plant of the moment

LAVENDER This plant will add a touch of the cottage garden to your urban jungle - and save water, too

Your water authority will love you if you plant lavender, because it is another of those Mediterranean plants that shrugs off drought, and it comes highly recommended by those who would like to see gardeners pave their lawns and bin their sprinklers. But it has other points on its side. It is one of the trendiest plants of the moment, favoured by avant-gardeners everywhere because it has that highly desirable traditional- cottage-garden look. Munstead (blue-purple flowers) and Hidcote (dark purple flowers and silvery leaves) are among the poshest varieties (leave the labels on). Pink and white types also exist.

Hester Lacey