WHAT’S the one plant that’s absolutely thriving in this heatwave? Lavender.
Everywhere you look, there are purple blooms bursting forth and bouncing in the breeze. And there’s a reason for that.
People flock from around the globe to take Insta-friendly snaps against the backdrops of Lavender fields Credit: Olivia West
Lavender is drought tolerant and enjoys dry, sunny conditions — plus it’s happy in poor soil Credit: Olivia West
The plant is drought tolerant and enjoys dry, sunny conditions — plus it’s happy in poor soil and the bees adore it.
You can buy it quite cheaply. Lidl has six plugs for £4.99 — making them 83p per plant.
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So it’s one to consider for your outside space as the climate changes.
It was National Lavender Day earlier this month, so to celebrate, I went to Mayfield Lavender Farm in Banstead, Surrey.
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The owner, Lorna Maye, says: “The Romans introduced lavender to the country. They used it in battle to keep insects away and treat themselves.
“In Tudor times, people wore it as bracelets and threw sprigs on the floor to keep away the Black Death.
“While in Victorian times, they bathed in lavender. There is just so much you can do with the oil.
“It’s a sleep aid, a moth repellent and you can treat burns, cuts and grazes with it. You can dab it on your temples to help cure headaches, dilute a couple of drops on a flannel for sunburn.
“It can also soothe nettle stings. You can cook with it. Many cultures even believe it represents purity, romance and innocence.”
Mayfield opens its 12-hectare fields to the public from June until late August as the lavender peaks.
People flock from around the globe to take Insta-friendly snaps against Mayfield’s stunning purple backdrop.
The fields have even been recommended on Chinese social media platform Weibo. Lorna reveals: “I have three golden rules for lavender: Plant in a sunny position, ideally south facing, but it doesn’t need full sun.
“It’s best in well-drained soil — we have chalk and it works really well.
“And when it’s ready to go, give it another couple of weeks for the bees, then cut it back hard at the end of summer.”
If you have really woody English lavender, you can cut it right back, Lorna advises.
She continues: “The harder you cut it back in the autumn, the more it will reward you with shoots in the spring.
“If it’s a hybrid, you can’t do that. Prune it back to two fingers above the wood and it should come back. It’s very resilient.”
Also in Veronica’s Column this week….
Top tips, gardening news, Plant of the Week and a Garda hot tub competition
For more gardening content, follow me @biros_and_bloom
WIN! WE have an amazing prize this week – a Wave “Garda” hot tub worth £1,199.99 – thanks to Robert Dyas.
To be in with a chance of winning, visit thesun.co.uk/TheGarda – or write to Jattvibe Garda Hot Tub Competition, PO Box 3190, Colchester, Essex, CO2 8GP. Include your name, age, email or phone.
UK residents 18+ only. Entries close 11.59pm, August 1, 2026. T&Cs apply.
THIS WEEK’S JOB! DEADHEAD flowers and water deeply. Sow salad leaves, spinach, carrots and radishes.
Trim hedges, mow weekly and check plants for pests such as aphids.
PURPLE FIELD TRIPS: MAYFIELD isn’t the only lavender field open now.
There’s the UK’s largest, the 1,100-acre Castle Farm near Sevenoaks in Kent.
At Cotswold Lavender near Broadway, Worcs, visitors can enjoy hillside views. Or pick custom bouquets at Hitchin Lavender, Herts.
Yorkshire Lavender and Welsh Lavender in Powys are beautiful, too.
There’s Norfolk Lavender in King’s Lynn and Somerset Lavender Farm near Bath.
Lordington Lavender in Chichester has its last open days this weekend.
Wolds Way Lavender near Malton in Yorkshire grows in raised beds, which means it’s accessible for everyone.
Tarhill lavender farm near Loch Leven is the biggest in Scotland.Carshalton Lavender in Surrey traditionally opens in late July.
PLANT OF THE WEEK! SENECIO “Angel Wings” is a gorgeous evergreen with silver, soft, velvety leaves.
Low maintenance, drought resistant and great in borders. Get 20 per cent off at thompson-Morgan.com/sunoffers. T&Cs apply.
CREATE OWN OIL: YOU can make lavender oil yourself by harvesting fresh buds from the plants and letting them dry completely to prevent mould.
Place the dried buds into a clean glass jar.
Pour a neutral carrier oil, like jojoba or sweet almond, over the lavender until fully submerged.
Seal the jar tightly and place it by a warm, sunny window.
Shake the jar daily for two to four weeks.
Finally, strain out the lavender using muslin and store your fragrant oil in a dark bottle.
