Perennial shrub / herb
Lavender
Lavandula angustifolia
Fails far more often from overwatering and poor drainage than from cold — the classic Mediterranean plant that wants to be neglected.
| Light | Full sun |
|---|---|
| Water | Low once established; drought-tolerant |
| Spacing | 45-90 cm depending on variety |
| Zones | Zones 5-9 (English lavender) |
| Harvest | Cut flower spikes as they open for the strongest scent |
| Difficulty | Easy |
Drainage is everything
Lavender rots in heavy, wet soil. Plant on a slight mound, in gritty or sandy soil, and resist the urge to water once established — a mature plant needs supplemental water only in prolonged drought.
Prune every year
Trim back by about a third after flowering, never cutting into old bare wood. Unpruned lavender becomes woody and sparse within a few years.