Planting heather and lavender together creates a visually appealing and fragrant garden space. Both plants offer unique textures and colors, enhancing the garden’s charm and attracting beneficial pollinators. Successfully combining these two beautiful plants involves understanding their specific needs and preparing the environment accordingly.
Understanding Heather and Lavender Compatibility
Heather (Calluna vulgaris and Erica species) and lavender (Lavandula species) are natural companions, sharing a preference for full sun and excellent drainage. Both thrive in sunny locations, needing at least six hours of direct sunlight daily for abundant flowering and healthy growth. Well-drained soil is also crucial, as both are susceptible to root rot in waterlogged conditions.
Their primary difference lies in soil pH requirements. Heather prefers acidic soil (pH 4.5-5.5), reflecting its native peaty or sandy acidic habitats. Lavender, conversely, thrives in neutral to slightly alkaline soil (pH 6.5-7.5). This pH difference is a significant consideration, as planting them together in unamended soil can cause one or both plants to struggle.
Creating the Ideal Environment
Addressing the soil pH difference is key to successfully growing heather and lavender together. Creating distinct planting zones or raised beds allows you to tailor soil pH for each plant. For heather, incorporate acidic amendments like peat moss or ericaceous compost to lower pH. For lavender, if soil is too acidic, add agricultural lime or wood ash to raise pH to its preferred neutral to alkaline range.
Ensuring superior drainage is equally important for both. If your garden has heavy clay soil, amend it with coarse sand, grit, or organic matter to improve aeration and water percolation. Raised beds naturally enhance drainage and offer a convenient way to control soil composition. Also select a site with full sun exposure, as both plants require ample light to flourish.
Planting Successfully
Once the planting site is prepared, planting requires careful attention. Dig a hole for each plant approximately twice as wide as its root ball and of similar depth. Gently remove the plant from its container; if roots are circling or tightly packed, carefully loosen them to encourage outward growth.
Position the plant so the top of its root ball is level with the soil line; for heather, plant slightly deeper with lower foliage resting on the soil surface. Backfill the hole with the prepared soil, gently firming it around the root ball to remove any air pockets. Proper spacing is important for air circulation and mature plant size: lavender needs 18-36 inches, and heather 2-3 feet between plants. Water thoroughly after planting to help settle the soil and reduce transplant shock.
Ongoing Maintenance for Combined Plantings
Consistent care helps heather and lavender establish and thrive. During their first growing season, both benefit from regular watering to encourage root development. Once established (typically 1-3 years), both become more drought-tolerant and require less frequent watering. Established lavender should be watered infrequently and deeply, mainly during prolonged dry spells, as overwatering can lead to root rot.
Pruning is important to maintain plant health and shape. Prune lavender annually after blooming (late summer/early fall) by removing spent flower stalks and cutting back one-third to two-thirds of the plant’s height, avoiding old, woody stems. Heather also benefits from annual pruning after flowering or in early spring to encourage bushier growth and prevent legginess. Apply acidic mulch (pine bark or leaf mold) around heather to maintain soil acidity and suppress weeds. Use rock or pea gravel for lavender, keeping it away from the plant’s crown.
Designing with Heather and Lavender
Combining heather and lavender offers diverse design possibilities, leveraging their distinct characteristics for visual interest. Their varied textures—heather’s fine, needle-like foliage and lavender’s silvery-green leaves—create appealing contrasts. Bloom times also differ, allowing for extended garden color: many heathers bloom late summer into fall, while lavender typically flowers in summer.
Their complementary color palettes—heather’s pinks, purples, and whites, and lavender’s signature violet hues—allow for harmonious groupings or dramatic color blocks. These plants can be massed to create flowing carpets of color, used as borders along pathways, or incorporated into rock gardens. Beyond aesthetics, both heather and lavender attract pollinators like bees and butterflies, enriching garden biodiversity.