Day 14: Connecting with nature to nourish my wellbeing during the dark days of winter by taking a closer look at lavender in my wildlife garden.
As the winter sun bathed the garden today, I wrapped myself in a cosy scarf, and my eccentric Christmas bobble hat and ventured outside to reconnect with my wildlife garden. The today midl December air carried a quiet energy, the kind that wakes you up and clears your mind. While the days may be short and the sun light fleeting, the you will always find something extraordinary if you, get outside, slow down and look closely. Today, my attention was drawn to the quiet resilience of my lavender plants standing proudly in the wildlife garden.
What is Lavender?
Lavender is a fragrant evergreen shrub, native to the Mediterranean but widely loved and cultivated around the world; with its aromatic silvery foliage and delicate purple blooms, it has long been cherished for its calming properties and its ability to attract pollinators. Even in winter, lavender holds a quiet beauty, its soft bkue-green stems a stark but elegant contrast to the barren surroundings of this festive season and dark winter days.
But lavender is not just an ornamental plant—it’s an ecological powerhouse, particularly in wildlife-friendly gardens.
A Closer Look at Lavender in My Wildlife Garden
Today, kneeling in the sunny winter wildlife garden, I took time to study the lavender hedge I have planted. Though the delicate purple flowers of summer are long gone, its woody stems and silvery leaves still hum with life. My lavender bushes serve as miniature habitats, even in the depths of winter. Peering closely, I noticed invertebrates nestled among the leaves, taking refuge from the chill. The dry seed heads, which I had deliberately left untrimmed in he late Autumn, were serving as a vital winter food source for birds.
Lavender’s Role in Supporting Biodiversity
Lavender is more than just a spring and summer favourite—it’s an all-season asset for wildlife gardens. Here’s how it contributes:
Summer Blooms: In its peak season, lavender is a magnet for bees, butterflies, and other pollinators. Its nectar-rich flowers provide essential food, particularly for bumblebees, whose populations need our help.
Winter Shelter: Its dense foliage offers shelter to small insects and invertebrates, forming the base of the garden food web. I could see spiders webs around my lavender with morning.
Seed Buffet: Left untrimmed, lavender’s seed heads become a valuable food source for birds like goldfinches and sparrows. I frequently get House Sparrows in the garden.
Year-Round Structure: Lavender’s evergreen presence adds structure and texture to the garden, breaking up the winter monotony. The colour looks extraordinary in the winter – it is amazing.
Why Taking Time to Observe Lavender Made a Difference to Me
In the quiet of my wildlife garden, I found myself marveling at lavender’s understated beauty. Its ability to thrive through the cold months—offering life and shelter to garden visitors—reminded me of the importance of resilience and adaptation. Just as lavender weathers the changing seasons, I too can find strength to face life’s challenges.
Slowing down to observe this extraordinary herb, I felt a profound of peace, losing myself in the amazing colours of this plant in the winter. In its’ quiet way, lavender reminds me that beauty and purpose can be found even in the dormant times, both in nature and in our own lives.
Tips for Incorporating Lavender into Your Wildlife Garden
You should have lavender in your garden, here are some tips to make the most of this versatile plant:
Choose the Right Spot: Lavender thrives in sunny, well-drained soil. It loves a south-facing border or a raised bed. I dug a trench for my lavender and added gravel to the bottom, of this to support the good drainage the lavender needs.
Select Wildlife-Friendly Varieties: English Hidcote lavender is a fantastic choice for supporting pollinators, this variety also survives the the UK winters. French lavender does not tolerate the UK winter weather – it really hates cold and wet. If you have French lavender – bring these plants inside – to a conservatory or a shed with lots of light.
Plant in Clusters: Grouping lavender plants together creates an irresistible nectar source for bees and butterflies. I have planted my lavender plants in a small hedge. This was inspired by the lavender planting I saw at Buckfast Abbey – when I was at school.
Avoid Over-Pruning: Leave seed heads on through winter to provide food and shelter for wildlife. I cut back the flower heads in early Autumn, but leave them to protect the plant and provide shelter during the dark winter months.
Companion Planting: Pair lavender with other wildlife-friendly plants like marjoram, thyme, or echinacea to boost biodiversity. Bare in mind that echinacea can quite happily grow for a few seasons and then die out for no reason.
Finding Joy in the Small Things
Today, the lavender in my garden reminded me of the joyof being present. Despite the busyness of this festive and the chill in the air, spending time observing the quiet persistence of nature gave me a sense of calm. It’s a powerful reminder that even the smallest things—a plant, a seed, a visiting bird—can brighten the darkest of days.
Have you had time to connect nature today? If not, I encourage you to step outside and find a little moment to stand and immerse yourself in nature—whether it’s a plant in your garden or a patch of a tiny plant growing through a crack in the pavement.
Let me know in the comments if lavender plays a role in your wildlife garden. I’d love to hear your stories!
Bring light to the dark days of your winter.