Lavender is the quintessential bee plant — fragrant, drought-hardy and beautiful, with edible flowers for baking and tea. It craves sun and sharp drainage, which a raised bed delivers perfectly.
Quick facts
- Position: full sun
- Spacing: 40–60 cm apart
- Tub depth: our 23 cm+ depth; sharp drainage
- Time to harvest: from year 1–2, seasonally
When to plant: Plant in spring or autumn. Lavender is a hardy perennial shrub — choose a variety suited to your climate. Our free planting calendar shows the right months for your postcode.
Growing it in a raised bed: Plant into free-draining, even gritty mix in full sun — the one thing it won't abide is wet feet, which a raised bed solves. Prune lightly after flowering to keep it bushy and stop it going woody.
How to use it: The flowers are edible in small amounts — lovely in shortbread, honey and tea. In the garden, lavender is one of the very best plants for drawing in bees and other pollinators.
Common pests: keep an eye out for aphids, though flowers are seldom much bothered. See our safe pest guide.
Common problems: the main one to watch is powdery mildew, usually in damp, crowded conditions. Good airflow prevents most.
Where to plant it: Plant it in a hot, dry spot where the bees can find it; it pairs well with other Mediterranean herbs. See our companion planting guide.
More growing guides: society garlic, cosmos and bee balm.
Plan your patch: our free planting calendar shows what to plant now where you live. Ready to grow? Browse our raised garden beds or build your own with the garden bed builder.
Image: Loïc Mermilliod loacfr, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons.
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