Pac— ahhhh, I see you know them well. It is a real beauty. You have such a good selection of plants, don’t you.
Here is an update on the lavender seedlings. I separated and potted the first group into individual cells, in actual potting mix. The front four are "Bandera Deep Rose", a very compact, modern variety. The back four are "Vicenza Blue", probably not as small, but not huge either. There are more Vicenca Blue from this batch to separate and pot. Then in a few weeks, the second batch.
I like updates. Aren’t those chappies looking smart. I have to admit that I have had dismal success with the propagation of lavender. To be fair, Lavender is not the perfect plant for our climes here in West-Friesland. It is perhaps a bit too cool and so very moist. I have grown some in my garden, but they did not live many years. I have noticed that other gardens on our terrein can grow Lavender and it flourishes for them. The difference is that their plots are a tad sandy and of poorer quality. Ach well. I can admire from a distance. So mate…..respect.
Today I potted the individual lavender seedlings into individual cells of 2-inch cell 8-packs. These are the varieties Bandera Deep Rose, Bandera Purple, and Blue Spear. These seeds were sold as compact varieties that bloom the first year. I started them early, for a head-start. When Spring comes, I'll plant them in groups of several of each color, and maybe set a few aside for containers. So far, they are MUCH easier than some websites and youtubers state. Maybe it's the seed quality? These seeds were from Swallowtail nursery.
@Sjoerd, that's too bad about lavender not growing there. Are there other plants with scented leaves that do well?
Daniel— That next step with the Lavender looks splendid. I can’t wait to see them planted and blooming. There are indeed plants that will grow in my garden whose leaves are fragrant. Mints, lemon verbena and Rosemary to name a few.
Sjoerd - those sound great! Rosemary is another favorite for me too. I like walking around the garden, cutting off pieces of plants and smelling them. Basil is another one I like a lot. Working with these lavender seedlings, I noticed how strong they smell. That's a good promise for next year.
Daniel: when I was a child my grandmother would make sachets of lavender cuttings and place them in various clothing drawers. I used to prune a lady’s lavender up the way and I could keep the bits to use when I would smoke my bees. Have I told you this already!? If so…I apologise. Any way you look at it, it s a wonderful plant.
Hope I’m not just jumping in.. after reading all the posts above made me think of another great fragrant plant. So many great plants have been listed by Sjoerd and Daniel and lovely lavenders seed starts . Fragrance conversations sent me to one of my very favorite plants for fragrance which is cimicifuga's . They are not grey leaf color however , the tall spike candle like flowers can literally light up the entire garden with a very sweet mild fragrance. There are several different varieties. So enticing for part shade perennial beds. Unfortunately I lost mine to ground squirrels . Since eliminating those evil munchers I may plant a couple more next year. The flowers are on very tall spikes 2-3’ that go well in the middle of flower beds . Some with green or dark purple large fan type low lying leaves. I can smell them now just talking about them. Odd memory cycle from flowers in the garden. They are well worth planting and the time needed to nurture for a great garden standard.
You are very welcome. My growing zone is between 7-8b. I was curious about your growing zone and 7-8 zone is same as my zone. Hopefully you can grow cimicifuga's too. You won’t be sorry. It will send up tall 2-3’ tall spikey blooms the first year in early mid summer semi-shade til fall.
You may be right about them growing here. I wonder if we have a different name for them. Thanks again, you are such a valued member here. But you know that, right.
Yes, bugbane (Actaea) is another name for cimicifuga's. Hope you find them and see what all the fuss is about.
