Lavandula pedunculata subsp. pedunculata
French lavender (syn. Papillon)
- Position: full sun
- Soil: moderately fertile, well-drained soil
- Rate of growth: average
- Flowering period: June and July
- Hardiness: borderline hardy (may need winter protection)
From fat round flowerheads, delicate, upright petals emerge like butterfly wings and flutter in the breeze among grey-green, aromatic leaves. This French lavender has pale mauve flowers and looks wonderful planted en masse in a protected, sunny border where its heady fragrance can be enjoyed. Like most French lavenders, it is earlier flowering than its English cousins, but associates well with them if you want to prolong the season of lavender in your garden. The flower-spikes are also a magnet for bees and other nectar-loving insects.
As it's borderline hardy it is best grown in a container in colder areas of the country and should be over-wintered in a cool greenhouse or conservatory. - 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.
Lavandula angustifolia Melissa Lilac ('Dow4') (PBR)
lavender
Large, lilac flowers in summer
£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
Cirsium rivulare 'Atropurpureum'
brook thistle
Deep crimson thistle-like flowers
£8.99
2 litre pot
within 2-3 days excludes weekends
Artemisia 'Powis Castle'
wormwood
Silvery, aromatic foliage
£8.99
2 litre pot
within 2-3 days excludes weekends
Euphorbia griffithii 'Fireglow'
spurge
Deep orange flowers. Perfect in a border of hot colours
£9.99
2 litre pot
within 2 weeks
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
Thalictrum delavayi
meadow rue
Mauve-blue flowers purple stems
£7.99
2 litre pot
available to order from summer 2013
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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The purple ears of this slender upright lavender are the longest of all and they constantly move and flow in the slightest breeze - jauntily announcing summer
Val Bourne - Garden Writer