Lavender actually benefits from gravel or sandy soil as it prefers well-drained soil to damp or wet soil. Lavender does best in warm climates with full sun. This perennial plant is hardy to USDA zone 5.
Lavender is usually grown in the home garden as an ornamental plant, popular due to its attractive flowers and fragrance and ability to tolerate dry conditions with little water.
Spanish lavender looks slightly different than English lavender but is less cold hardy, zones 7-9. It's important to ensure you're planting the correct lavender variety for your growing zone.