The blue mounds in this picture are Sea Lavender in a landscape blended with Golden Creeper and other native plants. In a natural situation, the groundwater is only a few feet down and salt spray from the ocean thickens the leaves. Thickening is their defense against drying, and salt air keeps fungus off the leaves.
In a planting, it is necessary to have deep rich soil and in some cases irrigation once a week, or as needed to keep the plant full and growing. If you place permeable ground cloth around the plant and a three inch layer of mulch over that, the retained moisture should be plenty.
There is nothing like a mound of sea lavender in the front yard to provide a soft, silvery welcoming feel to the property. Compare these properties with century plants and cactus near the walkway. Not very welcoming.
Light trimming may be necessary once a year or two, but don't leave leafless stubs or you will kill the plant.
The sea lavender is in the borage family whose members often contain alkaloids that butterflies use to attract their mates. Male queen and soldier butterflies love the dead leaves in particular and several may be seen soaking up these chemicals from moist dead leaves on the plant or ground. In fact, you can gather the leaves and place them on a window sill to view the butterflies up close, like during a child's birthday party.
At Meadow Beauty Nursery we have over 100 of these available, so come by and take a look.
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