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Pollinate Happiness
Non-native ornamental

Lavender

Lavandula angustifolia

Lamiaceae (mint family)

Calming fragrance and soft purple spikes that bees work all day. Chosen for the sensory planter's sense of smell.

Bloom calendar

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Rows of purple lavender in bloom

Known for its calming scent and soft purple blooms, lavender engages the sense of smell with its relaxing aroma. It also attracts pollinators like bees and butterflies, adding gentle movement and sound to the garden.

Lavender is a Mediterranean plant, not a Long Island native, but it is non-invasive and a reliable nectar source for honey bees and bumble bees. In the sensory planter it earns its place with scent.

Quick facts

  • Mediterranean native; drought tolerant.
  • Needs excellent drainage to survive Long Island winters.

How to grow it

  • Full sun, gritty soil.
  • Prune lightly after bloom; never into old wood.
  • Avoid wet feet in winter.