Name: The Plant Company
Address: 284 Meeanee Road, Meeanee, Napier, 4112, New Zealand
Telephone: 0800 843 752
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best lavender

Searching for the best lavender for your New Zealand garden? With their iconic fragrance, silvery-green foliage, and clouds of purple blooms, lavenders remain a top choice for gardeners who want beauty, resilience, and ease of care. Whether you’re designing a cottage border, seeking pollinator-friendly plants, or dreaming of Mediterranean accents, choosing the right variety can make all the difference. Discover what makes lavender so loved, how to select the best options, and which types might be the perfect fit for you.

Lavender 'Major'

Lavender 'Major' is an impressive lavender variety known for its tall flower spikes and rich purple blooms held above aromatic grey green foliage. Flowering from spring into summer, it brings colour, fragrance, and structure to New Zealand gardens. Its upright habit makes it ideal for borders, pathways, feature planting, and cottage style designs.

Buy Lavender 'Major'

From $24.15

Suited to regions: Subtropical, Temperate

Plant type: Shrubs

Height: 60 cm

Spread: 60 cm

Flowering time: Spring, Summer

Tolerances: Hardy

Garden uses: Borders, Containers, Living areas, Paths & Steps, Pool areas

Garden styles: Backyard, City & Courtyard, Frontyard, Japanese, Mediterranean, Modern, Rock

Lavender 'Fairy Wings Whimsical'

Lavender 'Whimsical Fairy Wings' is a captivating lavender variety admired for its soft pink purple blooms topped with delicate wing-like bracts. Flowering from early spring into summer, it brings fragrance, colour, and gentle charm to New Zealand gardens.

Buy Lavender 'Fairy Wings Whimsical'

From $24.15

Suited to regions: Subtropical, Temperate

Plant type: Shrubs

Height: 70 cm

Spread: 70 cm

Flowering time: Spring, Summer, Autumn

Garden uses: Borders, Containers, Hedging, Living areas, Paths & Steps, Pool areas

Garden styles: Architectural, Backyard, City & Courtyard, Formal, Frontyard, Japanese, Modern, Rock

What Makes the Best Lavender?

The best lavender varieties thrive in New Zealand’s climate, producing generous blooms, aromatic foliage, and reliable growth. Ideal lavenders are hardy, drought-tolerant once established, and require little maintenance beyond a yearly trim. Most importantly, they suit your specific garden needs—whether you want compact options for pots, statement shrubs, or floriferous hedging.

Top Lavender Varieties for New Zealand Gardens

Not all lavenders are created equal. Here are some of the best lavender varieties for Kiwi gardeners:

Lavandula Ghostly Princess

If you’re searching for a lavender with silvery foliage and exceptionally soft tones, Lavandula Ghostly Princess stands out. This unique variety boasts pale pink flower heads atop velvety leaves, perfect for borders or containers where a touch of elegance is desired.

Lavandula Lavance Purple

A favourite for vibrant colour, Lavandula Lavance Purple flourishes with deep violet spikes. Compact and reliable, this English lavender shines in sunny spots and grows well both in garden beds and pots. Its fragrant flowers attract bees and butterflies, making it a superb pick for wildlife-friendly planting.

Lavender dentata (French Lavender)

For those looking to enjoy long-lasting blooms, Lavender dentata (French Lavender) offers fine-toothed foliage and continuous flowering from spring to autumn. Its scented blooms and distinctive shape make it ideal for informal hedges or aromatic pathways.

Lavender 'Lavance Blue'

Seeking a true-blue lavender? Lavender 'Lavance Blue' is prized for its intense blue-purple flowers and compact habit, perfect for mass planting or small spaces. It’s easy to grow and highly scented, fitting for cut flower arrangements and sachets.

Tips for Choosing the Best Lavender

When selecting the best lavender, consider these key factors: - Sunlight: All lavenders need at least six hours of sun daily. - Soil: Free-draining soil is a must—avoid heavy clay or waterlogged sites. - Space: Check mature plant size before planting, especially for hedges or pots. - Purpose: Some lavenders excel at cut flowers, others are better for hedging or attracting bees.

Complementary Plants for a Lavender Garden

Lavender pairs beautifully with other stylish garden plants. A lovely companion for your lavender border could be the stunning Dahlia Lavender Perfection, which echoes lavender’s hues with large, showy blooms.

Plant the Best Lavender for Lasting Beauty

Choosing the best lavender means considering both beauty and performance in the garden. By selecting robust varieties such as Lavandula Ghostly Princess, Lavandula Lavance Purple, Lavender dentata (French Lavender), or Lavender 'Lavance Blue', you’ll enjoy an aromatic, low-maintenance display year after year. Happy gardening!

Contact us

Whether you need assistance finding the plant you’re looking for or you simply want to know more about who we are and what we do, we invite you to get in touch with us today. A member of The Plant Company team will get back in touch as soon as possible.

best lavender

Lavender 'Major'

Lavender 'Fairy Wings Whimsical'

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What Makes the Best Lavender?