Latest news with #EnglishLavender
Time of India
20-07-2025
- Lifestyle
- Time of India
8 beautiful lavender plants to add fragrance, colour, and garden appeal to your space
Looking to add fragrance, colour, and charm to your living space? Lavender plants are the perfect choice for indoor and outdoor gardening. Renowned for their calming scent, elegant purple flowers, and pollinator-friendly qualities, lavender varieties thrive in everything from balcony containers to sprawling garden borders. These low-maintenance, drought-tolerant perennials not only enhance your landscape design but also support eco-friendly gardening and natural pest control. Whether you're aiming to create a serene meditation corner, boost your curb appeal, or grow herbs for essential oils and crafts, lavender is a versatile and rewarding addition. Explore these eight beautiful lavender types to elevate your home décor, garden aesthetics, and wellness routine. 8 beautiful lavender plants to enhance your space English Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) This classic variety is loved for its sweet scent and soft purple-blue blossoms. Perfect for garden borders, herb patches, or low hedges, it thrives in full sunlight and well-drained soil. It typically blooms from late spring to early summer, and its flowers are ideal for drying and using in sachets or potpourri. Compact cultivars like 'Munstead' and 'Hidcote' work beautifully in containers. English lavender is also known for attracting bees and butterflies, helping support pollinator populations in your garden. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 21st Century Skills Start with Confident Communication Planet Spark Learn More Undo French Lavender (Lavandula dentata) French Lavender stands out with its ruffled, serrated leaves and soft, petal-like bracts that resemble butterfly wings. It blooms from late spring through fall, especially in warmer climates, and carries a lighter, sweeter fragrance. This variety thrives in dry, sunny spots and brings a whimsical charm to patios, balconies, and Mediterranean-style gardens. It's also a magnet for pollinators and adds a delicate texture to any landscape. Spanish Lavender (Lavandula stoechas) Often called 'rabbit ears' lavender for its bright purple bracts atop pineapple-shaped flower heads, Spanish Lavender makes a bold statement. It blooms earlier than many varieties and can last well into late summer with regular deadheading. This drought-tolerant plant loves heat and sun, making it perfect for rock gardens, decorative borders, and patio pots. Its herbal fragrance and vibrant appearance make it a unique and eye-catching choice. Lavandin (Lavandula × intermedia) Lavandin is a robust hybrid between English and Portuguese lavender. Known for its tall stems and intense fragrance, it is commonly used in essential oil production and dried arrangements. Popular varieties like 'Grosso' and 'Provence' produce lush spikes of violet flowers and grow well in sunny, dry areas. Lavandin's strong aroma also acts as a natural insect repellent, making it a practical as well as beautiful addition to the garden. Munstead Lavender A compact cultivar of English lavender, 'Munstead' is an excellent choice for small spaces such as windowsills, balconies, or container gardens. It grows to about 18 inches tall and blooms from late spring through early summer, with a potential second flush if trimmed. Its pale purple flowers and neat, rounded form make it a favorite among gardeners who want something tidy, fragrant, and easy to manage. Hidcote Lavender One of the most popular English lavender types, 'Hidcote' is admired for its rich violet-blue flowers and compact structure. It blooms in mid to late summer and reaches up to 24 inches tall, making it a lovely choice for hedges, borders, or edging pathways. The blooms are perfect for drying and retain their color and scent for a long time. This variety also attracts pollinators and performs best in sunny, well-drained spots. Portuguese Lavender (Lavandula latifolia) Also known as spike lavender, this variety features long stems topped with pale blue-lilac flowers and has a stronger, camphor-like scent. Native to the Iberian Peninsula, Portuguese Lavender is more heat-tolerant than many others and thrives in hot, dry conditions. It's often used in perfumery and essential oil production and suits water-wise gardening practices like xeriscaping, where minimal irrigation is needed. Phenomenal Lavender A hardy hybrid, 'Phenomenal' Lavender lives up to its name with its strong resistance to cold, heat, and disease. It features elegant purple flower spikes and silvery foliage and can grow up to 30 inches tall. Blooming from mid-summer into fall, it performs well in a range of climates and soil types. 'Phenomenal' is perfect for mass plantings, borders, and perennial beds, offering both visual appeal and durability. Lavender isn't just a beautiful plant, it's a multi-functional powerhouse that brings fragrance, calm, and pollinator-friendly benefits to any space. From the classic elegance of English varieties to the striking presence of Spanish and hybrid lavenders, there's a type for every taste and gardening need. Whether you're sprucing up a balcony or transforming your garden into a relaxing retreat, adding one (or more) of these eight stunning lavender plants is a wonderful way to invite beauty and tranquility into your life. Also Read: 5 smart lawn hacks for a healthy summer yard
Tom's Guide
06-07-2025
- General
- Tom's Guide
Deter wasps naturally — this fragrant plant is my secret weapon for keeping pests away from my yard
Imagine sitting outside with friends and family during a warm, balmy evening, when all of a sudden your enjoyment is interrupted by uninvited wasps. What had started as a peaceful gathering suddenly turns into a frenzied battle against against the pests, who don't have any sense of what is socially acceptable. If this sounds familiar, and you're fed up with wasps invading your outside space in the summer, snacking at your food, and sipping your sugary drinks, there are natural methods you can follow to get rid of wasps to stop you heading back indoors. Rather than using sprays and unnatural baits that can harm the pests, you can employ this natural method, which offers benefits beyond deterring wasps. While wasps drive us to distraction, Liam Cleary, outdoor plants expert at Old Railway Line Garden Centre, says there is one common garden plant that will stop the pests spoiling our fun, and it will also save you from spending out on expensive pest control. According to Clearly, planting lavender is a simple and affordable solution that looks great and keeps wasps from hanging around your garden. 'Wasps are highly sensitive to strong scents, and lavender is one they really don't like. Planting it near seating areas, doorways, or patios can help mask the smells that attract them, like food, sugary drinks, or perfumes,' he says. Lavender is also the perfect plant for dry conditions, as it's drought-resistant and can tolerate hot, dry summers that we're currently experiencing. Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips. This Felco bypass pruner is perfect for medium-sized hands and comes with a comfortable ergonomic handle. It has a sturdy design, yet is lightweight and gives a consistent performance. What's more, this pruner is given a 5-star rating in our best pruning shears buying guide. Lavender contains essential oils such as linalool and camphor, which give it its distinctive floral scent. While it's pleasant to humans — and pollinators like bees and butterflies — it's overwhelming to wasps, which rely heavily on scent to detect food. What's more, lavender is also one of the scents that repels mosquitoes and keeps them out of your home — it's a multi-tasking pest deterrent. Apart from its capacity to repel wasps, lavender is also one of the easiest and most rewarding plants to grow. I have several lavender bushes in my backyard, which are planted in pots and flowerbeds, planted singularly and grouped together to form low hedging. What's more, lavender is an inexpensive plant to buy, and if you're not looking for an instant result, you can grow it from seed. A packet of English Lavender seeds from PowerGrow Systems costs $2 at Amazon. Alternatively, you can purchase a 4-pack of lavender at Amazon for $24. Cleary is a fan, and says, 'It's low maintenance, smells incredible, and keeps your garden feeling calm, all while helping you enjoy a wasp-free zone.' Lavender will do best if grown in certain conditions, so to help it stay healthy and thrive, Cleary recommends following these four expert tips. 1. Choose a sunny spot Lavender loves full sun and well-drained soil, so avoid shaded or damp areas. 2. Go for pots or raised planters These make it easier to move the plants where needed, and work brilliantly on patios or balconies. 3. Don't overwater Lavender is drought-tolerant and prefers slightly dry conditions. Overwatering can cause it to wilt or rot. 4. Pair it with other natural deterrents If you're prone to wasp visits, try planting lavender alongside mint, thyme, or lemongrass for an extra layer of protection.
Scottish Sun
28-06-2025
- Lifestyle
- Scottish Sun
Garden pro's £3.99 fast-growing flower from Lidl blooms all summer & brings ‘romance' to your outside space
LOVE IS IN THE AIR Garden pro's £3.99 fast-growing flower from Lidl blooms all summer & brings 'romance' to your outside space Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) THINK of lush blooms swaying gently, winding soft stone footpaths inviting you to who knows where and the rustling sound of grasses nodding along in the breeze. Butterflies zig zag from scented clematis and roses to foxgloves and jasmine climbing round your door - as water softly gurgles from a fountain. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 3 A Romantic Galician garden in North Western Spain Credit: Turismo de Galicia 3 A British, rustic romantic garden filled with colour and scent Credit: Getty 3 Garden designed Nilufer Danis, who has a romantic garden at Hampton Court Flower festival next week Credit: Supplied Sound good? Then you'll probably be a fan of romantic gardens. They've been around for about 300 years - initially designed as a reaction to the strict formal, geometrical designs that went before them. But what's great - and why they're emerging as a serious trend this year - is that they're easy to create in your outside space, look stunning - and promote positive mental health. Garden designer Nilufer Danis is building a romantic garden called 'The Three Graces of Galicia' at RHS Hampton flower show - which starts on Tuesday - and is a big advocate for creating beautiful, serene spaces that evoke a sense of calm and wellbeing but are also designed with the environment in mind. She told Sun Gardening how to create your own. 'Forget about the more contemporary geometric shapes - and think more organic - like winding paths, with shaded covers like a pavilion, pergola, or lots of trellis", she said. 'You're aiming for lots of climbers - like roses, star of jasmine, lavenders and perennials like salvia - and you want scented flowers rather than evergreens and green foliage plants. 'And water fountains - with their nice trickle of water - are not only lovely, but birds and insects like them. 'Pastel colours are really important - they give a dreamy feel - and it's not very clean and neat - it should be more overgrown' Alan Titchmarsh's top 7 plants that 'transform ugly fences with gorgeous flowers & fragrance' & they grow for years From Tuesday, Lidl will be selling an English Lavender collection of three pots, for £3.99. While Crocus has got pots of Salvia 'Victoria Blue' for £3.50 - reduced from £6.99. English Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) generally blooms from mid-summer to late summer. French Lavender (Lavandula stoechas) can bloom in flushes from late spring to late summer, especially if pruned after each flush. Nilufer's Romantic Garden at Hampton celebrates the power of literature, identity, and resilience through the legacy of three iconic 19th-century Spanish women — Rosalía de Castro, Emilia Pardo Bazán, and Concepción Arenal. She added ''I wanted to create a space that celebrates strength, resilience, and the transformative power of ideas. This garden is a tribute to Galicia's rich literary and natural heritage — and an invitation for reflection on identity, justice, and the role of women in shaping the world." Her plant list includes - Camellia japonica - chosen for it's glossy leaves and large colourful blooms are common in Galcian gardens - Hydrangea macrophylla 'Endless Summer' thrives in Galicia's cool, moist climate - Rosa 'The Ancient Mariner' and Rose 'Empress Josephine' - to add fragrance, timeless beauty and a touch of history - Polystichum setiferum - is low maintenance and supports biodiversity - Tall topiary trees (Carpinus betulus)
The Irish Sun
28-06-2025
- Lifestyle
- The Irish Sun
Garden pro's £3.99 fast-growing flower from Lidl blooms all summer & brings ‘romance' to your outside space
THINK of lush blooms swaying gently, winding soft stone footpaths inviting you to who knows where and the rustling sound of grasses nodding along in the breeze. Butterflies zig zag from scented clematis and roses to foxgloves and jasmine climbing round your door - as water softly gurgles from a fountain. Advertisement 3 A Romantic Galician garden in North Western Spain Credit: Turismo de Galicia 3 A British, rustic romantic garden filled with colour and scent Credit: Getty 3 Garden designed Nilufer Danis, who has a romantic garden at Hampton Court Flower festival next week Credit: Supplied Sound good? Then you'll probably be a fan of romantic They've been around for about 300 years - initially designed as a reaction to the strict formal, geometrical designs that went before them. But what's great - and why they're emerging as a serious trend this year - is that they're easy to create in your outside space, look stunning - and promote positive Advertisement Read More Gardening Garden designer She told Sun Gardening how to create your own. 'Forget about the more contemporary geometric shapes - and think more organic - like winding paths, with shaded covers like a pavilion, 'You're aiming for lots of climbers - like Advertisement Most read in Fabulous 'And 'Pastel colours are really important - they give a dreamy feel - and it's not very clean and neat - it should be more overgrown' Alan Titchmarsh's top 7 plants that 'transform ugly fences with gorgeous flowers & fragrance' & they grow for years From Tuesday, While Advertisement English Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) generally blooms from mid-summer to late summer. French Lavender (Lavandula stoechas) can bloom in flushes from late spring to late summer, especially if pruned after each flush. Nilufer's Romantic Garden at Hampton celebrates the power of literature, identity, and resilience through the legacy of three iconic 19th-century Spanish women — Rosalía de Castro, Emilia Pardo Bazán, and Concepción Arenal. She added ''I wanted to create a space that celebrates strength, resilience, and the transformative power of ideas. This garden is a tribute to Galicia's rich literary and natural heritage — and an invitation for reflection on identity, justice, and the role of women in shaping the world." Advertisement Her plant list includes - Camellia japonica - chosen for it's glossy leaves and large colourful blooms are common in Galcian gardens - Hydrangea macrophylla 'Endless Summer' thrives in Galicia's cool, moist climate - Rosa 'The Ancient Mariner' and Rose 'Empress Josephine' - to add fragrance, timeless beauty and a touch of history Advertisement - Polystichum setiferum - is low maintenance and supports biodiversity - Tall topiary trees (Carpinus betulus) Also in Veronica's column this week News, top tips and a competition to win a Blackstone Griddle outdoor oven NEWS ! Families can discover a show themed around 'wonder' at RHS Hampton Court Palace Garden Festival - taking place next week. Alongside show gardens, pavilions of roses and thousands of plants there's an exciting schedule of children's activities, workshops and lively music. Visitors will be joined by legendary children's icons, the Wombles - with Womble sculptures and a Womble-themed trail around the gardens, plus costumed characters making an appearance across the Go Wild Family Area hosts an array of family activities to encourage playfulness and stimulates a curiosity for gardening. Exhibits include the Schools Bug Barrels the Skinny Jean Gardener mini festival where Lee Connelly will be hosting interactive workshops and Kingston Forest School will provide hands-on nature-based activities. Children up to the age of 16 go free, students pay a discounted rate of £10.85 and adult full day tickets are £38.85. For tickets visit NEWS! A baobab tree in the Rainforest Biome at the Adansonia digitata is native to Africa and is known as the 'Tree of Life' - because it can live for over 3000 years - and for its ability to support both humans and wildlife, providing everything from food and shelter to clothing and medicine. It can grow up to 25m in height and equally as wide in circumference, with spindly, root-like branches protruding from the rotund trunk, coining another nickname – the 'Upside-Down Tree'. WIN! One lucky Sun Gardening reader can win a Entries close 11.59pm. July 12, 2025. T&C s apply. JOB OF THE WEEK! Pots and hanging baskets will be struggling in this heat - water them daily. Leave your lawn cuttings to mulch the grass - locking in lawn moisture - keep greenhouses ventilated. For more tips and gardening content follow me
Daily Mirror
16-05-2025
- General
- Daily Mirror
Alan Titchmarsh names five 'must-have' plants that can be added to any garden
Now that spring has well and truly sprung, it's the perfect time to look into refreshing your flower beds – and Alan Titchmarsh has a handful of suggestions that will be particularly useful for busy gardeners Many people will find themselves visiting the garden centre every spring, and buying plants to restock tired flowerbeds. But perennials – plants that live for more than two years – are the perfect low-maintenance solution for busy gardeners, providing blooms and foliage year after year. Alan Titchmarsh, arguably the nation's favourite gardener, says that perennials are 'the backbone of any garden,' and he's picked out five that he believes 'will be good in any garden.' Perennials are best planted in spring – between the beginning of March and the end of May – allowing them to establish a healthy root system before the summer heat. But there's little time to waste, so here's Alan's list of garden must-haves. Scabious 'Pink Mist' Alan says Pink Mist is a 'lovely' summer flower. It's a compact, somewhat hairy, herbaceous plant that forms a mound of grey-green ferny foliage with eye-catching deep pink 'pincushion.' flowers It's a good choice for less active gardeners, he says. It thrives with sunshine combined with well-drained soil, and, given the right conditions, needs little further care: 'Whenever you're choosing a plant,' Alan says, 'find out what it likes best, give it that and it will grow in spite of you.' Pulmonaria "Twinkle Toes" Pulmonaria is a beautiful early spring plant, Alan says, providing interest in your garden throughout the summer. The flowers can change colour as they mature, so you'll often see pink and blue flowers together on the same plant. They will attract bees and other pollinators, so they're a great choice for vegetable patches. But it's not just about the flowers. Long after they've died off, Alan says that 'the leaves will then take over and be interesting themselves.' Ferns Ferns, specifically Dryopteris, are ideally adapted to difficult conditions, Alan says: 'If you have a spot where very little will grow and it's a bit rooty and only ivy seems to do well there do, try ferns." While they're not the most exciting or glamorous plant, they will provide interest and ground cover where few other plants will do well. 'Some ferns are very good for dry shade,' Alan says, 'and that's one of the most difficult parts of the garden to get things established.' He adds that the very name Dryopteris is a clue pointing towards how the fern will do in poorly-watered areas: 'This is going in a shady spot under some trees in my garden.' English Lavender Another plant that is particularly attractive to bees and other pollinators is lavender. It's also pleasing to humans too: 'No garden should be without it,' Alan says. Lavender, he adds, 'is another great plant to put in the veg garden where it will attract your pollinating insects but anywhere else in the garden in a really sunny spot it will make a lovely low border.' Geranium 'Wargrave Pink' Geraniums will do well in any moderately fertile soil, apart from waterlogged soils. They are happiest in full sun, but will endure shady conditions too. 'Plant this where you've got trouble getting anything else to grow,' Alan advises. 'It's good for soil which is inclined to dry out.' If you already have geraniums, early to mid-spring is the best time to propagate them with a few careful cuttings.
