Their fragrance and range of flower colours, from lilac to deep purple, pink and blue, make lavender irresistible to most gardeners, while many pesky insects, including aphids, are repelled by the aromatic perfume that characterises these plants. This insect-repelling ability means that lavender is a perfect companion for ‘juicier’ plants, such as vegetables, herbs and roses. The sheer number of lavender species and hybrids is quite astounding (even the experts sometimes have trouble with the nomenclature and origins of some of them) and every year new varieties are introduced.