Lavender has become a surprising favorite among New Jersey homeowners who want to transform their outdoor spaces. This beautiful purple plant does much more than just look pretty near patios and decks.
From keeping annoying bugs away to creating a calming atmosphere, lavender offers benefits that make it worth planting in your backyard this season.
1. Natural Mosquito Repellent
Mosquitoes hate the scent of lavender, making it a perfect natural defense for your outdoor New Jersey space. When you plant lavender around your patio, the oils released from the flowers create an invisible shield that keeps these biting pests at bay.
Unlike chemical sprays that wear off quickly, lavender works all season long. Your family can enjoy summer evenings outside without constantly swatting bugs or covering themselves in sticky repellent.
Plus, lavender also discourages flies and moths from hanging around your patio area.
2. Beautiful Purple Blooms All Summer
Few plants offer such stunning color for such a long period. Lavender blooms from early June through late August, covering your New Jersey patio borders with gorgeous purple spikes that catch everyone’s eye.
The flowers create a cottage-garden feel that makes any backyard look more inviting and well-designed. You won’t need to replant every year either, since lavender comes back reliably each spring.
Visitors always comment on how beautiful and fragrant the purple blooms look against green grass and patio stones.
3. Wonderfully Soothing Fragrance
Walking onto your patio becomes a sensory treat when lavender fills the air with its sweet, herbal aroma. That distinctive scent has been proven to reduce stress and help people feel more relaxed after a long day.
Imagine sitting outside with a cold drink while gentle lavender fragrance drifts past on a warm breeze. It’s like having your own personal spa right in your backyard.
The smell isn’t overpowering either—just a pleasant, calming presence that makes outdoor time more enjoyable.
4. Attracts Helpful Pollinators
Bees absolutely love lavender, and having them visit your New Jersey yard helps all your other plants grow better. These hardworking pollinators transfer pollen between flowers, which means bigger vegetable harvests and healthier gardens overall.
Butterflies also flock to lavender blooms, adding even more beauty and movement to your outdoor space. Watching these colorful insects flutter around creates a peaceful, nature-filled atmosphere.
Don’t worry—bees visiting lavender are too busy collecting nectar to bother people sitting nearby on the patio.
5. Extremely Low Maintenance
Busy homeowners appreciate that lavender practically takes care of itself once established. This tough plant handles New Jersey’s hot summers without needing constant watering or special attention.
You won’t spend weekends fussing over it like you would with roses or other high-maintenance flowers. Lavender actually prefers being left alone and can survive on rainfall alone during most weeks.
Just trim it back once in early spring, and you’re done with maintenance for the entire year. That’s hard to beat for such a beautiful addition.
6. Harvest For Home Use
Growing lavender near your New Jersey patio means having fresh flowers ready whenever you want them for crafts or home projects. You can cut stems to make sachets that keep closets smelling fresh or add dried lavender to homemade soaps.
Some people brew lavender tea or bake with the flowers, adding a unique flavor to cookies and shortbread. Having your own supply saves money compared to buying dried lavender at specialty stores.
Kids enjoy helping harvest and bundle the fragrant stems, making it a fun family activity during summer months.
7. Thrives In New Jersey Climate
Lavender grows exceptionally well in New Jersey’s climate, handling both summer heat and winter cold without problems. Many varieties are hardy down to Zone 5, which covers most of the state perfectly.
The plant loves the well-drained soil common in New Jersey yards and doesn’t mind the occasional dry spell. Unlike tropical plants that struggle through harsh winters, lavender comes back strong every spring.
Local garden centers stock varieties specifically suited to the region, so you know they’ll succeed in your particular area and growing conditions.