Heady
scent! Plants have lovely, grayish foliage and are very attractive in
the garden, whether or not in bloom. Flowers are a necessity for
homegrown perfumes, scented oils, potpourri , sachets and lavender
wands. Fine in containers. Perennial and evergreen except in very cold
areas. Prefers well drained, sunny positions
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.
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.
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.
