Companion Planting for Lavender: A Guide for Beginners
Introduction
Companion planting is a great way to improve the health and productivity of your garden. By pairing plants that have complementary needs and benefits, you can create a thriving ecosystem that is more resistant to pests and diseases. Lavender is a popular companion plant because it has a number of beneficial properties, including repelling insects and attracting pollinators.
Choosing Companion Plants for Lavender
When choosing companion plants for lavender, it is important to consider their growing requirements. Lavender prefers full sun, well-drained soil, and infrequent watering. It is also important to choose plants that are not too competitive, as they can crowd out the lavender.
Some good companion plants for lavender include:
- Echinacea
- Aster
- Sedum
- Wild indigo
- Baby’s breath
- Drought tolerant roses
- Gazania
These plants all share similar growing requirements to lavender and will not compete with it for resources. They also produce beautiful flowers that will complement the lavender’s purple blooms.
Benefits of Companion Planting for Lavender
There are many benefits to companion planting for lavender. Some of the most notable benefits include:
- Pest control: Lavender is a natural repellant for moths, slugs, and deer. Planting lavender near other plants that are susceptible to these pests can help to protect them.
- Improved growth: Some companion plants, such as echinacea and aster, can help to improve the growth and yield of lavender.
- Increased pollination: Lavender is a popular plant for pollinators, such as bees and butterflies. Planting other flowering plants near lavender can help to attract more pollinators to your garden, which will benefit all of your plants.
Companion Planting for Specific Pests
In addition to the general benefits of companion planting for lavender, there are also specific companion plants that can be used to target specific pests. For example:
- Fruit trees: Fruit trees are often attacked by moths. Planting lavender near fruit trees can help to repel these pests and improve the yield of fruit.
- Cabbage and broccoli: Cabbage and broccoli are often preyed upon by slugs. Planting lavender near these vegetables can help to deter slugs and protect your crops.
How to Companion Plant Lavender
Companion planting is a simple and effective way to improve the health and productivity of your lavender plants. Here are a few tips for companion planting lavender:
- Choose plants that have complementary needs. Consider the growing requirements of lavender and choose companion plants that have similar needs.
- Avoid planting competitive plants. Choose companion plants that are not too competitive, as they can crowd out the lavender.
- Plant in groups. Planting companion plants in groups will help to create a more beneficial environment for the lavender.
- Water and fertilize regularly. Lavender needs regular watering and fertilizing to thrive. Be sure to water and fertilize your companion plants as well.
By following these tips, you can create a beautiful and productive lavender garden that is full of beneficial companion plants.
