Someone, can't remember who - recently showed a picture of lavender growing under a climbing red rose. It looked stunning. Granted not in a container but the combination of the lavender and deep red was lovely.

I take it you were thinking of growing it with a shrub? What about having the lavender as a standard and trailing something undernearth - or have you already bought the lavender.

Need to be a big pot for sambucus and lavender! To keep sambucus as a shrub under 3 ft will be quite a fight and you'll hardly see it perform as it should. Who was that grower?! It makes a beautiful small tree, and exceptionally pretty in flower, just at the moment. I would use the lavender as the central item and surround it with one of the more spreading blue geraniums, (perhaps G. 'Rise and Shine'), Salvia 'Blue Note', or parahebe catarractae

Just looked up Rise and Shine - added to wish list!

Well, thanks everyone.
Angie, yes I have already bought the lavender but you've given me an idea, as I have a deep red climbing rose and maybe the pot with the lavender can go underneath. I like the idea of a standard lavender tho'.
Worthy, was in 2 minds about the sambucus so will implement Plan B there. I will google Rise and Shine and the others; am very fond of hardy gs so will probably go with that. Will let you know how it turns out.

My Sambucus black lace is already 3 ft tall and this is its second year. They get tall - 8ft by year 3-4.

Found the blog....here it is

http://www.growsonyou.com/digginfit/blog/23966-lucky-lucky-lucky

Thanks for the info, Kildermorie.
Angie, will check out the blog.

I find all Lavenders do better in the ground as pots get too dry and then too cold in winter. I think Rose Campion looks good with Lavender - silverish stems and pink flowers.

That sounds lovely, Kildermorie.