Gardening is a celebration of life, creativity, and connection to the natural world. For those of us living in the Chicago area, planting a pollinator-friendly garden is not only a rewarding way to support the environment—it’s also much safer than many people imagine. By welcoming bees and other pollinators into our gardens, we help nurture the delicate balance of our ecosystem while creating beautiful, thriving outdoor spaces. If you’re hesitant about attracting bees, let’s explore why a pollinator garden is a safe and joyful addition to any home, and how you can ensure peace of mind for yourself and your family. 

Few plants capture the imagination quite like lavender. With its soft purple blooms, calming scent, and impressive adaptability, it’s no wonder this herb has earned a devoted following among gardeners, cooks, and wellness enthusiasts alike.  Lavender isn’t just beautiful—it’s also surprisingly hardy. For gardeners in Zones 5b–6a, including much of the Chicagoland area, it’s possible to grow this Mediterranean native successfully, even in heavy clay soils. Whether you're planting it along borders, tucking it into containers, shaping it into charming topiaries, or drying it for your next DIY spa night, lavender’s versatility makes it a must-have in any garden. Shop book.  Shop our Lavender Market. Lavender Varieties To Know Perennial Lavender (Cold Hardy) If you're looking for lavender that comes back year after year in northern climates, start with cold-hardy varieties: English Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia): Tried and true for colder climates, English lavenders like ‘Hidcote’ and ‘Munstead’ feature compact growth, rich fragrance, and strong flower color. They’re also excellent for culinary use.  Lavandin (Lavandula x intermedia): A hybrid of English and Portuguese lavender, Lavandin varieties such as ‘Annet’ are larger with longer flower spikes and a more intense aroma. Slightly less cold-hardy, they may need extra winter protection in exposed spots. Lavender, Annet Lavender, Sweet Romance Annual Lavender (Warm Climate Types) In cooler regions, some lavender types are best grown as annuals: Spanish Lavender (Lavandula stoechas): Known for its striking “rabbit ear” bracts, it’s more showy than hardy. A beautiful seasonal choice for containers and borders.  French Lavender (Lavandula dentata): With finely toothed leaves and heat-loving nature, French lavender is another great annual choice for decorative flair. Lavender Herb, Lavender French Indoor Lavender Topiaries Indoor topiaries add structure and fragrance to your home. Choose compact, well-pruned plants like Goodwin Creek or French lavender topiaries. Place them in bright, sunny windows, and rotate them regularly to encourage even growth. Trim lightly to maintain shape and remove spent blooms. How to Grow Lavender — In Ground & In Containers Soil & Location Lavender prefers well-draining, alkaline to neutral soils. In clay-heavy areas like much of the Midwest, amend soil with sand or soil conditioner to improve drainage. Raised beds and sloped sites are ideal. Avoid planting in low-lying areas where water collects—lavender roots are susceptible to rot in soggy conditions. Watering & Light Lavender loves the sun. Choose a spot that receives at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily. Once established, lavender is drought-tolerant and thrives in dry conditions—perfect for xeriscaping. Water deeply but infrequently, allowing soil to dry out between waterings. Pruning & Maintenance Avoid pruning lavender in the fall—it can cause winter dieback. Instead, wait until early spring when new growth appears, then trim back by about one-third. To enjoy the strongest fragrance and best drying results, harvest flower spikes just before full bloom. Some varieties benefit from deadheading to encourage additional flowering. Container Growing Tips Lavender grows beautifully in containers, making it ideal for patios and porches. Use terra cotta pots with excellent drainage and a light, sandy potting mix. Be sure to bring containers indoors for the winter, placing them in a cool, bright location like a sunroom or enclosed porch. Lavender’s Culinary & Aromatherapy Uses In the Kitchen English lavender (L. angustifolia) is your go-to for culinary uses due to its low camphor content. Add a unique floral twist to: Lavender Lemonade or Herbal Tea - Try steeping dried lavender with tea blends like Daily Beauty for a calming experience. Baked Goods - Add a hint of lavender to shortbread or muffins. Or skip the baking and enjoy lavender shortbread ready-made. Infusions - Make your own lavender sugar or drizzle lavender-infused honey over yogurt or toast. Remember, a little goes a long way—start with small amounts to avoid overpowering the dish. Wellness & DIY Lavender is a staple in natural wellness: Relaxation: Use dried buds in sachets, bath salts, or potpourri like these French lavender wraps. Aromatherapy: A few drops of lavender essential oil on your pillow or in a diffuser can promote restful sleep and reduce stress.  Home Spa Vibes: Treat yourself with lavender-scented candles, linen sprays, or luxurious lotions for a calming daily ritual.  Lavender is more than just a pretty face. It’s fragrant, functional, and surprisingly resilient—perfect for Northern gardens and container lovers alike. With the right soil, plenty of sunshine, and a little pruning know-how, you can enjoy lavender’s many benefits both inside and outside your home. From fragrant garden beds to cozy tea mugs, lavender brings a little luxury and peace wherever it grows. Shop our Lavender Market. THIS WEEKEND (7/11-7/13) Join us for a weekend of lavender delights and summer deals. Enjoy inspired shopping, garden strolls, a lavender demo, and Saturday’s Signature Lavender Arrangement Workshop—plus up to $5 off select lavender plants.

It’s officially summertime, and things are heating up in the garden! From weeding  to pruning, a few gardening tasks will set you up for success during some of the most prolific blooming periods of the year. So here you’ll find our timely garden tasks to do in July.   Watering: In hotter temperatures, water your garden frequently to keep plants happy. If no rain, water twice a week. Aim for 1 inch of rain per week at 75°F, plus 1/2 inch for every 10 degrees above. (Ex. For 85°F, aim for 1.5" of rainfall. A good sprinkler is essential.) Shop our watering tools here. Mulch: Apply a thin layer of mulch over the root zone of your perennials and shrubs to lock in soil moisture as the summer heat sets in. Keep a 4-6" circle of open soil next to the stems to avoid any stem rot diseases. Shop our mulch here. Natives: Consider adding native plants to your garden when filling open spaces. Natives and local fauna (insects, birds and animals) developed relying on each other for hundreds of years. Even adding just a few native plants to your yard will attract more native birds, animals and pollinators. Shop our native plants here. Coneflowers: As summer temperatures rise in the garden, many plants start to fade. Not coneflowers (Echinacea)! These long-blooming perennials thrive in full sun and heat, adding vibrant color to the garden from summer to frost. Coneflowers aren’t only pretty – they’re also problem-solvers in the landscape. They adapt easily to any well-draining soil (even poor soils) and can handle mild drought once established. Even in gardens plagued with deer, coneflowers always seem unfazed. Deer and other garden pests dislike their hairy leaves, stems, and prickly cones that serve as the namesake of this hardy perennial. Shop our coneflowers here. Potted Tropicals: Enhance the decor your patio with potted tropical plants like Hibiscus, Bouganvilla, Palms and Bird of Paradise. Shop our tropical plants here. Deadhead: Continually deadhead spent flowers, especially on roses, for more blooms. Insects: Insects are returning – good and bad! Inspect your plants for signs of pest damage and treat them accordingly. Using systemic products that last for 30 days in the leaves that are sprayed; are more Earth-Friendly because they are not sprayed as frequently killing beneficial insects. Spraying at dusk is the most Earth-friendly time to apply them; as the pollinators are back at their hives at dusk.    BioAdvanced® | Dual Action Rose & Flower Insect Killer BioAdvanced® | 3-in-1 Insect, Disease & Mite Control Ready to Spray with Hose End Sprayer BioAdvanced® | 3-in-1 Insect, Disease, & Mite Control Ready to Use with Trigger Sprayer Herbs: Harvest and use perennial herbs (like rosemary, lavender, mint or sage) in summer cocktails and other recipes. The pruning that is used for harvesting encourages bushier, fuller plants – so there will be more herbs to use. Shop our herbs here. Fertilizer: If the first application of Dr. Earth fertilizer was made in May, it lasted for 60 days. July is the time for another application (1 cup per 10 square feet). Dr. Earth Bud & Bloom Booster (around Hydrangeas) Dr. Earth Rose & Flower (Roses, Annuals and Perennials)  Dr. Earth Tomato, Vegetable and Herb (Vegetables, Tomatoes and Herbs)  Dr. Earth Fruit Tree Fertilizer (all fruit producing trees, shrubs and flowering trees like Crabapples and Lilacs).      Japanese Beetles: Japanese beetles will be returning in July. Use a systemic drench on roses and the other plants in the rose family that Japanese Beetles love to eat. BioAdvanced | All-in-One Rose and Flower Care | 32 Oz. Weeding: Keep on weeding! It feels like a never-ending task, but it keeps your garden tidy and healthy.   Jennifer Brennan Jennifer Brennan is the Horticulture Information Specialist, advising and coaching gardeners at Chalet-nursery for over 30 years.