How Tall Does Lavender Grow? A Complete Garden Growing Guide

How Tall Does Lavender Grow?

Lavender (Lavandula spp.) is a beloved plant in gardens worldwide, known for its fragrant flowers, silvery foliage, and versatility. It thrives in a variety of climates and soil types, making it a popular choice for herb gardens, rock gardens, and formal gardens alike. However, one of the most common questions gardeners ask is, "How tall does lavender grow?" The answer depends on the type of lavender you are growing, as each species and variety has its own growth habits. In this comprehensive guide, we will explore the different types of lavender, their typical heights, how they attract pollinators, and provide helpful advice on how to successfully grow lavender in your garden.

Lavender Varieties and Heights

• English Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) Height: 2 to 3 feet (60 to 90 cm)

• French Lavender (Lavandula dentata) Height: 2 to 3 feet (60 to 90 cm)

• Spanish Lavender (Lavandula stoechas) Height: 1 to 2 feet (30 to 60 cm)

Understanding Lavender Varieties

Lavender belongs to the genus Lavandula, which includes around 47 known species. The most common species cultivated in gardens are English lavender (Lavandula angustifolia), French lavender (Lavandula dentata), Spanish lavender (Lavandula stoechas), and hybrid lavenders like Lavandula x intermedia. Each of these species has unique characteristics, including differences in height, growth habits, and climate preferences.lsjflsdkjflsjf

English Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia)

Height: 2 to 3 feet (60 to 90 cm)

Characteristics: English lavender is one of the most popular types of lavender, known for its compact growth, fragrant purple flowers, and green foliage. It is often considered the best lavender for cooler climates, as it is hardy to USDA Hardiness Zones 5-8.

Uses: This lavender variety is prized for its essential oils and culinary use, making it a staple in herb gardens and formal gardens.

Pollinator Attraction: The fragrant flowers of English lavender are highly attractive to bees, butterflies, and other pollinators. By planting this variety in your garden, you help support these essential creatures, which in turn aid in the pollination of other plants in your garden.

Growing Tips: English lavender prefers full sun, well-draining soil, and a sunny spot in your garden. It can tolerate lean soil and is well-suited for rock gardens and areas with rocky soils.sljflsjflskjf

French Lavender (Lavandula dentata)

Height: 2 to 3 feet (60 to 90 cm)

Characteristics: French lavender is known for its toothed, silvery foliage and long, upright flower spikes with purple bracts. It thrives in USDA Hardiness Zones 8-11, making it a good choice for warmer climates.

Uses: While not as fragrant as English lavender, French lavender is still valued for its ornamental appeal and is often used in borders, stone walls, and rock gardens.

Pollinator Attraction: French lavender's vibrant flowers attract a variety of pollinators, including bees and butterflies. The continuous blooming throughout the growing season ensures that your garden is a constant hub of pollinator activity, enhancing the biodiversity of your garden.

Growing Tips: French lavender requires good drainage, especially in winter months, and benefits from the addition of organic matter to improve soil fertility. Avoid overhead watering to prevent fungal disease.

Spanish Lavender (Lavandula stoechas)

Height: 1 to 2 feet (30 to 60 cm)

Characteristics: Spanish lavender is easily recognized by its showy, pineapple-shaped flower heads topped with vibrant purple bracts. It is well-suited for USDA Hardiness Zones 7-10 and performs best in hot, dry climates.

Uses: Spanish lavender is often used in borders, containers, and as an accent plant in formal gardens. It is also a good choice for dry, poor soil conditions.

Pollinator Attraction: Spanish lavender is particularly attractive to bees, which are drawn to its unique flower shape and vibrant colors. By planting Spanish lavender, you can help create a pollinator-friendly garden that supports the health and diversity of these important insects.

Growing Tips: Spanish lavender prefers sandy soil and excellent drainage. It is drought-tolerant once established, making it a great addition to gardens in regions with dry spells.

Lavandin (Lavandula x intermedia)

Height: 2 to 4 feet (60 to 120 cm)

Characteristics: Lavandin is a hybrid lavender resulting from a cross between English lavender and Portuguese lavender (Lavandula latifolia). It is known for its tall, upright flower spikes and silvery foliage. Lavandin is hardy to USDA Zones 5-9 and is commonly grown for its high oil content.

Uses: This type of lavender is widely used in the production of lavender oil, making it a popular choice for commercial growers.

Pollinator Attraction: Lavandin's tall flower spikes and abundant blooms attract a wide range of pollinators, including bees and butterflies. These pollinators not only help to ensure the health of your lavender plants but also contribute to the pollination of other plants in your garden.

Growing Tips: Lavandin thrives in full sun and well-drained soil. It is more tolerant of heavy clay soil than other lavender varieties, but still benefits from good air circulation and minimal overhead watering.

Additional Lavender Varieties

While the above varieties are the most common, there are many other types of lavender that gardeners may encounter. Some of these include:

Lavandula latifolia (Spike Lavender): Grows up to 3 feet tall and is known for its narrow leaves and strong fragrance.

Lavandula multifida (Fernleaf Lavender): A smaller lavender that grows up to 2 feet tall, known for its finely divided leaves and continuous blooming throughout the growing season.

Lavandula viridis (Green Lavender): A rare species with green flowers, growing up to 2 feet tall, and is often used for ornamental purposes.

How Lavender Attracts Pollinators and Benefits Your Garden

Lavender is more than just a fragrant plant; it's a magnet for pollinators, making it an excellent choice for any garden focused on supporting biodiversity. Here's how lavender benefits pollinators and, in turn, your garden:

Bee Magnet: The fragrant flowers of lavender, particularly those of English and Lavandin varieties, are highly attractive to bees. These pollinators are essential for the reproduction of many plants, and by attracting them to your garden with lavender, you help ensure the health and productivity of your other flowering plants and vegetables.

Butterfly Haven: Butterflies are drawn to the nectar-rich blooms of lavender, adding beauty and movement to your garden. Their role as pollinators helps to cross-pollinate flowers, contributing to greater genetic diversity in your garden.

Pollinator Diversity: By planting different types of lavender, such as Spanish or French varieties, you can attract a wide range of pollinators, each playing a unique role in your garden's ecosystem. This diversity ensures that your garden remains vibrant and healthy throughout the growing season.

How to Grow Lavender Successfully in Your Garden

Now that you know how tall different types of lavender can grow and how they attract pollinators, it’s important to understand how to cultivate these beautiful plants successfully. Lavender is a hardy plant, but it does have specific requirements that must be met to thrive.

1. Choosing the Right Location

Lavender plants thrive in full sun, so choose a sunny spot in your garden where they will receive at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight each day. In cooler climates, make sure the location is sheltered from harsh winds, which can damage the plants.

2. Soil Requirements

Lavender prefers well-draining soil, as poor drainage can lead to root rot. Sandy soil or rocky soils are ideal, but lavender can also be grown in heavy clay soil if it is amended with organic matter to improve drainage. Alkaline soil with a pH of 6.5 to 8 is preferred, and adding lime can help raise the pH if necessary.

3. Planting and Spacing

When planting lavender, space the plants 12-18 inches apart to allow for good air circulation, which helps prevent fungal disease. Dig a hole that is slightly larger than the root ball and plant at the same depth as the base of the plant. Backfill with native soil mixed with compost or other organic matter.

4. Watering Needs

Lavender has low water requirements and prefers to be on the drier side. Water new plants regularly during their first year, but once established, lavender is drought-tolerant and only needs watering during prolonged dry spells. Avoid overhead watering to prevent moisture from collecting on the leaves and flowers, which can lead to disease problems.

5. Pruning and Maintenance

Pruning is essential for maintaining healthy lavender plants. In early spring, prune back old wood to encourage new growth and remove any dead or diseased branches. After flowering, trim back the flower stalks to keep the plant tidy and promote bushier growth. Avoid cutting into the old wood, as this can stunt the plant's growth.

6. Fertilization and Mulching

Lavender does not require much fertilizer and can actually suffer in rich soil. A light application of organic mulch around the base of the plant can help retain moisture and keep the root zone cool, especially in hot climates. In lean soil, a small amount of compost or a slow-release fertilizer in early spring can benefit young plants.

7. Dealing with Common Problems

Lavender is generally a hardy plant, but it can suffer from issues like root rot, fungal disease, and poor growth if the right conditions are not met. Ensure good drainage, avoid overhead watering, and provide adequate air circulation to prevent these problems.

8. Harvesting and Using Lavender

Lavender flowers are typically harvested in early summer when the flower buds are just starting to open. Harvesting in the morning, after the dew has dried but before the day’s heat sets in, ensures the highest concentration of essential oils in the flowers. Here’s how you can make the most of your lavender harvest:

Cutting: Use sharp scissors or pruning shears to cut the flower stalks, leaving some green growth on the plant to encourage new blooms.

Drying: To dry lavender, bundle the flower stalks and hang them upside down in a cool, dry place with good air circulation. Once dried, the flowers can be used in sachets, potpourri, or for crafting purposes.

Culinary Use: English lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) is the best lavender for culinary use, adding a unique floral flavor to baked goods, teas, and even savory dishes. Ensure that the lavender you use is free from pesticides or other chemicals if you plan to use it in cooking.

Essential Oils: If you’re interested in extracting essential oils, lavandin (Lavandula x intermedia) is the variety to choose. The high oil content in its flowers makes it ideal for creating lavender oil, which can be used in aromatherapy, skincare products, and natural cleaning solutions.

9. Lavender in the Landscape

Lavender is not only functional but also adds a touch of elegance and beauty to any garden. Here are some ideas on how to incorporate lavender into your garden design:

Borders and Edges: Use lavender to create soft, fragrant borders along pathways, driveways, or around garden beds. The upright flower spikes and silvery foliage add texture and visual interest to these areas.

Rock Gardens: Lavender thrives in rocky soils and is a natural fit for rock gardens. Its drought tolerance and preference for well-drained soil make it an excellent companion for other drought-tolerant plants like sedums and succulents.

Herb Gardens: Lavender is a staple in herb gardens, where it pairs well with rosemary, thyme, and sage. These fragrant plants create a sensory experience that is both visually and aromatically pleasing.

Containers: For those with limited garden space, lavender can be grown in containers. Choose a pot with excellent drainage, fill it with sandy or gritty compost, and place it in a sunny spot. Containers allow you to move the plants around to catch the best sunlight throughout the growing season.

Formal Gardens: In formal gardens, lavender is often used in symmetrical designs or as a low hedge. Its tidy growth habit and fragrant flowers make it a popular choice for creating structure and order in garden layouts.

10. Lavender's Environmental Benefits

Beyond its beauty and utility, lavender offers several environmental benefits, particularly in attracting pollinators and supporting local ecosystems:

Pollinator Support: As discussed, lavender is a magnet for bees, butterflies, and other pollinators. By planting lavender, you are directly contributing to the health of these essential creatures, which are crucial for the pollination of many other plants in your garden and beyond. This support is particularly important in light of declining pollinator populations worldwide.

Low Maintenance and Water Usage: Lavender is drought-tolerant and thrives on the drier side, which means it requires less water than many other garden plants. This characteristic makes it an eco-friendly choice for gardeners looking to reduce water usage, especially in areas prone to dry spells.

Pest Deterrence: Lavender’s strong scent is not only pleasing to humans but also acts as a natural deterrent to many garden pests, such as moths, mosquitoes, and even deer. Planting lavender near your vegetable garden or other vulnerable plants can help reduce the need for chemical pest controls.

Conclusion: Growing Lavender for Beauty and Biodiversity

Lavender is a versatile and rewarding plant to grow in your garden. Whether you’re looking to add beauty and fragrance to your landscape, create a haven for pollinators, or enjoy the benefits of lavender in your home, this plant has much to offer. Understanding the different lavender varieties and their growth habits allows you to select the best type of lavender for your garden and provide the ideal conditions for it to thrive.

By planting lavender, you not only enhance the aesthetic appeal of your garden but also contribute to a healthier, more biodiverse environment. The pollinators that lavender attracts will benefit your entire garden, promoting the growth of other plants and ensuring that your garden remains vibrant and productive throughout the growing season.