Lavandula latifolia

SPIKE LAVENDER

Lavandula latifolia
SPIKE LAVENDER

Lavandula latifolia is the iconic Lavender seen growing across fields in the hills of Provence.
It is native to the hot, dry hills of southern France, Spain and Portugal. So no surprise that it is extremely dry and heat hardy.

Spike Lavender bears long purple-lilac spikes against fine grey foliage.
And because Spike Lavender is longer blooming than many other types, it is well worth having in the flower garden as well as the herb garden.

Lavandula latifolia has a very high concentration of essential oils in flowers, foliage and stems, giving it a superb scent.
The fragrance is a little more on the herbal camphorated side rather, than the sweet English Lavender scent.
It definitely thrives when grown lean and mean. So don’t over-water or over-fertilize.
Spike Lavender loves sun baking (and this again intensifies the essential oils and fragrance), and it loves the wind through it’s leaves.

Lavandula latifolia is grown commercially today for the production of essential oil, which is prized for antiseptic properties as well as lovely fragrance. It was once also treasured as a remedy for snake bite, but we wont advocate that.

Perfect for essential oil production, garden, cut flowers, cooking & drying for potpourri and insect repelling sachet.

Plant in an exposed position in Full Sun.
Lavandula latifolia is hardy in hot, dry & frost, though it is more frost sensitive than many other Lavenders, so will need some frost shelter if your frosts go much below -5°C.

This is a very water-wise Lavender, well suited to gardeners with limited water, because it is so drought tolerant.
And it prefers sandy rocky or gravel soils.
It can grow in acid soils, but it really comes into it’s own with a good dose of lime.

Shrubby bush 75cm. High x 75cm. Wide.

SEED SOWING ADVICE:

Sow winter to late spring or sow in late summer to autumn.

Indoors: Sow in punnets on the surface of a well-drained, seed raising mix.

First – gently rub seeds briefly between sheets of fine sandpaper to allow moisture to more easily penetrate the hard seed surface.

Then sow seed on the surface of good quality seed raising mix. Press gently. Barely cover with mix as the seeds need light to germinate.

Keep punnet moist in warm, well-lit place.
Temperatures of 18- 20°C approx. are optimum for fast germination.

Seedlings emerge in 21-30 days.

If the seeds are shy to break dormancy  – then cling-wrap punnet and place in the fridge (not freezer) for 3 weeks.
Then remove from fridge, unwrap punnet & return to warm, well-lit place. Keep moist.

Seed Count: 70 seeds per pack approx.
(We always aim to exceed the stated seed count, and give a generous serve).

Click here for Nursery Open Days & Open Gardens Information
https://www.gardivalia.com.au/open-gardens

Click here to go back to Seeds Shop
https://www.seedscape.net.au/shop/