Nine Flora Exhibiting Lavender-esque Blooms
Rosemary, Russian Sage, Mexican Bush Sage, Spanish Sage, and Hyssop are among the plants that resemble lavender and thrive in various conditions. These plants not only offer aesthetic similarities to lavender but also grow well in different garden environments.
Rosemary, with its darker green, piney leaves, can grow as tall as four to six feet. Its tiny, pale blue, pink, or white flowers grow in small clusters along the branches. Rosemary, like lavender, prefers full sun and excellent soil drainage.
Russian Sage, also known as Salvia yangii, is another lavender-like plant. It has finely dissected, silvery leaves and narrow spikes of tiny, tubular, purple flowers, growing up to four feet tall. Russian Sage prefers full sun and well-drained soil, and can tolerate drought.
Mexican Bush Sage (S. leucantha) has purple spikes with white blooms, growing about three feet tall. It tolerates some drought and partial shade, making it a versatile addition to any garden.
Spanish Sage (S. lavandulifolia) grows to just one and a half feet tall and wide, with narrow, gray-green foliage very closely resembling lavender. It is highly aromatic, smelling very much like rosemary.
Hyssop is a short-lived, semi-evergreen perennial that grows to a similar size as most lavenders with an upright habit. It produces spikes of purple to blue, fragrant flowers.
Other lavender-like plants include Anise Hyssop, which grows two to four feet tall and produces terminal spikes of small, purple flowers in mid- to late summer.
For those looking for a lavender-like tree, the Korean Lilac Tree (Syringa pubescens) and the Lavender Twist tree (Cecis canadensis ‘Covey’) are suitable options. The Korean Lilac Tree is cold-hardy and grows well in full sun with occasional water, while the Lavender Twist tree is suitable for smaller gardens and prefers full sun and regular watering.
Portuguese lavender (Lavandula latifolia) and French lavender (Lavandula dentata) are also worth considering. Portuguese lavender has broader leaves and attracts beneficial insects, thriving in dry, warm climates, while French lavender is better suited to warmer regions and container gardening.
Spanish lavender (Lavandula stoechas) tolerates heat and humidity and is drought-resistant.
Overall, these plants offer aesthetic and growing condition similarities to lavender, ranging from drought-tolerant salvias to hardy shrubs and flowering trees that can adapt to a variety of garden environments.
- The perennials, such as Rosemary, Russian Sage, Mexican Bush Sage, Spanish Sage, Hyssop, and Anise Hyssop, bear flowers that resemble lavender and thrive in diverse garden environments, including full sun and well-drained soil.
- Home decor benefit from the addition of these plants, especially Rosemary, Mexican Bush Sage, and Spanish Sage, which have aromatic leaves that fill the home with a fragrant scent.
- Gardeners seeking a lavender-like tree can opt for the Korean Lilac Tree or the Lavender Twist tree, both of which are suitable for different garden lifestyles, with the Korean Lilac Tree being cold-hardy and the Lavender Twist tree thriving in full sun and requiring regular watering.
- Portuguese lavender, with its broader leaves and ability to attract beneficial insects, is a great choice for those living in dry, warm climates, while French lavender is better suited for warmer regions and container gardening.
- Spanish lavender is a drought-resistant plant that tolerates heat and humidity, making it ideal for gardening in various conditions.
- Organic gardening practices can promote the growth of these lavender-like plants, ensuring healthier soil and a more sustainable lifestyle, all while adding beauty and fragrance to the garden with plants such as perennials, punctuated by decorative vegetables and flowers, transforming the home-and-garden into an inviting oasis.
