Lavender comes from the Mediterranean region and came to Northern Europe via the Alps as early as the Middle Ages. The pretty pink or violet flowering, strongly fragrant plant quickly established itself here, so that it was preferred to be planted together with roses in monastery gardens - by the way, like other Mediterranean herbs, which include e.g. Sage, oregano and thyme are included, too. However, this combination is not an uncomplicated one.

Roses and lavender are a beautiful couple

Lavender is a classic rose companion

Lavender and roses have belonged together for centuries and there is a good reason for this: the intensively scented essential oils of the herb reliably keep aphids and other vermin away from the roses, which are otherwise too susceptible. In addition, the perpetual bloomer lavender ensures that a rose bed does not become too bare even at the end of the flowering period. Instead, the two flowering plants form a perfect blend and let the flower bed shine in terms of color. Lavender looks particularly beautiful in front of white or pink blooming roses.

Claims of roses and lavender do not go together

However, there is a not so small drop of bitterness in this combination, which looks so perfect on the outside, because lavender and roses have completely different requirements, especially when it comes to the soil. Although both plants like the sun and need a lot of light, in contrast to the nutrient-hungry roses, the Mediterranean lavender, which is used to poor soil, feels very comfortable in nutrient-poor, sandy and dry soil. So if you were to plant roses and lavender together without taking these specific preferences into account, the result would certainly not be as hoped for - quite the opposite, because lavender quickly withers in rose soil.

Planting lavender in a bed of roses - this is how it works

Fortunately, however, there are ways to harmoniously put the two plants, which seem so incompatible in their respective preferences, together in a bed. To do this, you should plant the cushion-forming lavender plants at the edge of the bed, while planting the roses at least 50 centimeters apart in the middle. While nutrient-rich rose soil, well supplied with compost, is spread in the middle of the bed, lean the bed edge for the lavender with plenty of sand.

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In addition, the bed should be designed in such a way that the excess moisture does not run from the roses - which after all need a lot of water - to the lavender, which in turn loves drought. The soil should therefore be well drained and the bed should not slope towards the edge.

Category:

Vegetable garden