Lavandula × intermedia 'Grosso'
lavender
- Position: full sun
- Soil: moderately fertile, well-drained soil
- Rate of growth: vigorous
- Flowering period: July to August
- Hardiness: fully hardy
This vigorous English lavender produces masses of long, slender stems, that are topped with clusters of vivid violet flowers between July and August, above mounds grey-green leaves. It makes a gorgeous, flowering, informal hedge, especially along a path, where its fabulous fragrance can best be appreciated. It works well in a Mediterranean garden, or clipped into a formal sphere for a contemporary look. The highly scented flower-spikes are also a magnet for bees and other nectar-loving insects. - Garden care: Cut back the stalks after the flowers have faded to retain a compact shape. Carefully trim back in April, taking care not to cut into old wood.
Stachys byzantina 'Big Ears'
lamb's ears
Purple flowers large Grey-green leaves
£8.99
2 litre pot
within 2-3 days excludes weekends
Salvia × sylvestris 'Mainacht'
sage (syn. Salvia May Night)
Large indigo-blue flowers
£7.99
2 litre pot
within 2-3 days excludes weekends
Echinops ritro 'Veitch's Blue'
globe thistle
Good for repeat flowering
£7.99
2 litre pot
within 2-3 days excludes weekends
Perovskia 'Blue Spire'
Russian sage
Violet-blue flowers and silvery foliage. Great planted en masse
£9.99
1.5 litre pot
within 2-3 days excludes weekends
April pruning of trees, shrubs and
climbers
Many shrubs, trees and climbers are showing signs of growth and so it is an ideal time to check them over for winter damage. If you feel they need a little care and attention, here are a few notes to...
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Grown across Provence, a billowing mound of dark-blue tapering flowers, held on long stems, splaying outwards in late summer and autumn above a close mound of foliage that can be shaped for winter interest.
Val Bourne - Garden Writer