Gardeners: you’ll really dig these

For anyone who gets their hands dirty (and the rest of us), these botanically charged treats guarantee TLC

You don’t have to be into gardening (or be great friends with someone who is) in order to appreciate the products on these pages, but it could definitely help. Because the idea behind this selection is to provide some TLC to the pruners, planters and weeders among us; the ones who stoop, kneel, crouch and tend to get their hands dirty. Or those who simply want to soothe tense, sore muscles after a long day hunched over a computer screen.

Equally, of course, they can work for anyone who is feeling some aches and pains, is in need of a reboot, or simply wants to give their over-washed hands some much-needed extra nourishment.

My initial inspiration came from the In The Garden range by that always-charming brand

Heathcote & Ivory. The entire collection is delicately scented with rhubarb and a dash of lilac blossom. Garden-inspired illustrations by young British artist Clare Therese Gray decorate the pretty packaging. An added bonus is that much of it has an eco-conscience. So the

Barrier Cream (£7, heathcoteivory.com), a rich shea butter formula with thyme essential oil, comes in a pot that can be repurposed for planting cuttings and seeds. The

All Purpose Balm (£8), with lavender, sage and rosemary essential oils, is housed in a pretty tin with illustrations embossed on the lid and can be turned into a useful little storage container (or what my brother would call hoarder’s delight). The Muscle Soak Bath Salts (£5) contain eucalyptus, rosemary and lavender essential oils to add a delicious scent to a good old wallow in the tub, and its paper wrapping is a pretty addition to any bathroom shelf.

Continuing with the garden theme, Heathcote & Ivory has also produced its annual collection in partnership with the Royal Horticultural Society, using botanical extracts of wisteria, lilac and lavender essential oils all wrapped up in designs inspired by botanical drawings from the RHS’s Lindley Library. It’s a lovely offering full of washes and lotions. I’m also

They’ll work for pruners, planters and anyone with aches and pains

a sucker for the RHS Flower Blooms Lavender Garden Scented Soap Bar (£6).

For an alternative bathing option, go to Batch #001 and grab some of its truly fantastic Salt & Oil Bath Soak with organic sweet orange and bergamot (£22, batch001.com). You won’t find anything finer than this in even the most luxurious of spas: the mix of pink Himalayan and Dead Sea salts smells glorious and will instantly transport you to relaxation land, help you unwind and soothe dry skin. Plus the understated brown glass bottles and labels all feel super-chic while full of apothecary-style goodness.

If you’re a shower person worry not, for I’ve got you covered. Or perhaps more accurately

Aromatherapy Associates has. Already famed for its wellness oils that can be used in both the bath and shower, it has now launched specific

Shower Oils (£26, aromatherapyassociates.com) in all of its signature aromas:

De-Stress Calm & Focus, Revive Energise & Awaken, Rose Enrich & Uplift, and

Muscle Ease & Recover. These are seriously superior body cleansers: they feel rich as you apply them and once they meet water they create a very delicate lather. The powerful aromas of the essential oils are like mood therapy – Muscle Ease & Recover includes rosemary, ginger and black pepper to warm and ease muscle tension. These come in recyclable plastic bottles and use 50 per cent post-consumer recycled plastic.

For extra muscle aid, look to Greek brand Kear’s lovely Calm Revive Arnica Body Oil

(£39, kearlife.com). This comes with arnica blended with sweet almond oil, extra virgin olive oil and beeswax – just rub it in to ease any tired muscles as well as to moisturise.

Finally, Crabtree & Evelyn The Gardeners Ground Exfoliation Powder (£28.50, crabtree-evelyn.co.uk) is an all-over body scrub but also great for an extra-thorough hand wash. It’s made from coffee powder and finely ground raspberry seeds – simply add some to your favourite body cleanser and it will do the rest, sloughing away dead skin along with the dirt.