3 Plant Alternatives to Lavender

Originally, when I created my garden in Bend, Oregon, I envisioned creating a sea of lavender in one, long row visible from my kitchen & dining room.  And I did plant lavender ~ but the problem was, it never really took off in my Zone 6 garden: it just didn’t flourish.  And even though lavender is a perennial, mine didn’t come back the second year.  So, I had to plant something else….& I ended up discovering very similar-looking plants that perform MUCH better & are far easier to care for than lavender.  Here, we’ll take a look at “3 Plant Alternatives to Lavender,” two of which are drought-tolerant & ideal for low-water landscapes!

There are few things dreamier in a landscape than a sea of lavender…but it can be challenging to grow.

If you’re looking for lavender-landscape inspiration: check out this article on the stunning lavender fields in the South of France….

3 Great Plant Alternatives to Lavender

1. Catmint

Catmint is also called Walker’s Low, & this plant has absolutely THRIVED in my Zone 6 garden.  I never fertilize them; I never give them extra water (some of my catmint are in sprinkler sections, others on drip lines), & nonetheless: they THRIVE.  Once established, they require very little water, & can grow 2-3 feet tall & wide.  Catmint are perfect for drought-tolerant gardens, & are hearty in Zones 4-8. 

For a deeper dive into catmints & how to care for, read this article.

These two catmint in my front yard absolutely LOVE being in full, morning sun (about 8+ hours in the summer). Catmint is especially great because it chokes out & hides weeds almost completely!

Purple catmint behind white salvia makes for a stunning combination…

2. Purple Salvia

Salvia is one of the most-used, prolific plants in existence: my mom successfully grows it in her scorching hot Palm Springs garden ~ while many varieties also thrive in my cooler, Zone 6 garden.  I’ve planted “May Night,” “Mystic Spires,” “Wood Sage,” & “Violet Profusion,” & so far: they’ve all come back in the second year, heartier than the first.  Purple salvia is typically a deeper shade of purple than the softer hues of lavender, but its upright form is SO similar ~ few people will be able to tell the difference. 

Salvias are hardy in garden zones 4-10, but check your specific variety for hardiness in your zone.

Purple salvia is a deeper shade of purple than soft lavender, but its upright look is very similar.

Here, we see purple salvia mixed with catmint peeking thru ethereal ornamental grasses…

3 Great Plant Alternatives to Lavender

3. Russian Sage

I’ve saved the best for last: Russian sage is my personal favorite lavender alternative.  It has a near-identical, light-purple color, & in the right, warm conditions, it can grow up to 3 feet tall, making a stunning backdrop for roses, foxgloves, salvias, or lower annuals.  Similar to catmint, once a Russian sage is established, it needs VERY little water.  This is a great choice for drought-tolerant or xeriscape gardens. 

Hardy in zones 4-9, Russian sage works in all but the coldest of climates, & really hits its stride from July all the way through the first frost in fall ~ giving it a much longer growing season than lavender, which typically blooms in July & August only.

Russian sage is my favorite lavender alternative: & it LOVES the heat of summer. This is a great choice for full-sun, warm gardens ~ Russian sage will thrive there.

3 Plant Alternatives to Lavender

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