Planting lavender and salvia side by side is like hosting a fragrant garden party — you get billow purple spikes , hummingbird visit , and that heady Mediterranean aroma all in one stain ! But I know how discourage it can be when one plant sulks or mold creeps in . Over the years , I ’ve learned which tweaks make these two perennials truly thrive together in harmony .
By honoring their aboriginal root — lavender hailing from rocky Mediterranean hillside and salvias range from Central and South America to the Mediterranean — you’ll give each plant exactly what it crave . From soil adjustments to snip tricks and pollinator strategy , these ten bakshish will serve you cultivate a stunning , bombinate duo that delights senses and wildlife alike !
Scout Early for Pests and Diseases
lilac-colored , though drought - tolerant and relatively pesterer - immune , can have root decompose in ill drain bed , while salvia sometimes attracts aphid , whiteflies , or powdery mildew . It ’s such a bummer to watch aphid clustering blow sap from tender salvia leaves or encounter lavender stem turning slushy !
take the air your garden weekly — peep under salvia leaves for sticky residue or mealybug and probe lavender ’s substructure for firmness . former signal detection mean you’re able to rinse pests off with a gentle spray of water , introduce ladybugs , or give neem oil before issues spread , saving you time — and heartbreak — later !
Water Sparingly and Thoughtfully
Both lavender and salvia begrudge ceaseless sogginess . Lavender ’s roots evolve in rough , juiceless soils of Provence , and while salvia appreciates wet during organisation , overwatering direct to soft stems and fungal attacks . I once overzealously water my sage on a hot good afternoon , only to come back to limp foliation !
drive for an infrequent , recondite soaking : let the top column inch of soil teetotal before watering again . Early - morning tearing is idealistic , as leafage dry out promptly and disease risk falls . Your lavender will intensify its essential oils in response to mild drought accent , and your salvia will reward you with inflexible , vigorous growth !
Select Complementary Varieties
Lavender boasts type like English ( Lavandula angustifolia ) , French ( L. dentata ) , and Spanish ( L. stoechas ) , each with unparalleled hardiness and blossom physique . Salvias hunt down the gamut from low - growing Salvia nemorosa cultivar to improbable , hummingbird - magnet Salvia guaranitica . Mismatched heights or peak times can leave one industrial plant overshadowed .
For a balanced display , pair English lavender ( 12–18″ magniloquent ) with mid - height salvias around 18–24″ , like Salvia × sylvestris ‘ May Night . ’ I once pair Spanish lavender ( about 15″ ) with thick Salvia nemorosa ‘ Caradonna , ’ and the deep purple prow of ‘ Caradonna ’ echoed the lavender ’s bloom attractively — in truth one of my favourite combo !
Mulch Carefully to Suppress Weeds
A light gravel or pine - acerate leaf mulch mimics lavender ’s native terrain and helps repress pot that compete for water . But pile mulch thick against stems ask for moisture buildup , leading to rot in both species . I learned this the punishing way when my lavender crowns sat in damp mulch all wintertime !
Keep mulch a couple of inches away from the base — just enough to shade sens seed and reflect heat into the filth . That way , your lavender roots stay crisp and salvias avoid marshy crown , and you spend less time weeding and more time enjoying blooms .
Ensure Full Sun Exposure
Lavender and most salvia crave at least six hour of direct sun . In shadowed nook , lavender becomes leggy with thin efflorescence , and salvia ’s rich hue slice , producing flimsy stem . I once trialed a north - facing bed and got two sad , lank plants !
If your garden has varying sun patterns , consider containers you’re able to move to chase sunlight . Under bright sunlight , lavender ’s fragrant oil intensify , and salvias burst into their truest colour — plus pollinators , from bee to hummingbird , will flock to that cheery hotspot !
Amend Soil for Excellent Drainage
Lavender prosper in arenaceous , bumpy soil that double Mediterranean slopes , and while salvia tolerates richer loams , both hate waterlogged root word . impenetrable remains beds spell root rotting and poor growth . I once planted mine in unamended clay and felt their wretchedness all time of year !
Before planting , mix in coarse guts , horticultural backbone , or fine gravel with existing grime — about 30–50 % amendment . you’re able to fold in a scrap of well - aged compost for food without turning the bed into a sponge . Your lavender will grow crocked , vigorous ancestor balls , and your salvia will stand tall , not flop .
Mind Soil pH Requirements
English lavender prefer mildly alkaline soils ( pH 7.0–8.0 ) , whereas many sage flourish in electroneutral to slenderly acidic ground ( pH 6.0–7.0 ) . Skip a simple grease test , and you risk nutrient deficiencies — lavender could show piteous inflorescence , and salvia ’s foliage might yellow .
Use a nursing home pH kit or send a sample to a lab . If your bottom skew acid , total lime or smash oyster shell ; if to a fault alkaline , contain sulfur or peat moss sparingly . Balanced pH ensures both plant life engulf phosphorus and other vital mineral , leading to plush growth and those captivating scents we gardeners adore !
Provide Adequate Spacing
Lavender forms mound clumps up to 2–3 feet wide , while sage motley from clump to sprawling . Overcrowding qualify flow of air , tempt gray mold on lavender and powdery mildew on salvia — such a chore to remedy !
Allow at least 18–24″ between lavender crowns and 12–18″ around salvia plant . This ventilation room prevents disease , makes maintenance easy , and allow you admire each plant ’s unique structure . I learned the note value of space after my first cramped bed turned into a tangled maze that summer !
Encourage Pollinators by Allowing Some Blooms
Lavender ’s fragrant flower spike appeal ground - nesting miner bees and honeybee , while salvia ’s tubular blossoms are resistless to hummingbirds and butterflies . If you deadhead every bloom of youth , you ’ll miss out on nature ’s own garden show !
Let a few flower spikes remain after the main prime to offer recent - season nectar . You ’ll delight in watching bumblebees tunnel into lilac heyday and hummingbird dart around salvia — every 24-hour interval feels like a visit to a wild flower hayfield !
Prune at the Right Time and Manner
Lavender benefits from a spring trim — reduce back about one - third of last year ’s development after new shoots come along , but avert cutting into old , woody staunch or you adventure no regrowth . Salvia , on the other hand , often thrives on deadheading — lop spend flower spike encourages a 2nd efflorescence .
For lavender , use sharp-worded shear to shape a gentle dome and stir fresh growth . For salvia , clip just above a duad of healthy farewell once efflorescence fade . I have it off the excitement of seeing fresh salvia buds work week by and by — bonus blossoms are the best reward !
Credit: Unsplash
credit: unsplash
Credit: Unsplash
Credit: Unsplash
credit: unsplash
credit: unsplash
credit: unsplash
credit: unsplash
Credit: Unsplash
credit: unsplash
