The Essential Lavender Guide for French Country Gardens

Lavender in the French Country Garden

Lavender has an undeniable place in the heart of any French country garden. Its timeless beauty, unmistakable fragrance, and versatility make it a staple from the rolling fields of Provence to the quaint cottage gardens of Normandy. Lavender is more than just a plant—it’s a sensory experience, an invitation to linger in the garden just a little longer. Lavender is essential in French gardens so lets explore how you can incorporate it into your own outdoor space.

Lavender’s Role in French Gardens

Lavender captures the essence of French gardening with its ability to fit seamlessly in both rustic and formal garden settings. Its silvery-green foliage and abundant blooms offer texture and color that anchor garden designs, whether they’re meticulously structured or a little more on the wild side. Its adaptability means it can be found all over France, from sunny Mediterranean climates to cooler northern locales, and even in Paris if you know where to look! This also means it can be grown in almost any garden and climate.

Lavender is excellent for attracting pollinators like bees and butterflies and its fragrant volatile oils are cherished for aromatherapy and medicinal purposes. And bringing the dried blooms indoors preserves the scent of summer all year round.

French vs. English Lavender

While both French and English lavenders share many characteristics, there are key differences to consider when choosing the right variety for your garden. English lavender (‘Lavandula angustifolia‘) is known for its compact size, cold hardiness, and strong fragrance. It thrives in cooler climates and is often used for culinary purposes. French lavender (‘Lavandula dentata‘), on the other hand, features distinctive toothed leaves and a more subtle fragrance. It is less cold-hardy and better suited to warmer climates, where it blooms over a longer season.

A Cultivar for Every Need

Lavenders vary greatly in their unique characteristics. When selecting the right cultivar for your garden consider hardiness, growth habit, fragrance, and even desirability for medicinal and cosmetic use. There’s something for (almost) any climate! Here are a few standout varieties:

‘Hidcote’ (Lavandula angustifolia)

• USDA Hardiness Zones: 5-9
• Known for its deep purple blooms and compact growth habit, ‘Hidcote’ is ideal for borders and hedges. Its flowers are rich in essential oils, making them perfect for sachets and potpourri.

Munstead

• USDA Hardiness Zones: 5-9
• A classic choice for beginners, ‘Munstead’ is hardy, fragrant, and easy to grow. Its slightly lighter blooms make a striking contrast against its gray-green leaves.

‘Edelweiss’

• USDA Hardiness Zones: 5-9
• For a touch of elegance, try this white-blooming lavender. ‘Edelweiss’ adds a subtle sophistication to garden borders and pairs beautifully with other pastel perennials. I especially like to grow white lavender with roses.

‘Fernleaf’ (Lavandula multifida)

• USDA Hardiness Zones: 8-10
• This variety stands out for its delicate, fern-like foliage and striking violet-blue flowers. It’s less hardy than other lavenders but thrives in warmer climates and adds an unusual texture to your garden.

Spanish Lavender (Lavandula stoechas)

• USDA Hardiness Zones: 6-9
• Recognizable by its distinctive pineapple-shaped blooms topped with petal-like bracts, Spanish lavender is a pollinator favorite and thrives in drier soils.

‘Gros Bleu’ (Lavandula x intermedia)

• USDA Hardiness Zones: 5-8
• Famous for its long flower spikes and strong fragrance, the iconic ‘Gros Bleu” is a standout for lavender fields and garden borders alike.

‘Grosso’ (Lavandula x intermedia)

• USDA Hardiness Zones: 5-9
• This vigorous hybrid is widely grown for essential oil production and boasts large, highly fragrant blooms.

‘Phenomenal’ (Lavandula x intermedia)

• USDA Hardiness Zones: 5-9
• Known for its cold and humidity tolerance, ‘Phenomenal’ is a reliable choice for gardeners in less-than-ideal lavender-growing conditions. This variety grows very well for me in my zone 6b garden, despite lots of snow and wet in the winter accompanied by sometimes surprisingly humid summers.

‘Sensational’ (Lavandula x intermedia)

• USDA Hardiness Zones: 5-9
• A recent introduction, ‘Sensational’ features improved foliage, larger blooms, and excellent drought tolerance.

‘Goodwin Creek Grey’ (Lavandula hybrid)

• USDA Hardiness Zones: 7-10
• This compact variety is perfect for container and is prized for its silvery, finely textured foliage and extended blooming season.

Need some more help choosing a variety? Check out this very helpful video by Fraser Valley Rose Farm where he discusses different varieties with an expert lavender grower.

Whatever variety you choose, it’s guaranteed to lend that iconic French charm and grace to your garden.

Starting Lavender from Seed

Growing lavender from seed is rewarding but requires patience and a bit of care. Mastering this skill will allow you to inexpensively grow all kinds of different lavenders that are not typically sold at your local garden centers. To improve germination, lavender seeds benefit from cold stratification so be sure to follow the tips below for best results.

Why Cold Stratify?

• Lavender seeds naturally germinate after a cold period, mimicking winter conditions. Stratifying the seeds increases their likelihood of sprouting.

How to Cold Stratify:

• Place your seeds in a resealable plastic bag with a small amount of moistened sand or peat moss. Alternatively, repurpose a small takeout container with a clear lid.
• Seal the bag or container and store it in the refrigerator for 3-4 weeks.
• Check periodically to ensure the medium stays moist but not soggy. If things seem too damp, you can leave the bag or container ‘cracked’ open or add some ‘breathing’ holes

Sowing Seeds:

• After stratification, plant the seeds in a seed-starting mix, but barely cover them. Lavender seeds require both heat and light to germinate so keep them in a warm, sunny location or under grow lights. Be patient—lavender seeds can take up to a month to germinate, though sometimes they show signs of sprouting around the 14 day mark. There may also be some variation between different cultivars.

Growing and Caring for Lavender

Once your lavender seedlings are established, or if you’re planting nursery-grown plants, follow these tips to keep your lavender thriving:

Choosing the Right Location:

• Lavender loves full sun. Choose a spot in your garden that receives at least 6-8 hours of sunlight daily.
• Well-drained soil is essential. If your soil is heavy or clay-like, consider amending it with sand or gravel, or planting in raised beds.

Planting Tips

• Space plants 12-18 inches apart to ensure good airflow and prevent fungal diseases.
• When planting, mix a handful of lime or crushed eggshells into the soil to mimic the alkaline conditions lavender prefers.

Watering

• Lavender is drought-tolerant once established, but young plants need regular watering until their roots develop.
• Avoid overwatering, which can easily lead to root rot.

Pruning

• Prune lavender annually in early spring or after its first bloom to maintain a compact shape and encourage vigorous growth.
• Removing spent flowers will encourage a second bloom later in the season.

Winter Care

• In colder climates, protect lavender with a layer of mulch or by covering plants with burlap to shield them from harsh winds and freezing temperatures. Also consider where you might have a slightly warmer microclimate on your property, such as against a south-facing wall or tucked in a corner against your house. Your plant will benefit from being placed in area where it is protected from harsh winds, has good drainage, and is able to absorb some radiant heat from a wall or some stones or brick.
• For gardeners in especially harsh winter climates, consider growing lavender in pots that can be brought indoors or even into an unheated greenhouse to overwinter. Place potted lavender in a sunny window, and water sparingly to keep the roots healthy without over-saturating the soil. Good drainage is just as important indoors as it is out in the garden. Alternatively, treat lavender as an annual and propagate new plants each year from seed or cuttings to ensure a fresh, vibrant display every summer.

Lavender’s Appeal Indoors and Out

Lavender’s benefits extend beyond the garden. Its fragrant dried blooms can be used in sachets to freshen up drawers, in lavender-infused oils, or as an ingredient in homemade soaps. In the kitchen, culinary varieties like ‘Munstead’ add a unique flavor to cookies and teas.

Whether you’re weaving it into wreaths, tucking it into bouquets, or simply letting it sway in the breeze, lavender connects your garden to the heart of French country living. Its timeless charm, practicality, and elegance make it an essential element of any French-inspired outdoor space.

Lavender is more than a plant; it’s an iconic cornerstone of the French country aesthetic. By selecting the right varieties and following these tips, you too can bring the beauty and fragrance of lavender into your own garden.