Zone: 5 to 8

Soil: sand

Light: Full sun to part sun

Bloom colour: Blue to purple

Bloom period: June to August

Height: 12 - 18 inches

Moisture: Dry to medium, well drained

Attracts: Some bees and butterflies.

Notes: If you have ever seen the fields of Lavender in Provence, you would understand why I do not particularly recommend English Lavender as a specimen plant. It looks fantastic en masse or as edging rows. The plant comes from the Mediterranean and once it is established, it does not need watering. It is an excellent choice for xeric garden beds. It will grow in clay soils, but it will not look great and is subject to root rot.

Lavenders have aromatic leaves and they flower for a long time. Although they are not native to Canada, they remain an attractive and popular garden plant in North America. There are better wildlife plants out there. Consider Calamints, Nodding Wild Onion, Hybrid Oregano or Annual salvia as a replacement.