Lavenders

Nothing beats the fragrant aroma of a lavender plant and it’s so easy to grow, there’s really no excuse not to! A lavender plant will thrive in free-draining soil or a container in a lovely sunny spot and is best planted in spring. When it flowers in late spring and summer it will be very attractive to butterflies and bees and other pollinating insects. Many types of lavender are hardy and will last a long time as long as you avoid planting in cold, damp areas. Just prune them annually to keep them compact. It’s easy to propagate more plants with cuttings and these will make super gifts for friends. You can even dry the leaves and flowers and use for craft projects such as drawer fresheners, lavender infused oil, soap, etc. Some types of lavender can even be used in baking, for example to make a delightful lavender shortbread.