Summer is fast approaching, meaning more and more of us will be spending time outside tending to our . And there's nothing better for adding some colour and life to your outdoor space than a plant.

These pretty purple , which bees love, are one of the most popular plants around. They're best planted in late spring or early summer, so you've still got a couple of weeks to get this done. And if you want them to grow tall and wide without too much effort, there's one place in the experts say you should put them.

The green-fingered pros at House Digest have lifted the lid on how to grow the best lavender plants. And they say that placement is everything if you want lavender that thrives year after year.

There are a few different ways that you can plant lavender, and it all depends on your garden and how much space you have. However, if you want lavender that's four feet tall with 'minimal maintenance', then the experts recommend planting it directly into the ground, instead of placing it in pots or containers. Although they're fairly easy to care for, there are a few key tips that you must remember when planting lavender.

According to the experts, growing lavender from the soil involves 'minimal maintenance' - but only in the right conditions. For example, the soil needs to be well-draining, with that spot in the garden receiving at least six hours of sunlight in a day.

Planting your lavender in this healthy soil means it'll turn into a 'showstopper' and there's no risk of it outgrowing its container. They also need less watering in this way.

And in the winter, they need less protection too, because the ground usually stays warm enough below the root line to help lavender survive in the ground.

According to the Royal Horticultural Society, newly planted lavender should be watered regularly during its first summmer.

After that, once it's well established, lavender is drought tolerant so rarely needs watering when grown in the ground unless there are severe drought conditions.

They won't need feeding too often, but pruning during late summer and early autumn - and deadheading old buds - can encourage more flowers to grow.