LAVENDER BANDERA PINK

Large soft pink flowers just keep on blooming and it is so easy to grow.    Use as an annual in the border and ideal for containers too.  9".

Lavender is a native of the Mediterranean but grows well in our cooler climate and has long been regarded as an essential English Country Garden flower, often used to edge a garden path where its beautiful scent can be enjoyed as you brush past it.

Easy to care for, fragrant, loved by bees and tolerant of poor, stony soils, there is little wonder that it has become such a firm favourite.

There are two main types of lavender grown in the UK today, French lavender which is less hardy and requires a warm, sunny position to thrive and English Lavender, which is more tolerant in cooler areas. Varieties of Lavender vary in height and colour, ranging from white and pink to lilac and midnight blue.

Lavenders are most often grown from cuttings rather than from seeds. The cuttings method is considerably quicker and has a high success rate. Growing lavender from seeds is a much slower process is immensely rewarding.

The best time to sow Lavender seed is early spring, when the soil temperatures are starting to rise. Although Lavender is a hardy perennial garden plant, the young Lavender seedlings are tender and will need care during the early weeks.

Sow in a small seed tray or small pots, under glass. Lavender plants settle more readily into their finally growing positions when the soil there is similar to the soil in which they have germinated.

Plant the seeds individually, about half and inch deep and cover lightly – do not pack the soil down. Germination typically takes 21 days at 70F

Once the seeds have been sown it is essential to keep the compost moist without over-wetting it. Lavender seeds germinate most successfully in a warm, damp, well-lit environment.

Once germinated, make sure that the seedlings get sufficient water, but do not let them stay damp. Lavender seedlings require a minimum of ten hours light daily, although fourteen to sixteen hours would be the optimum.

Once the little lavender seedlings have several sets of leaves they can be potted on or planted out, however they will grow slowly over the first year and be more established by the second year.

Lavender loves full sun.