Lavender is one of those plants I always recommend. It’s forgiving, smells amazing, and honestly, it just makes your yard feel more peaceful.
You don’t need a green thumb or a big backyard either. I’ve tried these lavender setups myself or helped friends pull them off, and they really do work.
So if you’re looking to bring charm and scent to your outdoor space, here are eight easy ideas to try.
1. Lavender Patio Planters
I started with patio planters when I didn’t have a garden bed. A few terracotta pots, some sunlight, and boom, lavender everywhere.
Mix up the types if you can. I use English lavender for that classic scent and French for its quirky look.
Keep your pots near the door or walkway. The smell hits you every time you step outside, and it’s such a nice little mood booster.
2. Raised Lavender Garden Beds
My soil gets muddy after rain, so I built a raised bed out of scrap wood, and lavender loved it.
I filled it with sandy soil, and the drainage fixed everything. No more root rot or sad plants.
It’s also easier on the knees. I can prune or water without bending too much, and I don’t step on anything by accident.
3. Lavender and Herb Spiral Garden
I helped a friend build this with leftover bricks, and it turned out surprisingly cute and useful.
Lavender went at the top for the best sun and drainage. Lower down, we added thyme and oregano.
The spiral design isn’t just pretty. It saves space and makes each plant happy with the spot it likes most.
4. Vertical Lavender Wall
When I lived in a smaller house, I used a wooden pallet and tiny pots to build a vertical herb wall with lavender.
I planted dwarf varieties like ‘Hidcote’, and they stayed tidy and neat, perfect for narrow spaces.
It’s super satisfying brushing past the blooms and getting that burst of fragrance right at face level.
5. Lavender Garden with Stone Pathway
A gravel path with lavender on each side feels like something out of a magazine, but I promise it’s doable.
I laid down stone, spaced out the plants, and they did the rest. No fancy tools needed.
Now when I walk through, especially after rain or during sunset, the scent is amazing. I never want to go back inside.
6. Mediterranean-Style Lavender Garden
I love how low-key this style is. Dry soil, gravel paths, maybe an olive tree or two, it’s calm and simple.
I used ‘Provence’ lavender in this setup since it handles heat well and looks clean and uniform.
It’s the kind of garden you can leave alone for weeks and it still looks great, just how I like it in the summer.
7. Lavender Border Around a Vegetable Garden
This was my favorite surprise idea. I lined my veggie patch with lavender and got fewer pests and more bees.
It also made the garden look more put-together, even though I was just winging it at the time.
Plus, brushing against the plants while picking tomatoes makes the whole thing smell like a dream.
8. Lavender and Rock Garden Combo
There was this tricky corner in my backyard, sloped, dry, just ugly. I threw in a few rocks and planted lavender.
Turns out, they’re perfect together. The rocks keep things neat, and the lavender fills in with soft color.
If you’ve got an awkward spot like that, don’t overthink it. Just give it some sun and let lavender take over.
9. Lavender in Hanging Baskets
I never thought lavender could grow in hanging baskets, but a neighbor showed me how. It actually works if you use compact varieties.
I used a coconut liner with lightweight potting mix and added a bit of sand. Drainage is key.
They hang by my porch now. Every breeze sends the scent right through the house. It’s a small detail that feels surprisingly fancy.
10. Lavender Hedge Along a Fence
I once helped my aunt plant a short lavender hedge along her wire fence, and it totally transformed that boring side yard.
We spaced the plants a foot apart and trimmed them just enough to keep them bushy.
It gave the space a soft border without making it feel closed off. Plus, the bees were obsessed with it in the best way.
11. Lavender in Window Boxes
This was a fun experiment. I planted lavender in window boxes outside my kitchen window, and wow, what a difference.
Every time I open the window, I get a hit of that lovely scent. It’s become my favorite spot to sip coffee.
I paired it with trailing rosemary and a touch of thyme for extra interest and just a little bit of flavor.
12. Lavender Circle Garden
I saw this in a magazine and recreated it in my front yard. A round patch of lavender with a birdbath in the center, simple, but so pretty.
I planted in a circle and kept it neat with small edging stones. Nothing too perfect, just enough to define it.
It draws birds, butterflies, and compliments. It’s like having a living centerpiece.
13. Lavender Around Mailbox
This one happened by accident. I had leftover lavender starters and stuck them around the base of my mailbox. Turns out, it was the perfect spot.
They get full sun and no one accidentally mows over them. They actually soften that whole curbside view.
Now even my mail carrier comments on how nice it smells there.
14. Lavender in Old Wine Barrels
I picked up a couple of old wine barrels from a local yard sale and decided to turn them into lavender planters.
I drilled a few holes at the bottom and filled them with gravel and sandy soil. Worked like a charm.
The barrels add that rustic charm, and the lavender adds calm. I keep one by the shed and one near the back door.
15. Lavender with Edible Flower Beds
I love growing edible flowers, and lavender fits in beautifully. I mixed it with calendula, nasturtiums, and chives.
It’s cheerful and colorful, and it smells amazing too. Plus, I actually use some of the petals in teas and baking.
The trick is spacing, give lavender room so it doesn’t crowd out the smaller flowers.
16. Lavender with Decorative Grasses
One year, I planted lavender between clumps of blue fescue and fountain grass, and it was the coolest texture combo.
The grasses swayed in the wind while the lavender stayed upright and bloomed like crazy.
It gave my yard a soft, wild look without being messy. Bonus, very little upkeep once it was established.
Conclusion
You don’t need a huge yard or years of experience to grow lavender. I’ve tried all these setups over time, in different homes, and they’ve never let me down. Just give your plants sun, space to breathe, and soil that drains well.
Once they settle in, they pretty much take care of themselves. And that’s my kind of gardening, less watering, more sitting back and enjoying that beautiful, calming scent.