I Love Lavender!

I'm not a big gardener but one thing I always have in the garden is lavender. Why? Because it's nigh on impossible to kill it, even for a notorious plant murderer like me! It requires little water and likes a sunny spot but I've grown it pretty much every-which-where.

It's pretty to look at, attracts bees and I know it's not to everyone's taste (my sister says it smells like old ladies!) but I LOVE the fragrance of lavender

Bees love it because the flowers have a high nectar content which apparently makes better honey

Lavender can be used in cooking and baking and lavender oil is often used in aromatherapy to aid relaxation and sleep. I have a Lavender Vanilla Yankee Candle that I burn in the bathroom or bedroom when I need to wind down

It also has disinfectant properties - it was used during world war 1 to wash down hospital walls and floors. These days it's more likely to be diluted and used on cuts and stings.

I like to have jugs of it in the house because I like the look of it. You can actually get specific lavender jugs ,so I can't be the only one who does this!

If you decide to plant yourself some lavender, go for English lavender and be sure to give it a good trim back (to 1/3 of its size) every late August/early September to prevent it getting woody and out of control.

Go forth and spread the lavender love!