Lavender: Ideas for Colour, Scent and Wildlife

There's something undeniably charming about lavender. Whether you've been inspired by the rolling purple fields of Provence or simply want to add a touch of fragrant beauty to your garden, a lavender hedge can transform your outdoor space.

Lavender Varieties: Which Is Best?

Many gardeners return from holidays in France or Italy enchanted by lavender fields and specifically look to purchase "French lavender." What most people don't realise is that those magnificent French fields are often planted with English lavender (Lavandula angustifolia), which actually offers superior scent and hardiness in UK gardens.

Among English lavender varieties grown in the UK, two stand out:

Lavender ‘Hidcote’

Our top recommendation and best-seller features:

• Neat, compact growth habit
• Superior fragrance
• Rich, dark purple flowers
• Excellent structure

Lavender ‘Munstead’

A popular alternative with:

• Slightly lighter purple blooms
• A more relaxed ‘shaggy’ appearance

At Mathias Nurseries, we primarily stock 'Hidcote' as it consistently delivers what our customers want: beautiful, fragrant lavender that flowers reliably all summer long.

Why Choose Lavender for Your Garden?

Lavender is beloved for many reasons, and it's easy to see why. Here are just a few of the multiple benefits that make it perfect for British gardens:

Lavender Hedge Plants for Wildlife 

One of the most compelling reasons to incorporate lavender hedges into your garden design is their extraordinary appeal to wildlife.

When lavender is in flower, the buzzing activity is impossible to miss. You’ll rarely seen a flourishing lavender plant without butterflies and bees making themselves at home among the blooms. It's simply one of the most reliable pollinator-attracting plants we can grow in our climate.

Consider these lavender hedge ideas to boost biodiversity:

• Create a lavender border along pathways to enjoy the fragrance as you brush past
• Plant a mixed pollinator hedge combining lavender with other bee-friendly plants
• Design a kitchen garden boundary with lavender to attract pollinators to your vegetable patch
• Install a lavender-lined driveway for a fragrant welcome home

The extended flowering period makes lavender an essential food source for pollinators, supporting local ecosystems throughout summer.        

From sheltering birds to providing food for pollinators, here are 10 more of the best hedges for wildlife. 

Year-Round Interest

While lavender is primarily valued for its summer display, it offers year-round structure in the garden. After flowering, the plant enters a different but still attractive phase.

Over the winter, the foliage takes on a silvery-grey, leathery appearance that, while subdued, provides important structure during the dormant season. Many gardeners appreciate this winter character, though some mistakenly believe the plant is struggling.

Don't be alarmed by this winter appearance! Come spring, those grey stems will burst with new greeny-blue leaves, heralding another spectacular flowering season.

For the best display, consider these maintenance tips:

• Cut back fairly hard in winter to encourage bushier growth
• Remove spent flowers in autumn to keep plants tidy
• Don't worry about the "leathery grey" winter appearance - this is normal

Versatile Growing Options

Another advantage of incorporating lavender hedges into your garden design is their versatility. Lavender thrives in various settings:

In-Ground Planting:

Planting lavender directly in the garden is perfect for creating proper hedges and permanent garden features. When planted in the ground, lavender can really establish itself, developing deep root systems that help it thrive year after year. It's ideal for defining spaces in your garden or creating beautiful, fragrant boundaries that will mature and improve with age.

Container Planting

Lavender plants are also brilliant for patios and balconies when grown in containers. The beauty of pot-grown lavender is that you can move it around as needed - perhaps to highlight a particular area when it's in flower or to a more sheltered spot during harsh weather. This flexibility makes it perfect for renters or anyone whose garden layout changes frequently.

Unlike many garden plants, lavender actually does really well in pots. Its Mediterranean roots mean it's quite happy in drier conditions. While most plants sulk if you forget to water them, lavender is much more forgiving. It doesn't need loads of feed or fancy compost either.

This makes it perfect for those spots where nothing else seems to grow well, or for gardeners who aren't able to give plants constant attention.

Getting Started with Lavender Hedges

When you're shopping for lavender plants, you might notice two different types:

Older Plants

These might look a bit woody and grey, especially if they've been cut back after flowering. Don't be put off by their appearance! These mature plants actually have well-developed roots and will give you the best flower display in their first year with you. They're better value in the long run, even if they don't look as pretty on the sales bench or in photos.

Young, Fresh Plants

These look lush and green with lots of new growth. They're certainly more appealing to look at when you're buying, but they'll take longer to settle in and won't flower quite as well in their first season. By year two, though, they'll catch up.

Either type will make a lovely lavender hedge - it just depends whether you want instant impact or are happy to wait a bit longer for the best display.

Why We Love Lavender

After years of growing and selling plants at Mathias Nurseries, we’ve seen trends come and go. But lavender has remained consistently popular, and for good reason!

Few plants give you so much for so little effort. The combination of gorgeous purple flowers, that unmistakable scent, and the wildlife benefits make lavender hard to beat. Plus, it looks just as good in a country cottage garden as it does in a sleek, modern design.

Whether you're planning a formal hedge, a garden border, or just want a few pots by the front door, lavender is a brilliant choice that won't let you down.

At Mathias Nurseries, we're always happy to help customers find the right lavender variety for their garden. Pop in and see us, and we can chat through the options for your space. Take a look at our range of Lavender plants or get in touch today for more information – we’re here to help!