Common lavender. Lavender Spica is widely cultivated for its aromatic foliage and fragrant flower heads.
Sow anytime in the greenhouse , just covering the seeds.
Alternatively
sow as above for 2 weeks ,then refrigerate sown seeds inside plastic
bag for 4 weeks then return to the warm/heat 15-18°C (60-65°F).
If germination does not occur within 8 weeks return to the fridge etc…
Germination for lavender seeds is very slow so I would recommend using the refrigerator method described above .
ALWAYS examine them regularly whilst in the fridge and remove immediately the seeds show signs of germinating.
Growing On
Transplant seedlings when large enough to handle into 7.5cm (3in) pots.
Grow
lavender on in a greenhouse or coldframe for the 1st winter and plant
out the following spring 30cm (12in) apart in full sun.
TIPS
Lavenders
like well drained soils - growing best in a sunny position, and
certainly do not like to be waterlogged in the winter. Raised beds,
stony ground, dry banks etc are all great places for growing Lavenders
(Lavandula) as are flower and shrub bed areas.
Allow them room to
grow. Lavender can spread to around 60cms (2ft) across. They can be
pruned back at certain times of the year, but as a general rule, all
that Lavenders need is a hefty trim after flowering. In Summer, trim
all the flowers off and remove some of the very tops of the shoots.
This will ensure a good compact bushy lavender plants growing the
following year.
