Gardening with lavender can be a rewarding experience. Its beautiful color, heady fragrance and medicinal properties make it a great addition to any garden. To get the best out of your lavender plants, adequate care is key. Start by amending soil prior to planting so that it's highly draining — adding coarse sand will help ensure water drains away from roots quickly. Regularly feed your plants with nitrogen-rich fertilizer every four weeks during warmer months for optimal growth and flowering. When harvesting dried flowers, do so selectively as this will encourage more blooms as old blossoms fade away naturally. A little bit of love goes a long way when looking after these fragrant flowering shrubs!