Cotton lavender

This neat, dwarf, clump-forming shrub is ideal for smaller gardens or as a low-growing hedge. It has deeply-toothed, slightly woolly, aromatic silver leaves on white felted branches which are soft to the touch. Do not prune the shrub until after July, as its bright lemon-yellow pompon flowers add a wonderful splash of colour through the latter summer months. Once the plant has flowered, don't be afraid to cut it back fairly hard to keep it in good shape. It's not a particularly demanding plant but, as with all plants of Mediterranean origin, it needs a sunny position in well drained soil.