A stunning first year flowering Lavender with large, attractive, fragrant, sky-blue spikes on strong stems, reaching out from bushy well branched plants. A long lasting addition to borders or containers, attracting bees and butterflies to your garden.

Height: 30-35cm (12-14in).

Sowing time: January to April or June to September.

Prechill seed for 3 weeks.

Sow in pots or trays of moist seed compost and cover with a very fine sprinkling of compost or vermiculite. Place container in a propagator or seal inside a polythene bag and keep at a temperature of between 15-18C (60-65F). After sowing, do not exclude light as this helps germination. Keep the surface of the compost moist but not waterlogged; germination can take 1-4 months. When large enough to handle, transplant seedlings into 7.5cm (3in) pots or trays.

Plant out once plants are well grown, 30cm (12in) apart. For best results, provide a fertile, well-drained soil in full sun.

Plants will prove reliably hardy if wet winter conditions are avoided. Over- winter September sowings in a cold frame and plant out the following spring.