UC Master Gardener Richard Gillispie has two words of advice for Fresno County gardeners: “plant lavender.”

That's what he did in a big way when the COVID-19 pandemic thwarted plans to travel in his brand new fifth-wheel RV during retirement. Working alongside his nephew on western Fresno land that has been in the family for 90 years, Gillispie collected, propagated and planted 38 species of the fragrant herb.

Gillespie's fascination with lavender was sparked by his honey bees' keen interest in the plant. He took a self-paced online lavender class at Michigan State University, then converted a field where his father once cultivated cotton into waves of gray-to-green shrubs that radiate a sweet floral aroma.

Caring for lavender is relatively easy. It tolerates poor soil and suffers from few pests and diseases. A perennial, lavender can live in the garden for a decade or more. The plant needs a small application of fertilizer for establishment but, when mature, does not need fertilizer to be applied.

Lavender is naturally drought tolerant. “Too much water will rot the roots,” Gillespie said. “The plants tell you when they need water. As a general rule, soak once a week, then leave them alone.”

In addition to honey bees, lavender attracts butterflies, hummingbirds and other pollinators. With many pollinators threatened by habitat destruction and climate change, lavender plantings are a welcome resource for insects that are essential for food production.

Lavender appealed to Gillispie in part because of its many uses:

Medicinal: Lavender is good for mental health, Gillispie said. The components in plant aromas affect the nervous system and have a calming effect, providing excellent therapy for anyone with anxiety or hyperactivity disorders, he said.

Culinary: Lavender honey is a luxury item made by bees that forage the lavender flowers. Lavender can also be used in sweet and savory recipes. Gillispie said he grills white fish on lavender sprigs to infuse a spicy, minty note. Lavender can be used to flavor lemonade, teas, ice cream, cookies and many other foods.

Potential for value-added products: A wide variety of products can be made with distilled lavender flowers, such as essential oil, soap and lotion and hydrosol, the watery by-product of lavender distillation that can perfume the home, laundry, face and skin with a fresh clean scent.

Learn more:

• Fifteen varieties of lavender fill a four-by ten-foot plot at the Fresno County Master Gardener's Garden of the Sun, 1750 N. Winery Ave., Fresno. Varieties include the fragrant French lavender Mailette, delicate white flower-bearing Edelweiss, the extra-large-leafed Hidcote Giant, and three-foot-tall Fatspike. The garden is open to the public Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 8 to 11 a.m.
• Cultural tips for growing lavender, UC Integrated Pest Management program
• Managing lavender pests, UC Integrated Pest Management program