Lavender

Lavandula angustifolia Elizabeth

• Position: full sun
• Soil: fertile, well-drained soil
• Rate of growth: average
• Flowering period: July to September
• Hardiness: fully hardy

  
  A new variety, with dense spikes of shocking violet flowers in late summer that shine out among aromatic, silvery-grey leaves. It's fairly compact, so makes a gorgeous, informal flowering hedge, especially for edging a path and border, and brushing against it releases its heady fragrance. The flower-spikes are highly attractive to bees and other beneficial insects.
  
  

• Garden care: Cut back the stalks after the flowers have faded to retain a compact shape. Carefully trim back in April, taking care not to cut into old wood.