Thompson & Morgan Kew 'Lavender' seeds

From the range developed with the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, 'Munstead' is a well-respected, classic English Lavender, producing a profusion of dark purple flower spikes in late summer. The nectar-rich blooms are constantly busy with pollinating insects, so spare a few to cut and dry for fragrance that lasts well beyond the growing season. Its bushy, aromatic foliage makes it an excellent choice for a low hedge beside a path, or for adding scent to a sunny border.

Sow from February to July on the surface of moist seed compost, covering lightly with a sprinkling of vermiculite or finely sieved compost. Place in a propagator at 21-25°C, or seal inside a clear polythene bag, keeping the compost damp but not wet — germination can take up to 21 days, and light helps the process, so don't exclude it. Once seedlings are large enough to handle, pot on into small pots and grow on in cooler conditions, acclimatising to outdoor conditions over 7-10 days once frosts have passed. Plant in any light, well-drained soil in full sun — lavender dislikes wet ground, particularly over winter, so improve heavy soil with coarse grit or sharp sand before planting. Reaching around 45cm in height with a spread of up to 60cm, it's reasonably drought-tolerant once established; prune back hard immediately after flowering to keep plants compact and well-shaped.

Each pack is hand-selected before dispatch to ensure the best possible germination results.