Blue fescue and lavender are popular choices for many gardeners, admired for their distinct textures and colors. These two plants offer a harmonious combination when cultivated together. This article provides guidance on successfully growing them in your garden.
Benefits of Pairing Blue Fescue and Lavender
Planting blue fescue and lavender together creates a visually appealing garden space. The mounding, fine-textured blue-green foliage of blue fescue contrasts well with the upright, spiky purple blooms and silvery-green leaves of lavender, adding depth to garden beds.
These plants share several practical benefits. Both are low-maintenance once established, tolerant of dry conditions, and resistant to deer and rabbits. Lavender attracts beneficial pollinators like bees and butterflies with its fragrant flowers. Blue fescue’s dense, clumping growth can also help suppress weeds, benefiting the neighboring lavender.
Essential Growing Conditions for Both
Successful cultivation of blue fescue and lavender relies on similar environmental conditions. Both plants thrive in full sun, requiring at least six to eight hours of direct sunlight daily for robust growth and vibrant color. Blue fescue’s distinct blue hue intensifies with more sun, and lavender produces more blooms.
Well-draining soil is another shared requirement, as neither plant tolerates consistently wet or soggy conditions. Sandy or gravelly loam is ideal, as it allows water to drain quickly, preventing root issues. A neutral to slightly alkaline soil pH is preferred by both, and good drainage is particularly important for preventing root rot, which can negatively impact these plants.
How to Plant Them Together
Soil preparation is crucial for a thriving blue fescue and lavender pairing. Loosen the soil to a depth of six to eight inches, incorporating organic matter or horticultural grit if your soil is heavy clay to improve drainage. This ensures the roots can establish themselves without becoming waterlogged. Dig a planting hole approximately twice the width of the root ball, but only as deep as the root ball itself.
Place the plants in the prepared holes, ensuring the top of the root ball is level with the surrounding soil. Space blue fescue plants 8 to 12 inches apart for a continuous groundcover effect, and lavender plants 1 to 3 feet apart, depending on the variety’s mature size. Backfill with soil, firming it around the base of each plant to remove any air pockets. After planting, water thoroughly to help settle the soil, but avoid overwatering, as these plants are sensitive to excessive moisture.
Ongoing Care for a Combined Planting
Maintaining a combined planting of blue fescue and lavender is simple due to their shared preferences for minimal intervention. Once established, both plants are drought-tolerant and require infrequent watering. Overwatering can cause problems, so allow the soil to dry out completely between waterings, especially for lavender.
Pruning benefits both species, maintaining their form and promoting health. Trim lavender after its main flowering period to encourage new blooms and a compact shape, avoiding cutting into old woody stems. Shear blue fescue back to three to four inches in early spring to remove old, brown foliage and stimulate new growth. Fertilization is rarely necessary, as these plants thrive in lean to moderately fertile soils.