Thompson & Morgan Lavender Bandera Purple

It’s now really easy and cost effective to grow your own exotic French Lavender from seed. What’s even better, fragrant ‘Bandera’ is compact, staying at just 20-30cm (10-12in) tall, so would look attractive in terracotta pots, or as a low hedge.

How to sow

Sow seeds on the surface of a good, free-draining, damp, seed compost and cover with a fine sprinkling of compost or vermiculite. Place container inside a polythene bag or propagator at 21-25C (70-75F). Germination takes 14-21 days. Do not exclude light, as this helps germination.

How to grow

Transplant seedlings when large enough to handle into trays or 7.5cm (3in) pots. Gradually acclimatise plants to cooler conditions for a few weeks before planting out after all risk of frost, 23cm (9in) apart. Overwinter late summer sowings in a coldframe and plant out the following spring.

Aftercare information

Lavender oil produced from the plants may be poisonous and should not be consumed.

Additional information

• Flowering period: Mid to Late Summer
• Pack contents (approx.): 12 seeds