Lavender is surprisingly easy to grow and well known for their lovely fragrance. The Dwarf English, also known as munstead, variety is a compact plant that will flower in their first year if seeds are sowed early. Dwarf English lavender is great for hedgings, flower beds or containers. Plant them near walkways and enjoy their fragrance. Cut and dry the flowers, leaves and stems for homemade potpourri. Munstead lavender makes a great perennial pot plant.

Botanical name: Lavandula

Height: 19-23 in / 50-60 cm

Spacing: 18-24 in / 45-60 cm

Bloom time: Spring to Summer.

Foliage: Narrow leaves of silvery green colour and smooth texture.

Soil: Well drained soil.

Sun: Prefers full sun. Lavender can still grow well in part shade.

Water: Lavender is quite drought tolerant. Once established, water when the top inch or two of soil is dry.

When to plant: Autumn to early Winter.

How to plant: From seeds: Sow seeds thinly into a seed tray or directly into flowering position. Cover the small seed with seed raising potting mix or normal potting mix so the seeds are about 0.2 in / 5 mm deep. Keep moist and warm. I would grow the seedlings indoors or in a greenhouse where the temperature is more constant, but make sure you put the seedlings in bright indirect light. When the seedlings have 2-4 leaves, thin out to other seed trays. In about 1-3 months (mid-Spring), the seedling should have filled the seed tray (check the bottom for roots) and have enough top growth to harden off and move them outside. From cutting: Take cuttings in early summer when growth is vigorous. Choose a healthy, fresh shoot about 2.5-3 in / 6-8 cm long and cut just below a set of leaves (node). Strip the leaves off the bottom 1 in / 2.5 cm of the shoot and dip in rooting hormone. Insert cuttings into potting mix and water in well. Keep moist but not wet and store in bright indirect light. The cuttings take about 4-8 weeks to root, after which you can harden them off and move them outside.

Suggested soil: 2/3 potting mix, 1/3 perlite or coarse sand.

Fertilising: Fertilise before flowering with a complete fertiliser or with potash for more flowers.

Seed collecting: Wait until the flower is well and truly dead and the seed pods are brown/black in colour. When the pods crack open, cut the flower stalk and gently shake upside down over a piece of white paper to release the seeds.

Pests & Diseases: Crown rot from too much water. Fungus.

Tips:

• Dwarf English lavender will grow to about 40cm high in 2-3 years.
• Prune either immediately after the end of flowering or before flowering. The latter pruning method stimulates growth and you’ll end up with more flowers.
• If you deadhead the lavender, you may get it to bloom twice in one year.