Lavender, French - Lavandula stoechas
80 Seeds
Sow February - August
Hardy perennial.
Height 80cm (32in), spread 1m (3ft).
Prefers a light, well-drained soil in a sunny position.
Under cover sow the seeds into pots or trays on the surface of a good seed compost and then lightly cover with a sprinkling of compost or vermiculite. Place at a temperature of 21-25°C (70-75°F) until seeds germinate which usually takes 14-21 days.
Transplant seedlings when large enough to handle into pots or trays. Gradually acclimatise plants to cooler conditions for a few weeks before planting out 23cm (9") apart. Overwinter late summer sowings in a cold frame and plant out the following spring.
This bushy, branching shrub has mature stems that become dense and woody. The smooth edged silver-grey leaves are opposite, narrow, somewhat hairy and up to 2 inches long (depending on variety). The freely-produced fragrant flowerheads are densely cylindrical, tapering to a blunt tip, crowned by 4 sterile bracts 2.5cm long, give the heads a distinctive appearance. Flowers are very dark purple, calyces rather paler and greyer. Flowers for a long season over spring and summer.
Lavender - French
From the family Lamiaceae.
Long before the world manufactured deodorants and bath salts, the Romans used Lavender in their bath water. The name comes from the Latin verb 'lavare' meaning 'to wash'. Lavender has long been used medicinally, when in Tudor times people noted its fragrance and a peculiar power to ease stiff joints and relieve tiredness.