Ornamental grasses and lavender: the perfect pairing

Why grasses and lavender work so well together

Some plant combinations need explaining, and some you feel instantly. Grasses and lavender fall squarely in the second category. The soft, swaying plumes of ornamental grasses beside the neat, purple spikes of lavender — they look as though they were made for each other.

The reason is simple: contrast. Grasses are airy, transparent and always moving. Lavender is compact, silver-green and solid. Together they create tension without conflict. And as a bonus: both love sun, dry soil and minimal feeding. Less work, more beauty.

The best grass species for lavender

Not every ornamental grass fits equally well. Here are the winners:

Stipa tenuissima (Mexican feather grass, 40 cm) — The ultimate partner. Light, hair-thin plumes that move in the slightest breeze. Plant in irregular groups between lavender blocks. It self-seeds, creating a delightfully natural effect after two years.

Nassella tenuissima (50 cm) — Almost identical to Stipa but slightly fuller. Perfect for those wanting more volume.

Pennisetum alopecuroides 'Hameln' (fountain grass, 60 cm) — Thicker, fluffy plumes that turn golden brown in autumn. Adds body to the border when the lavender has been cut back.

Festuca glauca 'Elijah Blue' (blue fescue, 25 cm) — Compact blue-grey tussock whose colour matches lavender foliage perfectly. Ideal for the front of the border.

Three proven combinations

Combo 1: Provençal dream

Plant alternating rows of Lavandula angustifolia 'Hidcote' (deep purple, 40 cm) and Stipa tenuissima. Keep 30 cm spacing. After two seasons the rows blend into each other — that is exactly the point. Add Santolina chamaecyparissus (cotton lavender, silver-grey) along the edge for extra texture.

Combo 2: Modern-sleek

Large blocks of Lavandula angustifolia 'Munstead' (light purple, 35 cm) with islands of Pennisetum alopecuroides 'Hameln' in between. Edged with corten steel or a clean gravel path. Smart, elegant, minimal upkeep.

Combo 3: Prairie style

Lavandula x intermedia 'Grosso' (large, purple, 70 cm) mixed with Stipa gigantea (giant feather grass, 200 cm) and Perovskia atriplicifolia (Russian sage, blue-lilac, 100 cm). This is the large-scale version — for spacious gardens where the wind plays freely. The Stipa gigantea creates golden screens at eye level.

Spacing and soil preparation

Lavender and grasses both detest wet feet. If your soil waterlogging in winter, work in drainage first or raise the border by 15-20 cm with extra gravel and topsoil. On clay, mix a generous amount of coarse sand into the top 30 cm.

Spacing: 30-40 cm for lavender, 25-35 cm for feather grass, 40-50 cm for fountain grass. Plant in triangular patterns — it looks far more natural than straight rows.

Seasonal maintenance

Spring (March): Cut lavender back to just above the old wood. Trim grasses to 10-15 cm above ground. This is essentially the only real maintenance moment of the year.

Summer: Enjoy. Optionally shorten spent lavender stems after the first flush for a second bloom in September.

Autumn and winter: Leave the grasses standing. Their plumes catch frost and morning dew — magical in winter light. Only cut back in March.

Start your grass and lavender border

Not sure how it would look in your garden? Upload a photo at gardenworld.app and find out. You will see instantly how grasses and lavender transform your border — without planting a thing.