Lavandula angustifolia ‘Vera’ (Lavender)

Sunny position and good free draining soil. Cut back old flower heads in April to May or after flowering. Don't cut into old wood though.

Being a major fuss-pot when it comes to ground conditions (really sharp drainage required), IF you have a sunny garden on sandy or chalky soil, then NOT growing this is verging on being illegal. They are such wonderful plants but if you haven't got the right conditions, don't bother. If you do, plant lots and keep them well clipped into delicious domes after flowering or even before if you're not mad on the flowers.

N.B. When clipping several plants with the same tool, have a bucket containing a 5% bleach solution and swish your blades around for 30 seconds between plants to sterilise them. This will help avoid the chance of cross contamination of disease.

As with all woody plants, plant high, exposing as much of the taper at the base of the trunk as possible. Allowing soil to accumulate round the base of a tree can be fatal. Keep very well watered when first planted.