Creating a Lavender Hedge

Lavender Hedges, Lavender Paths

Lavender hedge, Lavender hedging, Lavender hedges, English Lavender, Spanish lavender, French Lavender, lavandula angustifolia, lavandula stoechas, lavandula x intermedia, Lavender path, fragrant hedges

There is nothing as spectacular and enjoyable as rows of Lavender with their upright spikes of delightfully fragrant flowers swaying elegantly in the summer breeze. Enjoying a long flowering season, Lavender plants are fairly easy to grow and do not generally suffer from any pest or disease attack provided a site with good drainage and an open sunny situation are provided. Drought and deer-tolerant, Lavender is also attractive to pollinators that are beneficial to the garden – and to onlookers who will have difficulty resisting the charm of rows of flowering Lavender!

Dozens of Lavender varieties are available and finding the right Lavender plant for your needs is not always an easy task. To assist you in selecting the right plant, we have prepared this guide, which we hope will be helpful to you.

Main Lavender Types

Lavandula angustifolia, also called True Lavender or Common Lavender has long been cultivated for its high-quality lavender oil. Cultivars of this species tend to be compact in habit and have grayish-green narrow leaves and relatively short compact flower spikes. This Lavender type is great for formal or informal edging along walkways, raised wall beds, rock gardens, herb gardens, and in mass plantings. Flowering typically occurs from late spring to midsummer.
Lavandula x intermedia, also called Lavandin, is a hybrid cross between Lavandula angustifolia and Lavandula latifolia. Cultivars are slightly less hardy than L. angustifolia and are taller with mounds of gray foliage and long loose spikes. This Lavender type is great for hedges or as an accent plant and is also used for potpourris. Flowering typically occurs from mid to late summer.
Lavandula Stoechas also called French Lavender, Spanish Lavender or Butterfly Lavender is recognizable by the conspicuous sterile bracts resembling extravagant ears, on top of the short dense inﬂorescence. This Lavender loves hot weather but is more tender (Hardiness 8-9) than other Lavenders. A beautiful selection for mass plantings or containers. Flowering is almost continuous and typically occurs from mid-spring to late summer.

For the gardeners who would like to get a head start on creating a Lavender hedge, here is a list of suggested Lavender plants.

Guide Information

Hardiness	5 - 11
Heat Zones	5 - 8
Climate Zones	2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
Plant Type	Herbs, Perennials, Shrubs
Genus	Lavandula
Exposure	Full Sun
Season of Interest	Spring (Late), Summer (Early, Mid, Late)
Maintenance	Average
Water Needs	Low
Soil Type	Chalk, Loam, Sand
Soil pH	Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage	Well-Drained
Characteristics	Dried Arrangements, Cut Flowers, Fragrant, Showy
Tolerance	Drought, Deer, Rabbit, Dry Soil, Rocky Soil
Attracts	Bees, Butterflies
Landscaping Ideas	Edging, Hedges And Screens, Banks And Slopes, Beds And Borders, Patio And Containers
Garden Styles	City and Courtyard, Coastal Garden, Gravel and Rock Garden, Informal and Cottage, Mediterranean Garden, Traditional Garden

Lavandula angustifolia - English Lavender

Lavandula angustifolia ‘Betty’s Blue’ (Lavender)

Compact and tidy, English Lavender ‘Betty’s Blue’ is a wonderful accent plant with large, deep violet-blue flowers on erect stems. Sweetly fragrant and reliable, it’s perfect for low hedges, knot gardens, and containers. This culinary and drying lavender blooms once in midsummer, with the possibility of additional flushes if properly pruned.

Hardiness	5 - 9
Seasons	Summer (Mid, Late)
Height	2' - 3' (60cm - 90cm)
Spread	2' - 3' (60cm - 90cm)

Lavandula angustifolia ‘Folgate’ (Lavender)

With its neat and tight bloom habit, Lavender ‘Folgate’ looks great year-round. The compact bush boasts narrow leaves and fragrant, iridescent violet blooms. Ideal for cut flowers and low hedges, it blooms once in mid to late spring. It may have additional flushes of flowers if pruned promptly. Hardy and resilient, ‘Folgate’ withstands cold temperatures and returns reliably each year.

Hardiness	5 - 9
Seasons	Spring (Mid, Late), Summer (Early)
Height	2' - 3' (60cm - 90cm)
Spread	2' - 3' (60cm - 90cm)

Lavandula angustifolia ‘Miss Katherine’ (Lavender)

Highly fragrant, English Lavender ‘Miss Katherine’ is a stunning pink variety with spreading foliage and abundant deep pink flowers. Its long-lasting blooms and captivating fragrance make it one of the most desirable pink lavenders. Blooms once in late spring or early summer, with potential for additional flowering if promptly cut.

Hardiness	5 - 9
Seasons	Spring (Late), Summer (Early, Mid)
Height	2' - 3' (60cm - 90cm)
Spread	2' - 3' (60cm - 90cm)

Lavandula angustifolia ‘Munstead’ (Lavender)

Lavandula angustifolia ‘Munstead’ (English Lavender) is a compact perennial or shrub known for its vibrant purple blooms and sweet fragrance. Thriving in full sun and well-drained soil, it attracts pollinators and is drought-tolerant. Munstead Lavender is popular in gardens for its ornamental value and culinary uses, providing beauty and aroma year-round.

Hardiness	5 - 9
Seasons	Spring (Late), Summer (Early, Mid)
Height	1' - 2' (30cm - 60cm)
Spread	2' - 3' (60cm - 90cm)

Lavandula angustifolia ‘Nana Alba’ (Lavender)

Lavandula angustifolia ‘Nana Alba’ is a compact and highly floriferous dwarf Lavender. Its snow-white flowers on short spikes stand out against silvery-green foliage. Growing in a bushy dome, it is perfect for containers, white gardens, or small gardens. It blooms once in midsummer, with the potential for additional flushes if the flowers are pruned promptly.

Hardiness	5 - 9
Seasons	Summer (Mid, Late)
Height	10" - 1' (25cm - 30cm)
Spread	1' - 2' (30cm - 60cm)

Lavandula angustifolia ‘Rosea’ (Lavender)

A delightful choice! Lavandula angustifolia ‘Rosea’ (Jean Davis) is a compact and strongly fragrant lavender with elegant upright pale pink flowers that beautifully contrast with the silver-gray foliage. It’s perfect for culinary use, containers, beds, borders, and formal knot gardens. Blooming once in late spring or early summer, it may have additional flushes if flowers are promptly cut.

Hardiness	5 - 9
Seasons	Spring (Late), Summer (Early, Mid)
Height	2' - 3' (60cm - 90cm)
Spread	2' - 3' (60cm - 90cm)

Lavandula angustifolia ‘Royal Purple’ (Lavender)

With its profusion of vibrant lilac flowers, English Lavender ‘Royal Purple’ is a top choice for hedges or as an accent plant. Introduced in the 1940s, this majestic lavender blooms in early summer, reaching up to 30 inches (75 cm) tall. Its sweet fragrance and bushy growth make it perfect for crafts and culinary uses.

Hardiness	5 - 9
Seasons	Summer (Early, Mid)
Height	2' - 3' (60cm - 90cm)
Spread	3' - 4' (90cm - 120cm)

Lavandula angustifolia ‘Royal Velvet’ (Lavender)

With its rich, velvety dark navy blue flowers, English Lavender ‘Royal Velvet’ is a captivating choice. The long stems and intense color make it perfect for cut flowers, and its rapid growth and tolerance to wet winters are highly valued. This lavender blooms twice, starting in late spring or early summer.

Hardiness	5 - 9
Seasons	Spring (Late), Summer (Early, Mid)
Height	2' - 3' (60cm - 90cm)
Spread	2' - 3' (60cm - 90cm)

Lavandula x intermedia - Lavandin

Lavandula x intermedia ‘Grosso’ (Lavender)

Lavandula x intermedia ‘Grosso’ is a robust Lavender variety known for its intense fragrance. It showcases striking deep violet flower spikes, reaching up to 6 inches in length (15 cm), earning it the nickname ‘Fat Lavender’. ‘Grosso’ is ideal for crafting wands or sachets, as its flowers retain both their scent and color when dried. It blooms from mid to late summer, adding beauty and aroma to the garden.

Hardiness	5 - 8
Seasons	Summer (Mid, Late)
Height	2' - 3' (60cm - 90cm)
Spread	2' - 3' (60cm - 90cm)

Lavandula x intermedia ‘Provence’ (Lavender)

Lavandin ‘Provence’ is a lavender variety that deserves many superlatives. It excels in humid summers, offers a strong fragrance, and is ideal for creating hedges. This prolific bloomer showcases exceptionally large flower spikes with beautiful pale lavender highlights from early to late summer. Known as ‘Fat Lavender’, its flower heads can reach up to 3 inches long (8 cm).

Hardiness	5 - 8
Seasons	Summer (Mid, Late)
Height	2' - 3' (60cm - 90cm)
Spread	2' - 3' (60cm - 90cm)

Lavandula stoechas - Spanish Lavender

Lavandula pedunculata subsp. pedunculata (Lavender)

With its tall, upright habit and stunning dark plum flower heads topped by pale purple bracts, Lavandula pedunculata subsp. pedunculata is a captivating French Lavender. Its aromatic gray-green foliage adds to its allure. Ideal for mass planting, low hedges, or containers, this lavender blooms almost continuously from mid-late spring to late summer and can even flower year-round in mild climates.

Hardiness	9 - 11
Seasons	Spring (Mid, Late), Summer (Early, Late)
Height	1' - 2' (30cm - 60cm)
Spread	1' - 2' (30cm - 60cm)

Lavandula stoechas ‘Ballerina’ (Spanish Lavender)

A very attractive bicolor Lavender indeed! Lavandula stoechas ‘Ballerina’ features plump purple flower heads topped with long-lasting white flowers delicately fading to pink and purple as they mature. Highly aromatic silvery foliage. Great for mass planting, low hedges or containers. This French Lavender blooms almost continuously from mid-late spring to late summer.

Hardiness	8 - 9
Seasons	Spring (Mid, Late), Summer (Early, Late)
Height	1' - 2' (30cm - 60cm)
Spread	1' - 2' (30cm - 60cm)

Lavandula stoechas ‘Fathead’ (Spanish Lavender)

Quite compact, Lavandula stoechas ‘Fathead’ features plump round flower heads topped with long-lasting dark purple bracts delicately fading to pink as they mature. This French Lavender blooms almost continuously from mid-late spring to late summer.

Hardiness	8 - 9
Seasons	Spring (Mid, Late), Summer (Early, Late)
Height	1' - 2' (30cm - 60cm)
Spread	1' - 2' (30cm - 60cm)

Lavandula stoechas ‘Kew Red’ (Spanish Lavender)

A very attractive and unusual bicolor Lavender, Lavandula stoechas ‘Kew Red’ features plump, bright, deep crimson-pink flower heads topped with pale pink bracts delicately fading to white as they mature. This French Lavender blooms almost continuously from mid-late spring to late summer.

Hardiness	7 - 9
Seasons	Spring (Mid, Late), Summer (Early, Late)
Height	1' - 2' (30cm - 60cm)
Spread	1' - 2' (30cm - 60cm)

Lavandula stoechas ‘Regal Splendour’ (Spanish Lavender)

Very eye-catching and floriferous, Lavandula stoechas ‘Regal Splendour’ features plump, rich violet-blue flower heads topped with long pinkish-purple bracts creating a lovely contrast. This French Lavender blooms almost continuously from mid-late spring to late summer.

Hardiness	8 - 9
Seasons	Spring (Mid, Late), Summer (Early, Late)
Height	2' - 3' (60cm - 90cm)
Spread	2' - 3' (60cm - 90cm)

Planting a Lavender Hedge

Planting a lavender hedge can be a beautiful and aromatic addition to your garden. Here’s a simple guide:

Choose the Right Lavender: Pick a variety that suits your climate and soil conditions. English lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) is a popular choice for hedges due to its compact growth habit and winter hardiness.
Plan the Layout: For a dense hedge, space plants roughly 12-18 inches (30-45 cm) apart. Choose a sunny, well-drained location.
Prepare the Soil: Lavender prefers neutral to slightly alkaline soil. Add lime if your soil is too acidic. Incorporate organic matter to improve drainage.
Plant: Before planting, make sure the ground is cleared of weeds, as small Lavender plants cannot compete with aggressive weeds, and weeding after they are planted can be a real hassle. Dig a hole wide and deep enough for the root ball. Position the plant so the top of the root ball is level with the soil surface. Mulching with a small particle mulch or compost after planting helps control weeds.
Care: Water thoroughly after planting, but then be careful not to overwater. Lavender is drought-tolerant and excessive moisture can lead to root rot.
Pruning: Trim plants lightly in the spring to maintain the hedge shape and promote bushy growth.

A lavender hedge can provide year-round interest, lovely color, and fragrance to your garden. Plus, it’s attractive to bees and other beneficial insects.

Discover These Helpful Guides for Further Reading

Lavandula x intermedia (Lavandin)

Lavender: How to choose the right one?

Learn How To Plant, Care and Grow Gorgeous Lavender

Planting and Caring for Lavender in Pots

Lavender Main Types

Lavandula angustifolia (English Lavender)

Garden Examples

A Fabulous Duo: Rose ‘Bonica’ and Lavender ‘Hidcote’

A Lovely Fragrant Path

A Lovely Mediterranean Path

A Lovely Mediterranean Border with Lavender and Lilies of the Nile

A Fragrant Summer Border with Roses, Lavender, Pinks and Sea Holly

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While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.