Planting Heather and Lavender Together: A Beautiful and Fragrant Combination

January 22, 2025 by Simply Bloom

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To do companion planting right, make sure that all the plants in the area need the same amount of light, water, and soil. Heather companion plants should like the cool, moist conditions and acidic soils that these outstanding flowering evergreens prefer.

Another consideration for what to plant next to heather is formed. Heathers may be erect or prostrate, making them either excellent focal plants or groundcovers. Pick plants that grow well with heather based on their size and place them in the planting area so that they look good and each one gets enough air and light.

Heather and lavender are two classic garden plants that look beautiful planted together. With their attractive foliage and flowers in shades of purple pink, and white they complement each other perfectly. In this article, we’ll look at how to successfully plant heather and lavender together for a gorgeous and fragrant garden combination.

Heather refers to a group of low-growing, evergreen shrubs in the Erica genus. They are native to rocky acidic soils in Europe and thrive in cool, moist conditions. Heather features dainty foliage and bell-shaped blooms that appear from summer through fall. Popular species include winter heather spring heather, and Mediterranean heather.

Lavender is a fragrant perennial herb in the mint family. There are over 40 species, with English lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) being one of the most widely grown. Lavender has grey-green foliage and spikes of delicate purple flowers that bloom in mid to late summer. The flowers and leaves emit a fresh, clean scent when brushed against.

Why Grow Heather and Lavender Together?

While heather and lavender have some differences, combining them offers great advantages:

Complementary colors and textures – The fine textures and purple hues of heather and lavender beautifully complement each other.

Extended bloom period – Heather blooms in spring and fall while lavender blooms in summer, resulting in months of color.
Fragrance – The clean floral scents of both plants are intensified when grown together.
Attracts pollinators – Bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds are drawn to the nectar-rich blooms.

Low maintenance – Once established, both plants need little care.
Visual interest – The combination provides year-round interest with flowers, foliage and form.
Drought tolerance – Both plants are quite drought tolerant once established.

How to Grow Heather and Lavender Together

When grown together in ideal conditions, heather and lavender will thrive with minimal care. Here are some tips:

Light – Plant in full sun to light shade. At least 6 hours of direct sun is ideal.

Soil – Must be acidic, sandy, and fast-draining. Improve clay soils by mixing in compost.
Water – Water 1-2 times per week until established, then reduce frequency. Avoid wet feet.
Location – Choose an open spot with good air circulation to prevent fungal disease.

Fertilizer – Use an acidic fertilizer formulated for ericaceous plants in spring.
Planting – Space plants 12-18 inches apart in spring or fall. Plant high or mound soil to aid drainage.
Hardiness – Select heather and lavender cultivars suited to your planting zone.

Pruning – Prune lightly after flowering to remove spent blooms and shape plants.

Ideas for Planting Heather and Lavender

Here are some ideas to inspire your landscape design:

Formal garden – Plant in a geometric pattern edged with boxwood or stone.
Rock garden – Tuck among boulders and gravel for a natural look.
Border plantings – Use as an evergreen border along paths, fences or foundations.

Containers – Plant one or both in patio pots and urns.
Wildflower meadow – Allow to naturalize among grasses and wildflowers.
Fragrance garden – Include other scented herbs like rosemary and sage.

Pollinator garden – Attract bees, butterflies and hummingbirds.
Cottage garden – Combine with old-fashioned perennials and roses.

Best Companion Plants for Heather and Lavender

While lavender prefers neutral to alkaline soil, it can still thrive when planted near heather provided drainage is excellent. Here are some other plants that make good companions:

Catmint

Russian sage
Sedum
Coreopsis

Veronica
Salvia
Yarrow

Thrift
Oxeye daisy
Euphorbia

Avoid pairing heather and lavender with invasive plants like mint that could take over. Also avoid large trees and shrubs that will compete for sunlight and nutrients.

Problems and Solutions for Growing Heather and Lavender

Heather and lavender are relatively trouble-free but can encounter a few issues:

Root rot – Improve drainage and avoid overwatering.
Powdery mildew – Provide good air circulation and prune affected parts.

Aphids – Use insecticidal soap or neem oil treatment.
Voles – Use physical barriers to protect plant roots from voles.
Winter damage – Select cold-hardy cultivars and use winter mulch.

Nutrient deficiency – Fertilize occasionally with acidic plant food.

With proper siting and care, you can enjoy a thriving landscape filled with heather and lavender for years to come. The gorgeous colors, elegant textures, and lovely scents will enhance any garden.

Companion Planting with Heather

Heather is the overall term for either heathers or heaths. Both plants have similar growing needs and are evergreen with elegant, colorful blooms. Heathers and heaths make a swath of tones and leaves with easy appeal and graceful texture when planted in groups.

Adding some dimension to such plantings further enhances the garden area and increases interest year-round. There are a few common plants that grow well with heather because they like the same conditions. But there are also some surprises that will make the heather garden look completely different.

What to Plant Next to Heather

Classic companion planting with heather often includes rhododendrons and azaleas. These plants crave the same acidic soil and consistent moisture on which heathers thrive. You can even fertilize heathers and heath with the rhododendron foods on the market with excellent results.

Camellia, gardenia, and hibiscus are other flowering shrubs that combine well with heathers. Heathers have airy, delicate foliage that may develop rust, gold, or other tones as the season progresses. If you want a continuous foliage display, there are several other outstanding acid-loving plants from which to choose:

Food plants are fun to mix into the ornamental landscaping and provide garden grazing as you weed. Blueberries are classic, acid-loving plants that have the same moisture and lighting needs as heathers. Don’t forget to feed the birds! Mountain ash, holly, and serviceberry berries are like catnip for birds. They also give other animals a place to live and food. Smaller flowering plants also complement heather and bloom at different times, thereby extending the bloom show. Suggestions might include:

Cultivating heather

FAQ

Can I plant heather next to lavender?

Heather and friends Dwarf grasses work well, alongside the traditional rhododendrons, but lavender and pieris japonica blend beautifully. An all white winter garden with white heathers, camellia ‘Winter Snowman’ and white hellebores can be stunning.

What should not be planted next to lavender?

Avoid pairing lavender with types of plants that need shade, moisture, or rich, acidic soil. Shade-loving plants: Betz recommends avoiding placing shade-loving plants, like hosta, fern, astilbe, bleeding heart, and heuchera in the same spot as your lavender plants.

What flowers go well with heather?

Good companion plants for heaths and heathers include cranberry, dwarf conifers, lavender, thyme, red-hot pokers (Kniphofia), black mondo grass (Ophiopogon planiscapus ‘Nigrescens’), or even small daphnes such as Daphne ‘Kilmeston’ or ‘Lawrence Crocker’ to add fragrance to the bed.

Should you plant lavender with other plants?

It entails pairing plants together that will protect each other from pests and encourage healthy growth. There’s a bit of an art to companion planting, with many factors to consider. ‘To successfully grow lavender, you can pair it with plants that thrive in similar conditions: well-draining soil and full sun,’ says garden designer Laura Janney.

What should I plant next to Heather?

The key to good companion planting is to ensure that each plant in the area shares the same soil, lighting, and moisture needs. Heather companion plants should like the cool, moist conditions and acidic soils that these outstanding flowering evergreens prefer. Another consideration for what to plant next to heather is formed.

How do you grow lavender?

‘To successfully grow lavender, you can pair it with plants that thrive in similar conditions: well-draining soil and full sun,’ says garden designer Laura Janney. You will also want to take into account the plants that can keep pests away and even aesthetic factors, such as complementing colors.

Is lavender a good companion plant?

Lavender is a good companion plant due to its strong scent that keeps garden pests away. It, along with most of the companion plants below, also attracts pollinators to your garden. By combining both to attract pollinators and keep pests away, both plants can grow strong and healthy. The Best Lavender Companion Plants are listed below.

Can I plant lavender near my house?

There are also a few plants that shouldn’t be planted anywhere near lavender, but don’t worry – we’ll cover those too. Lavender is a hardy perennial that thrives in some of the worst conditions. Almost all lavender varieties grow best in USDA zones 5-9, flourishing in warm, dry conditions. Lavender loves full sun, fearing shade at all costs.

What is a common companion plant for a heather garden?

There are several common heather companion plants due to their preference for the same growing conditions but also some surprises that will give the heather garden a whole new appearance. Classic companion planting with heather often includes rhododendrons and azaleas.

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