FREE: Spanish Lavender - 20 seeds

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The fragrant, twisting silvery leaves of Spanish lavender make it a popular choice among herb gardeners, and it doesn't hurt that caring for the beautiful plant is relatively easy. Spanish lavender is less hardy than English varieties; grow it in containers to enjoy it year-round, bringing it indoors to overwinter. Its dark purple flowers and heady scent make it an excellent choice for drying. Spanish lavender herb sachets make drawers of lingerie fragrant; lavender potpourri brings a calming scent to a bedroom.
LAVENDER CARE

Plant lavender in full sun and well-drained soil (add organic matter to improve heavy soils).

Water plants deeply but infrequently, when the soil is almost dry.

Prune in early spring or at harvest time. For low-growing varieties, trim back foliage 1 to 2 inches. Starting in a plant's second year, all 3- to 4-foot lavenders should be cut back by about a third to keep the plant from getting overly woody. If a plant becomes woody and open in the center, remove a few of the oldest branches; take out more when new growth starts. If this doesn't work, it's time to dig out the plant and replace it. (Some commercial growers replace plants after 10 to 12 years.)

Harvest for sachets and potpourri by cutting flower spikes or stripping flowers from stems just as blossoms show color; dry in a cool, shaded place.