Ask your home and garden experts.

Is lavender a perennial plant and can it be used a cut flower?

Lavender is a perennial--it is considered an evergreen aromatic shrub. Its natural habitat is dry, sunny and rocky areas but it seems to grow in home gardens very well. It adapts well to its environment. Depending on the variety of lavender it flowers mainly all summer and some will flower early spring and early fall as well. It is easy to spot since it has tall spiky purple flowers but is a low-lying shrub. Lavender is also frost tolerant.

There are three main groups: the Spica (English Lavender) group which produces the best oil; the Stoechas group, which has fatter flower spikes topped by petal-like bracts; and Pterostoechas group, whose flowers do not have the true lavender fragrance. Lavendula is part of the mint family which also includes herbs like sage and rosemary.

Brushing against the spikes releases the fragrance so it is great planted by walkways or benches, wherever it can be easily touched. It also makes a great container plant depending on the variety, since it is beautiful and provides great colour during the blooming season.

Occasionally, lavender can be purchased as a cut flower, usually sold in bunches, but it is definitely more popular as a plant. The scent of lavender is known to relieve stress and nausea. It is also a natural insect repellent. And, apparently you can use the flower buds in place of mothballs!

What is a root-bound pot?

A root-bound pot is a plant that has developed so many roots over time that it has displaced the soil in the pot. It is best to transplant it to a larger pot, but one that is not more than two inches wider. If the new pot is too much larger than the old one, the plant will spend more energy developing roots than its top growth of foliage.

It is always best to use new fresh potting soil when transplanting houseplants. Don't use soil from a garden as it may contain insects or a disease which can be passed on to the plant--plus to other plants you already have.

--The staff at McCormick Florist & Gift Shoppe in Paris is offering a special service to its readers in this question and answer column covering topics from gardening to weddings. Feel free to write, call or e-mail McCormick with your questions. The address is 26 Mechanic St., Paris, N3L 1J9; the phone number is 442-4552. Send e-mail to [e-mail]. Please include your phone number and address.