It's Lamium maculatum, commonly known as deadnettle (it doesn't sting). It is quite invasive, and very good ground cover, useful in shade. You might want to dig out any areas of it you don't want before they get any worse!

Friend AND foe. As Bamboo says it is useful for areas that won't grow much else but, otherwise, it needs strict control.

Clear it all out except in odd corners where you need ground cover, cut the Lavender back to about 6inches. Fork through the beds and when you find plants leave them to see what they grow into. The garden would have been planned although now neglected. Tip out the urn and start again with fresh compost.

yes, agreed BA! I spent two whole days uprooting this from a border last year! Lovely evergreen ground cover though, and pretty flowers in late spring/early summer.

Welcome to GoY Steph! If you visit some of your local parks and gardens you might get some inspiration and ideas for what to grow. I always think it's a good idea to have a good nosey at what your gardening neighbours are growing!

Hope you really enjoy your garden for years to come! :))

Dont be afraid to cut anything back that is getting out of control is my mantra!! it is a learning curve lol .

Mind how you prune the lavender though if you go back to the hard wood you can end up losing it ! or ending up with an unsightly bush! they are easy to grow from seed if you wanted to have a go.

I havent had any experience with lamium ! but I seem to spend more time pulling and chopping things back that I have no idea where they came from! I sometimes wish I had cleared the garden of everything when I moved in and started afresh.

thank you everyone... hubby & I will get onto this during the week... hopefully we can the garden looking nice by the time summer arrives!

Exciting days ahead...developing your garden into a pleasing space for yourselves. You've had good advice from other GoY members so I'll not add anything except to say....welcome to GoY...hope you enjoy the site as much as I do. :)