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Most herbs originate in hot, dry climates and dislike our cold, wet winters. Growing them in pots is therefore perfect because they can be brought under cover for the winter. Serrated-leaved lavender is an attractive alternative to ordinary lavender and looks wonderful planted wi...

Surround your roses with strongly scented companion plants, such as lavender, thyme, rue and garlic chives, to help keep aphids at bay. While gardeners are attracted by their beauty, rose pests are deterred by the herbs' strong scents. March - April

Monty Don demonstrates how to plant up and age a stone container to create a formal garden display.springPlanting suggestions for a formal containerDark foliage display with scabiousClassic pelargonium and nemesia containerFormal dressing

of that fabulous scent: the philadelphus, or mock orange.There are a number of different varieties, all deciduous with white flowers and unremarkable foliage. In the first garden I had that actually possessed any soil (the first two were just concrete yards) I

Watch Monty Don as he creates a scented garden using a variety of lavender plants, with suggestions for encouraging bushy growth.summerMore advice on growing herbsMedicinal herbs by Jekka McVicarPicking herbsRaising new mint plantsPlanting herbs

.Most companion plants are strongly scented and confuse pests looking for their host plant. Others attract beneficial insects, such as ladybirds and lacewings, which prey on aphids.The garlic chive, Allium tuberosum, is a hardy perennial with white star

Lavender scent is known for its relaxing, calming qualities. This simple, rustic bath bag will scent your bath water and fragrance the room. Dried lavenderSquare of muslinStringScissorsall year15 minutesTake a handful of dried lavender and place

roots are then susceptible to secondary rots. Sometimes the foliage turns yellow and plants might even die. Tunnelling maggots feast on the carrot flesh, causing the outsides to be marked with brown rings. This is often followed by rotting. Sow carrots

Take lavender cuttingsThe wafting scent of lavender is a true fragrance of summer, but these plants can be sadly short-lived. So, to keep lavender lingering, why not raise new plants from cuttings? It's a simple technique that will provide you

The hardy winter-flowering varieties of pansy (Viola) are the best bet for winter and spring containers as they're rarely without blooms, even when other plants are shivering in the cold. The flowers look stunning set off against the golden foliage