draining soil and full sun. Water it regularly, but avoid overwatering. Prune it back after flowering to promote new growth and harvest the leaves for use in cooking and crafting.

Rue

Rue is a hardy perennial that can grow up to three feet tall. It has blue-green foliage and produces small yellow flowers in the summer. Rue is known for its insect-repelling properties and can help deter pests like beetles and aphids from your garden.

Growing Rue

To grow rue alongside English lavender, plant it in well-draining soil and full sun. Water it regularly, but avoid overwatering. Prune it back after flowering to promote new growth and harvest the leaves for use in medicinal and culinary applications.

Lamb's Ear

Lamb's ear is a soft and fuzzy perennial with silver-gray foliage and tiny pink or purple flowers. It's a great companion plant for English lavender because it adds texture and contrast to the garden while also attracting beneficial insects like bees and butterflies.

Growing Lamb's Ear

To grow lamb's ear alongside English lavender, plant it in well-draining soil and full sun. Water it regularly, but avoid overwatering. Divide the plants every few years to prevent overcrowding.

In English lavender is a beautiful and fragrant herb that can be enhanced by growing companion plants alongside it. Rosemary, sage, thyme, rue, and lamb's ear are just a few of the many plants that make great companions for English lavender. By planting these herbs together, you can create a diverse and thriving garden that's sure to delight all of your senses.

FAQs

Q: What is the best soil for growing English lavender?

A: English lavender prefers well-draining soil with a pH between 6.5 and 7.5.

Q: How often should I water my English lavender plants?

A: Water your English lavender plants regularly, but avoid overwatering. Allow the soil to dry out slightly between waterings.

Q: Can I grow English lavender in containers?

A: Yes, English lavender can be grown in containers as long as the container has good drainage and the plant receives adequate sunlight and water.

Q: What pests are commonly attracted to English lavender?

A: Some pests that may be attracted to English lavender include aphids, spider mites, and whiteflies.

Q: How do I harvest English lavender for use in crafts?

A: Harvest English lavender flowers when they are fully open but before they begin to fade. Cut the stems just above a set of leaves and hang them upside down to dry before using them in potpourri, sachets, or other fragrant crafts.