Sunflower – 500 Seeds – Large Yellow Flowers – Annual – Beds & Cut Flowers

Main Features: Botanical Name: Lavandula angustifolia (English Lavender) Type: Perennial, aromatic plant (subshrub) Number of Seeds: 1300 Sowing Time: February to April (under cover) or April to June (outdoors) Flowering: June to August (in the 2nd year after sowing) Height: 30–80 cm depending on variety Flower Color: Purple, blue, sometimes pink or white depending on variety Foliage: Evergreen, gray-green, very aromatic Location: Full sun Hardiness: Very winter-hardy, withstands down to –15°C (–20°C for some varieties) Description: Lavender is an emblematic plant of Mediterranean gardens, prized for its evergreen, gray-green foliage, its fragrant flower spikes, and its great drought tolerance. Its mauve flowers, rich in nectar, attract bees and butterflies throughout the summer. Easy to grow, it finds its place in beds, borders, rock gardens, or in pots on a sunny terrace. Its dried flowers are ideal for perfuming the home and making sachets. Plant Characteristics: Foliage: Evergreen, linear, gray-green, very aromatic when crushed Flower: Terminal spikes of small mauve flowers, very bee-friendly Scent: Intense, fresh, characteristic of lavender Growth: Bushy, rounded Uses: Ornamental: Beds, borders, rock gardens, low hedges, pots, and window boxes Bee Pasture: Very popular with bees, bumblebees, and butterflies Scent: Dried flowers for sachets, dried bouquets, potpourris Medicinal: Calming, relaxing, and antiseptic properties Culinary: Flowers used in baking (infusions, creams, cookies) Sowing and Cultivation: Sowing: Time: Pre-cultivation under cover: February to April, in trays or pots. Direct sowing outdoors: April to June, directly in place. Preparation: Lavender seeds require a cold treatment (stratification) for better germination. Place seeds in the refrigerator (4–5°C) for 3 to 4 weeks before sowing. Depth: Sow seeds on the surface, press lightly. Seeds need light to germinate. Do not cover with soil. Germination Temperature: 18–22°C Germination Time: 14 to 30 days (sometimes longer) Transplanting: When seedlings have 4–5 leaves, transplant into individual pots. Plant outdoors the following spring or in autumn. Planting Spacing: Outdoors: Plant 40–60 cm apart (depending on variety). Row spacing 50–70 cm. In pots: Choose a pot with at least 30 cm diameter with good drainage. Cultivation and Care: Soil: Light, dry, poor, well-drained. Lavender does not tolerate waterlogging. Calcareous soils are ideal. Location: Full sun. Lavender needs warmth and sun to bloom well. Watering: Moderate. Once established, lavender is very drought-tolerant. Water only during prolonged dry periods. Fertilization: Low requirements. Avoid excessive nitrogen, which promotes leaf growth at the expense of flowers. Pruning: Prune after flowering (August-September) to maintain a compact shape and encourage branching. Do not cut into old wood (woody parts). Diseases: Avoid waterlogging, which can cause root rot. Ensure good drainage. Harvest: For fresh flowers: Time: Harvest the spikes when the first flowers begin to open (usually June-July). Cut in the morning after the dew. For dried flowers: Time: Harvest when the flowers are fully open, before the spikes turn brown. Drying: Make small bunches, tie with a string, and hang upside down in a dry, dark, well-ventilated place for 2–3 weeks. Storage: Store dried flowers in airtight jars or use them for sachets. Tips: Lavender often takes 2 years to reach its full flowering. In the first year, the plant focuses on leaf growth. Lavender seeds germinate slowly and irregularly. Patience is required. For faster cultivation, purchasing potted plants is preferable. Lavender is ideal as edging in the vegetable garden to attract pollinators. Combine lavender with Mediterranean plants like rosemary, thyme, or cistus. Packaging: 1300 seeds.