Lavender

There’s a place in almost any garden for this fragrant stalwart, which can be used as a low hedge, to frame a border or give you containers full of fragrance – as long as you’re careful with watering, as if they dry out very badly, they’re virtually impossible to bring back. They flower for a long time in summer and their flowers are great for cutting or drying. French lavender, whose flowers are topped with coloured ‘wings’ can be used as culinary herbs, while more fragrant Lavandula angustifolia “Hidcote” make brilliant edging paths for borders and fill the garden with scent.