~ LAVENDER SECTION ~
Woody perennial plants of the family Lamiaceae.   Lavenders are among the most delightful of the woody perennials.  They speak to the higher spirit.  We offer only heirloom, open-pollinated varieties that produce the highest quality of essential oils.  Do not be fooled by fancy hybridized varieties that are clones, make sterile seed and produce inferior essential oil!
General cultivation: Extra care.  A 2-week period of moist, cold conditioning prior to sowing in a warm place will improve germination.  Sow in flats and keep in partial shade, or sow dry seed in the fall or early spring in outdoor nursery beds.  Naturally low germ. rates—expect anywhere from 5 to 30 plants from a 100-seed packet, sometimes more.  Transplant to pots or out to the garden after the slow-growing seedlings produce 4 or 5 leaves. Lavender prefers a moderate supply of nutrients, lime and a well-drained soil. Mulch with sand.  It is a true zerophyte (drought-tolerant plant) and can be grown in rocky ground, shallow soils or in the city next to hot concrete.  However requires consistent watering to get established. After flowering, cut back to 1 inch above the old growth. Usually flowers twice in a season. In northerly areas, protect the roots with a deep organic mulch in the autumn.

Lavender, Broadleaf................Lavandula latifolia   Syn. L. spica
(Spike Lavender)
Native to the mountains of France and Spain.  The leaves are spatula-shaped, and the flowering stalks are much-branched.  Yields copious quantities of essential oil.   Plant 1 to 2 feet apart.  Not very cold tolerant.  Flowers violet-blue to 14 inches tall.

Lavender, Czech.....................Lavandula angustifolia krajova
(Country Lavender)
Beautiful blue-flowered cultivar from Northern Europe.  High essential oil content, long-lived.  Very cold tolerant  Flowers 3 to 4 feet high.

Lavender, English.....................Lavandula angustifolia vera  Syn. L. officinalis, L. vera
Native to Southern Europe, largely cultivated in England and worldwide. Graceful.  Space plants 3 to 4 feet apart.  Flowers lavender, from 2 to 3 feet tall.

Lavender, French Premiere........Lavandula stoechas
(“Spanish Lavender”)
The densely-packed, short spikes are tufted with purple, petal-like bracts.  They look to me like tiny sails set to the wind.  High germination rate is unusual for a Lavender and typical of this seed. Space 1-2 feet apart.  Flowers dark purple, to 2 feet.

Lavender, Hidcote.......Lavandula angustifolia var. hidcote
Dwarf variety of English Lavender, with gray-green foliage and deep blue flowers.  Northern hardy.  Much in demand by those who plant moon gardens.

Lavender, Munstead....Lavandula angustifolia var. munstead
This is a Northern-hardy dwarf strain of English Lavender that bears thick racemes of blue flowers.  The plant is preferred by landscapers because of its compact form, cold-hardiness and great longevity.


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