Kick-start spring with lavender

FRESH: TONIC TO CHASE AWAY WINTER BLUES

- Alice Spenser-Higgs

Lots of fragrant, spring flowering Stoechas lavender are hard to resist. They are just the tonic for end of winter blues, bringing fresh fragrance and energy into the home. Just rubbing the leaves and flowers with your fingers releases its warm, soothing fragrance.

There are many ways to decorate with potted lavender. For a rustic look, put your lavender in wicker baskets. In metal or ceramic containers, lavender shows off its elegance and in terracotta returns to its earthy, Mediterranean roots.

When decorating your home with lavender, the secret is to make sure plants receive plenty of bright light or filtered sun and are not over-watered. Cutting out the dead flowers encourages them to flower more and for longer.