Lavender acts like a magnet to attract honeybees, bumblebees and butterflies. It makes your garden a feast for the eyes! This perennial also has a delightful, calming fragrance. Enough reasons to give this popular plant a spot in your garden.
In the garden
Fluttering, humming and buzzing: lavender (Lavandula) plants will welcome hordes of beneficial insects like honeybees, bumblebees and butterflies to your garden. It’s no wonder that it is listed among the top ten plants for attracting butterflies. For even more butterfly-watching fun, plant this perennial along with other butterfly favourites like stonecrop (Sedum) and purpletop vervain (Verbena). What’s more, you’ll be doing your bit for biodiversity.
Plants for fragrance
Just a whiff of lavender as you pass it by… Remember how pleasant that was? It’s been a favourite for ages; it’s known, for example, that the Romans used the flowers to scent their bathwater. For a summery potpourri in your garden, plant this fragrant plant along with other fragrant perennials like Salvia, Nepeta (catmint) and Lonicera (honeysuckle). A fragrant border is also nice as a façade garden – certain to make passers-by smile.
A field of lavender
It’s easy to think of lavender as playing a leading role in your planting scheme. Don’t be afraid to plant your entire front garden or borders running along your patio in a single variety. When they flower, you’ll think you’re in the middle of France. For these larger surfaces, choose the rugged Lavandula angustifolia and watch your field of lavender bounce back year after year. Did you know that this plant also secretes substances that discourage aphids? No need to spray when you have lavender on the job!
Did you know that…
- Lavender is a delightful cooking ingredient? It is used in jam, vinegar, sweets and tea.
- This fragrant perennial is available in various colours? It comes in light blue, dark blue, white, pinkish white, pink, purple and violet.
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The African Lily, celebrate summer
The Echinacea: it´s not always purple
