Have you ever come across a plant that looks spookily similar to lavender , but just does n’t fit the profile ?
Maybe the leaves are an odd anatomy , or the humiliated blossom do n’t have that quintessential appeasement scent .
Or perhaps it ’s not suited to farm lavender in your localisation or picky planting spot , but you want to uprise something that gives the same impact .
As it ferment out , there are several lavender lookalikes out there – and some that even have the same culinary and medicative uses .
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These six plants are tough , hardy and pretty plants that merit a billet in any garden . industrial plant rather of lavender , or plant a few with lavender , for a spectacular show of foliage and peak that are also great pollinator attracter .
1. Russian Sage
Out of all the plant on this list that look standardised to lilac-colored , Russian sage ( Perovskia atriplicifolia ) is by far the faithful match .
Like lavender , it ’s a clump - forming perennial with silverish - Charles Grey foliage , livid stems and longsighted spikes that feature small mauve flowers . It dies down in winter ( to avoid any rime ) and grow out in leaping to make a height of four to five feet .
Russian Sage can be used as a replenishment for lavender in the garden lined along a footpath or in a blossom bottom along the borderline . Also , like lavender , it has highly aromatic leaves that are utilitarian in repel insects like aphid , whitefly and cabbage insect when grown in a vegetable garden .
Russian salvia is useful as a pollinator and its tolerance of salt makes it hone for coastal gardens . It is hardy in USDA Zones 5 - 10 and isparticularly drouth tolerantonce prove .
Do n’t be fool by this plant ’s common name . Russian sage is not considered a true sage as it does not belong to to the genusSalvia . It also does not fare from Russia but is native to Afghanistan , and is also found in Iran , Pakistan and Tibet . It was call by a Russian botanist after a Russian regulator ( Perovskia ) .
Russian salvia has similar consumption in the home as lavender . The prime are dried and used in potpourri , and the fresh flower are used to garnish desserts and salad .
The leaves are not edible but can be used to repel insects , particularly around animals as they keep away ticks , flea and ants .
Growing tips
Russian salvia needs a sunny spot and well - compost dirt that drains well . Plants in too much wraith will get long-legged . Water on a regular basis when establishing novel plant but do n’t overwater afterward on .
In spring when the new leaves look , contract back the honest-to-god stems to the lowest circle of leaves . Keep the plants clean by pruning in summertime to keep their conformation and promote more upright development . This also advance new growth and more flowers .
They can be divided in fountain to get even more plants . Cuttings can also be carry in spring , dipped into root internal secretion , and planted until well - rooted .
2. Hyssop
Like lavender , Hyssop ( Hyssopus officinalis ) is a perennial that belongs to the muckle and sage family ( Lamiaceae ) – mostly aromatic repeated herb .
Hyssop has many similarities to lavender . The leafage form , in particular , is quite like but the folio colour is greener than lavenders ’ . In summertime , whorls of little bloom in violet - downcast , pinkish and sometimes white form at the end of long woody stems .
Although they have similar blossom and turn pattern , Hyssopus officinalis from the genusHyssopusshould not be confused with Anise hyssop – botanicallyAgastache foeniculum . dead on target hyssop has medicinal benefits that Anise Hyssopus officinalis does not . The biggest divergence is in the leafage shape , with dependable hyssop have more lavender - like leaf .
Hyssop is used to assist respiratory problems and enteral and liver condition . immature fresh leaves can also be used in salads , soup and stews . Plus , it is suppose to cut back the richness of fatty foods and aid digestion .
The plant is a compact plant and does well in garden beds . It is a good pollinator plant and grows well in containers if you choose a pot large enough to reconcile its big root organization .
While lavender will spring up best in USDA zones 5 - 8 , hyssop can tolerate cold circumstance and does not require winter aegis , growing in USDA zones 3 - 11 . It grow to around 25 inches tall and one-half as wide of the mark .
Hyssop will grow in full sun or fond shade and demand well - draining soil enrich with constitutional matter . Like lavender , they favour drier conditions and require minimum water once give .
Divide these plants in the fall . Seeds can also be accumulate and hive away when the seeded player capsules are completely teetotal , for use the following season .
Prune institute heavily in spring and again after blossom to keep their bushy shape . give with an constitutive fertilizer once or twice during the growing season for the best lavender - comparable heyday .
3. Catmint
Catmint is a herbaceous perennial that grows in similar consideration to lavender . It is also drought tolerant . This plant has stalwart stems with grayish - green heart - shaped leave and flower spikes of lavender - colored efflorescence .
The genus nameNepetais in denotation to the settlement of Nepi , north of Rome in Italy . There are around 250 species in the genus native to Europe , Asia and Africa . They grow well in well - run out grime in layer or pot ( USDA geographical zone 4 – 8) .
Catmint and Catnip are often confused . Although they belong to the same mint familyNepeta , they are not the same plant life . Catmint ( Nepeta mussinii)is alike in growth habit to lavender with mauve bloom while Nepeta cataria ( Nepeta cataria ) is not as neat and commonly has white flowers . Many cats enjoy pick on catmint , but do n’t jazz it as much as catnip .
The flowers and leaves of Catmint can be used to make tea . It has a calming gist with a slightly minty taste and mellisonant fragrance that heighten soups and sauce .
Grow in a gay place and works in spring or fall for the best result . Plant at least 12 inch aside to avoid overcrowding . Enrich the soil with plenty of organic matter before planting and water well while establishing the plants .
As they produce , they become super drouth and heat liberal and will not want much water or fertiliser .
Prune faded blooms to boost more flowering during summertime . Cut back to a great extent in fall when the plant life die back to ready the plant up for a effective fountain time of year . Thin out if they become too crowded or , like other mints , become too vigorous and potentially invasive .
4. Rosemary
Another tough herb with miscellany looking like to lavender is rosemary ( Rosmarinus officinalis ) .
The folio are sparse and needle - like on grey stems . In winter and spring , pallid purple - blue flowers come along in clusters on tall stems . Like lavender , rosemary has its root in the Mediterranean where its Latin nameRosmarinusis translated to Dew of the Sea in English .
Once established in the garden , it does n’t need much water , does n’t bear in mind heat or cold , and does n’t produce too smartly . Essentially , it ’s one of the most harum-scarum flora you’re able to find .
Rosemary is a popular herbaceous plant in the kitchen . It make uncompromising herbal skewers for meat and vegetables , goes well with chicken and lamb , and adds flavor to roasting vegetables . It also has several medicinal uses , label a tonic herb good for meliorate concentration , memory and tenseness levels .
If you sweep past it in the garden , rosemary releases an aromatic fragrance , as does lavender . For this reason , it is often planted along pathways .
As they have the same growing necessity , it will also grow well alongside lavender .
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Rosemary does well in container and can be grown in USDA zone 8 - 11 . It does n’t treasure the common cold and needs to be protect in winter . or else , seem for a variety that is stale - large-minded .
plant life rosemary in full Lord’s Day and well - draining for the estimable result . They like poor calibre soil , but will generally grow well in any type of grunge . As its name ‘ dew of the ocean ’ suggests , it develop well along the slide , not mind piquant air .
Unless trim regularly as a hedge , rosemary will need a estimable prune after blossom in fountain or to keep it not bad . It can grow up to six feet tall and almost as all-inclusive , needing place to grow . It attracts pollinators and is virtually disease - free . The redolent leaves also repel insects which make it a full companion plant , particularly for carrots .
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5. Purple Salvias
Within the familyLamiaceae , the tumid genus of plants at nearly 1000 species isSalvia . Like lavender , some salvias are herbaceous perennials that belong to the mint tribe .
One lavender tone - likewise isSalvia officinalis , sage or common sage , with grayish leaf and grim - ish purple flowers .
Like lavender , this salvia is native to the Mediterranean and has a long lean of culinary and medicinal uses . ‘ Officinalis ’ even refers to a industrial plant with a long - make archive of medicinal value .
Perhaps the most like to lavender isSalvia lavandulifolia , named for exactly that reason . This salvia is compact with narrow-minded greyish leaf and blue efflorescence in summer .
Different cultivars variegate in size , have unlike colored and shaped leaves , with flowers from lavender or pinkish , to livid and deep purple . Some are cold and frost hardy and others prefer the heat of a more tropical clime .
Choose a cheery post in well - draining soil enhanced with organic material like compost . Once established , they are drouth and heat tolerant . even feeding and deadheading will enhance their look .
At the remainder of the time of year , allow them to countersink seed and prune back any woody stems . Divide in bounce every few years before the new growth begins . Apply a duncical level of compost too to coif them off for the spring season .
6. Basil
The Basil of Caesarea with the most like feel to lavender is Holy basil ( Ocimum tenuiflorum or Ocimum sanctum ) , also known as perennial basil or Tulsi most Amerind languages . As its name suggest , it is an significant herb in Amerind culture and is used in religious ceremonies .
Like lavender , Holy basil is an aromatic plant that attracts many bees to its spikes of mauve flowers . The leaves are either green or purple . Although not as ordinarily used as sweet basil is in cooking , the leaves can be chopped up and used in sauce and pestos with other herb .
Holy Basil of Caesarea is a good garden works that repels plague like aphids , fly and mites while better the flavor of the fruit and veggie engraft next to it .
Unlike other plants on this lean , Holy basil is not moth-eaten - hardy and does best in tropical and subtropical clime . Those international tropical realm can also farm it indoors as a houseplant .
Although holy basil prefer a sunny position in the garden , it can take a bit of dappled shade , and should be shelter from the wind instrument . Plant in well - compost soil that has excellent drainage and urine regularly .
Unlike lavender , repeated Basil of Caesarea need plenty of weewee . They also need potassium - fertile fertiliser at least once a month to assure level-headed leaves and flower . Cut off deadened flowers to further new flowers and pinch out grow crest to stimulate bushier growth .
To keep them compendious and great , prune just before outflow and in mid - summertime . Only dress back to the semi - hardwood – not the hardwood . Take thinning at any clock time and localize them in a field glass of water until root for more plant .
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