Flowers that look like lavender are quite a lot, but don’t get it wrong; they have their differences. Maybe the leaves’ shape, the flowers’ smell, the growing conditions, or any other aspect sets them apart, but they all have one major thing in common: their cunning similarity to the lavender plant.
Despite their differences, these flowers know how to display their beauty vibrantly and attract pollinators that are great for the ecosystem, making your garden a truly green paradise. Choose any of these plants instead of lavender, or grow them together for that outstanding show of foliage and flowers.
Best Flowers That Look Like Lavender
1. Russian Sage (Perovskia Atriplicifolia)
Russian sage is the closest match to lavender among all the other plants. It is not a true sage as it does not belong to the salvia genus and does not come from Russia. It was named after a Russian Governor — Perovskia, by a Russian botanist.
This plant is native to Afghanistan and commonly found in Iran, Tibet, and Pakistan.
– Description
Perovskia atriplicifolia has silver-grey foliage, white stems and long spikes featuring small mauve flowers. It does not tolerate the winter but dies down after the first frost to spring up again. It grows to about five feet tall and three feet wide.
– Similarities
Russian sage, just like English lavender, is a clump-forming perennial that has foliage of the same color and features. It has highly aromatic leaves that repel insects like whiteflies, aphids, and cabbage worms. It can replace lavender plants in the garden, as a border plant, or in a flower bed.
This plant has similar uses to Lavandula Angustifolia in the household. The perennial flowers can be used when fresh to garnish salads and desserts or dried in potpourri. The leaves are not eaten but can repel insects like ants, fleas, and ticks.
– Growing Conditions
You can start Russian sage from cuttings or divisions in the spring. These hardy, beautiful plants grow in USDA hardiness zones 5 through 10. It thrives under full sun and rich composted soils that drain well. When grown in the shade, it will become long and leggy.
Water them often when young until they get established and then cut off the constant supply. It is drought tolerant once established and also tolerates salts, making it ideal for the coastal region. Cut back the old stems in spring to allow the new growth to thrive. Prune the plant in summer to promote more upright growth.
2. Morning Glory (Ipomoea Sagittata)
Morning glory flowering vine is native to Mexico and Central America. A vine grows by clinging to other plants or structures for support. It grows fast, reaching about 12 feet or more.
This plant is named so because the flower buds tend to twirl up lightly and unfold when the sun hits them in the morning.
– Description
Ipomoea sagittata is a flowering vine that gardeners love to grow. This fast-growing vine is in the same botanical family as sweet potatoes, although they don’t produce edible tubers. It has green foliage and produces brightly colored purple trumpet-shaped flowers with a slight fragrance attractive to butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds. These flowers appear from mid-summer through fall.
– Similarities
Morning glory does not have much similarity to lavender except that it has the same flower color as lavender. The morning glory flowers are colored lavender or purple, just like the French lavender.
– Growing Conditions
You can start this plant from seeds at least a month before the last spring frost. It is fond of sandy, moist soils and does well in the coastal regions too, earning its name saltmarsh morning glory. Some gardeners find it too aggressive to grow as it self-seeds if left alone. However, you can pull unwanted seedlings to control their spread.
This native Morning glory is fond of sandy, moist soils. It thrives in the coastal regions of the Southeastern United States, earning its common name of Saltmarsh morning glory.
Morning glory is toxic to people and pets and, therefore, not edible. Plant it away from kids and pets to avoid contact or ingestion.
3. Mealycup Sage (Salvia Farinacea)
The mealy cup is native to the prairies, plains, woodland edges, and meadows of Mexico and Texas. It is commonly known as mealy sage or blue sage. This plant is one belonging to the mint family and is a short-lived herbaceous perennial.
– Description
Salvia farinacea comes from the powdery dust covering the cup-shaped flowers. It has lance-shaped leaves and spikes of colorful lobed flowers. The leaves of this sage are not thick or fuzzy like other sage varieties. Instead, these are shiny, elongated, and slightly serrated featuring a hint of silver or gray color on the lower side.
– Similarities
Mealy cup sage resembles the Portuguese lavender flowers with its rich violet-blue flower spikes. The flower arrangement on the compact multi-branched variety also creates the same feel.
– Growing Requirements
Mealycup sage is best planted in spring and will grow to the flowering stage in four months. This plant is a perennial that lasts about five years before it dies and needs to be re-planted. In areas where it does not survive the winter, it grows annually.
It thrives in USDA hardiness zones 7 through 10. Provide it with moist, well-draining soils for robust growth, and it will grow to a mature size of four feet tall and wide.
4. Catmint (Nepeta Cataria)
Catmint is one herbaceous perennial that grows in the same conditions as lavender. It is native to Europe, Africa, and Asia, with over 250 species. This plant is an aromatic herb that is popular for its beautiful blooms and the effect it has on cats.
Nepeta Cataria has sturdy stems with gray-green heart-shaped leaves and lavender-colored flower spikes.
– Similarities
Catmint is similar to lavender in its growth habit and mauve flowers. Just like Lavandula stoechas, the flower of catmint is edible. They are used to make tea and have a calming effect, coupled with a slightly minty taste and a sweet fragrance. They are also used to enhance sauces and soups.
– Growing Conditions
This plant does well in USDA zones 4 through 8. Grow it in a sunny location, planting in the spring or fall for the best results. Plant them at least 12 inches apart to avoid overcrowding. Use plenty of organic matter to enrich the soil before planting and water the plants well, especially when newly planted, but reduce them after they are established.
– Care and Maintenance
If you realize you crowded them too much, thin them out to leave enough space for growth and nutrient absorption. Prune the plant’s faded blooms to encourage more flowering during the hot summer season. Cut the foliage back in fall, awaiting new growth in the spring.
5. Purple Salvias (Salvia)
Purple salvias are native to the Mediterranean and are used in many culinary and medicinal uses. It belongs to the Lamiaceae family, the largest genus of plants with nearly 1,000 species. Lavender and purple salvia plants have a lot in common.
– Description
Salvia has grey foliage and blue-ish purple flowers that are compact. The flowers appear in summer, ready for the bright hot season. The flowers are two-flipped, unlike the lavenders, which are tubular.
– Similarities
Like Spanish lavender, salvias are herbaceous perennials belonging to the mint family. They are both used in many medicinal and culinary uses. They have aromatic foliage and bloom in the colors purple and blue.
– Growing Conditions
It is best to grow this plant under full sun and well-draining soil. Add organic material like compost to enrich the soil. Water them regularly when young, but once they are established, they are drought and heat tolerant.
Feed them regularly, and deadheading will enhance their look. At the end of the season, prune back any woody stems. Divide it during the spring every few years before the new growth begins.
6. Butterfly bush (Buddleia Davidii)
The butterfly bush is a deciduous shrub that is native to Asia. It has an arching habit with impressive flowers that look similar to lavender. This plant attracts many butterflies, thus its name providing essential food to birds and other wildlife. There are plenty of butterfly bush varieties to choose from!
– Description
The butterfly bush, also called summer lilac, is a shrub that bears wands of pink, purple or white flowers with yellow to orange centers at the branch tips starting from summer to fall. The leaves are opposite pale-gray and have wavy or toothed margins. The flowers are grouped in clusters, attracting a wide range of pollinators.
– Similarities
Butterfly bush is similar to lavender in its flower formation that is featured at the tips of the stems. It also grows in the same growing conditions.
– Growing Requirements
Butterfly bushes can grow up to 12 feet tall, while other varieties can remain small. You can start it from potted nursery starts or plant it from seeds. It is fast-growing and will reach mature size within a single growing season. Provide rich, well-drained soils under full sun and partial shade for maximum growth. If left alone, it can become invasive, overtaking other plants growing nearby.
7. Meadow Sage (Salvia Nemerosa)
Meadow sage is a distinct member of the Lamiaceae mint family. It has over 750 species of flowering plants. It is native to Europe but has become naturalized in North America. This plant is popular for being very easy to care for and for being unpalatable to deer.
– Description
Salvia Nemerosa is a perennial herb that can grow up to two feet tall. It has oblong leaves about two inches long. The flowers are pink, white, or purple growing in spikes. This is an evergreen plant that keeps its leaves all year round, and during the winter, the leaves turn brown or bronze and turn back to green in the spring.
– Similarities
Meadow sage is a versatile plant that can be used fresh or dried, just like lavender. You can use it in cooking, cosmetics, or medicine. Like Lavandula dentata, sage has a long history of use in magic and spiritual practices. These two plants are commonly grown in the same type of landscaping or as ornamental plants.
– Growing Conditions
This plant prefers full sunlight and well-drained soil. Ensure this plant gets at least six hours of sunlight daily for better flowering. They can reach up to two feet tall and three feet wide. The soil should be rich or clay soils, but make sure there is average drainage to keep the plant thriving.
8. Holy Basil (Ocimum Sanctum)
Holy basil is most similar to lavender. It is also known as perennial basil and is an important herb in Indian culture. It is commonly used in religious ceremonies. This plant repels pests like aphids, flies, and mites while improving the flavor of the vegetables and fruits planted next. Also, try these plants as well if you have issues with aphids and other pests.
– Description
Holy basil has green or purple leaves, depending on the variety. These tubulars have green or purple sepals and grow on terminal spikes. It is a short perennial plant that grows to a mature height of three feet. The stems are quite hairy and bear simple toothed leaves.
– Similarities
Like lavender, this plant is aromatic and attracts many pollinators to the mauve flowers. When mixed with other herbs, the leaves are also used in pestos and sauces.
– Growing Requirements
Holy basil prefers a sunny position and partial shade. Plant it in well-composted soil that has good drainage and water it regularly. Add fertilizer at least once a month to enable your plant to grow healthy leaves and flowers.
Prune off dead flowers to encourage new flowers and pinch them out to stimulate bushier growth. Holy basil is not cold-hardy and does best in subtropical and tropical climates. Those in cold regions can grow it as an indoor plant.
9. Hyssop (Hyssop Offinalis)
Hyssop is a perennial belonging to the mint and sage family. It has many similarities to lavender. This plant is popular for being widely used in medicinal purposes. Although there is no solid scientific basis for its benefits, a lot of people swear by its many health contributions.
– Description
Hyssop is a compact plant that thrives in garden beds. It produces whorls of small flowers in pink, violet, blue, and sometimes white forms at the end of the stem. These flowers attract many pollinators, enhancing the ecosystem.
– Similarities
Hyssop carries many similarities with lavender. The leaf shape is quite similar, but the leaf color is different – a little greener than lavenders. They have similar flowers type but not color. They are both medicinal plants used to treat different conditions. You can also use the leaves of this plant in salads and soups for both plants.
– Growing Conditions
Hyssop does well in USDA hardiness zones 3 to 11. It tolerates colder conditions and does not require winter protection. It grows to about 25 inches tall and 12 inches wide.
Conclusion
These are just some flowers that look like lavender but are not the same, so how about using flowers that look like lavender to create a beautiful outdoor environment around your home? Before you add them to your garden for mixed blooms, here are a few points to remember:
- Any of these plants is a great choice whether you are looking for an alternative to lavender or want to add some variety to your garden.
- Our favorite four plants to add to your garden are Russian sage, meadow sage, catmint, and butterfly bush.
- These lovely flowers add color and different textures to your garden or yard, making it vibrant in a natural way.
- Most of these plants attract butterflies, bees, and birds, making your garden a complete ecosystem with a positive environmental impact.
If you are not interested in growing the real lavender plant but love its flowers and foliage, you can go for the other similar plants. These plants will give wonderful blooms and fill your garden with different textures that you will enjoy, so why not give them a try today?
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