The Horticultural Trades Association (HTA) has announced lavender as its chosen Plant of the Month for April.
Described as "a great value garden plant" which can be enjoyed year-round, one of its best - and most topical - features is that, once established, it is drought-tolerant. Lavender can be grown on its own or as a companion plant with roses or other summer-flowering bulbs and herbaceous perennials such as Echinacea, helianthus, phlox, monarda and rudbeckia.

The HTA's David Gilchrist said: "Lavender can add real value to a garden in many ways with its shades of blue flowers and silver-leved backdrop, its scent and the fact that it attracts all sorts of insects and butterflies.

"Hidcote and mudstead are two of the hardiest and commonly planted cultivars of lavender. To successfully grow lavender, it needs to be planted in a warm, well-drained soil with full sun. "

The HTA's plant of the month campaign involves nominations from British growers and retailers to highlight the plants that are widely available and looking especially good in garden centres each month.

Point of Sale materials for the campaign can be ordered through HTA partners Hortipak and Floramedia.