Lavandula angustifolia Labiatae

CULTIVATION A hardy evergreen shrub, lavender has aromatic, slim, grey-green leaves and mauve, blue, white or pink flowers. It grows to a height of 30-75 cm (12-30in) and prefers poor, well-drained soil and full sun. Propagate it by taking stem cuttings in spring or summer or by dividing the plant in the autumn, planting them 30cm (1ft) apart. Harvest the flowers as they open and the leaves all year round. Lavender is a versatile garden, border, hedge and container herb.

Recommended varieties Blue-flowered, L.a. ‘Munstead’; white-flowered, L.a. ‘Nana Alba’; purple-flowered, L.a. ‘Hidcote’; French lavender, L. stoechas; silver-leaved purple-blue, L. ‘Sawyer’s’; Dutch lavender, L. x intermedia ‘Vera’.