Lavender is a wonderful addition to any garden, bringing both beauty and a delightful fragrance. It’s part of the mint family and is famous for its aromatic, silvery leaves and beautiful blooms in shades of pink, purple, or even off-white, depending on the type.
French lavender (Lavandula dentata) is a popular pick, with its strong-scented, grey-green leaves and furry, purple flowers. It’s perfect for pots, hedges, or mass planting and is a good performer in humid climates. Then there’s Spanish or Italian lavender (L. stoechas) with its ‘rabbit ear’ petals on the top of each bloom. It’s also a good choice for humid conditions. And we can’t forget English lavender (Lavandula angustifolia), known for its amazing scent and long vibrantly coloured flower spikes that are perfect for drying and making potpourri. It’s often regarded as the true lavender and performs best in areas where summers are mild and dry.
Lavenders are really coming into their own now, so it’s the perfect time to swing by your garden centre and pick out your favourites!
