There are dozens of beautiful flowers and plants to put in your garden this time of year. But, while it's important for your picks to be visually appealing, added benefits definitely can't hurt. Pretty plants like lavender, for example, are not only visually appealing additions to your garden, but also have several benefits beyond looks. Here's everything you need to know about adding lavender to your garden.
Benefits of Growing Lavender
As with many plants, lavender is naturally very beneficial for a multitude of reasons. According to the The Old Farmers' Almanac, lavender is "prized for its fragrance, medicinal properties...beautiful color," and the fact that it attracts pollinators, like butterflies.
Another extremely helpful benefit of lavender, especially in the summer, is that it acts as a natural insect repellant, Mother Nature Network (MNN) reports. So it actually repels mosquitoes, moths, fleas, and flies, which you'll see a lot of during the hot months ahead—particularly if you live in one of the 15 cities with the worst mosquito problem.
"Although people love the smell of lavender, mosquitoes, flies and other unwanted insects hate it," MNN shares, advising readers to "Place tied bouquets in your home to help keep flies outdoors. Plant it in sunny areas of the garden or near entryways to your house to help keep those areas pest free."
How and When to Plant Lavender
The Almanac also notes that spring is the best season to plant lavender in because the soil is starting to warm up. When you do plant, here are some key tips to follow:
- Plant lavender plants 2 to 3 feet apart as they grow to be between 1 and 3 feet tall.
- Keep your plants away from wet or moist areas and in full sunlight.
- Plant lavender in "poor or moderately fertile soil" with a neutral pH.
- Lavender will bloom in the summer and attract butterflies (as mentioned above.)
Get Started:
Potted Munstead Lavender Herb
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