Lavender
Lavandula angustifolia
Lavender is a woody Mediterranean subshrub prized for fragrant foliage, summer bloom, and its ability to hold structure through hot dry weather.
Lavender earns its place by doing several jobs at once: it flowers for pollinators, perfumes the air and path edges, and keeps a tidy silvery framework even when the border is between bloom cycles.
It is happiest in full sun, lean soil, and conditions that dry between waterings. In richer or wetter ground it often grows faster but ages sooner, while in sharper drainage it stays denser and more durable.
Microclimate
Lavender performs best where roots stay dry in winter and foliage gets strong sun and airflow. Hot edges near paving often improve bloom and fragrance rather than stressing the plant.
Neighborhood observations
In neighborhood plantings, lavender often looks best when it is treated as a structural shrub instead of a thirsty perennial.