Munstead Lavender & Tiny Tim Alyssum
If you love gardening, chances are you jump to the opportunity to begin planning the spring and summer planting you will do once the ground begins to thaw. Although gardening as a hobby comes with many benefits, including being good for your health; both novice and seasoned gardeners will tell you, it’s an expensive hobby. One way to get around the expense and still enjoy this time honored recreation is to venture into the world of seeds! Typically, January is a little early to start thinking about the perennials you want to add to your garden. However, with so many perennials needing to start indoors at roughly twelve weeks before the last frost; January is a great time to begin planning which perennials you want to start from seed. Two types of perennial seeds that are great for beginners are Munstead Lavender, and Tiny Tim Alyssum. They are both tough and can withstand hot conditions as well as drought, making them great companion plants. So, where does one obtain seeds to grow lavender? One trusted source is Botanical Interests.
Munstead English Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia)
Although it’s common name is English Lavender, (Lavandula angustifolia – botanical name), this plant is not native to England. It’s an herbaceous plant that is native to the Mediterranean, and has been used for thousands of years for everything from medicinal to hygienic purposes. One of the great benefits of planting lavender, is that it’s incredibly easy to maintain. Its drought tolerant, and in fact doesn’t need to be watered much at all. It likes alkaline soil quality, that is well drained. It can withstand very hot conditions, and makes a great hedge. Growing 12″ to 18″ tall, and once it’s established sprawling 24″ wide. As a perennial in zones 5-9, it’s no wonder Lavender is a welcomed addition in any landscape.
When to sow Munstead Lavender seeds
According to Botanical Interests online, its recommended to start Munstead Lavender seeds inside ten to twelve weeks before the average last frost date. The seedlings can then be transplanted outside after the average last frost date. If the ten to twelve weeks timeline has passed, then the suggestion is to wait and sow the seeds outdoors four to six weeks before the average last frost.
Tiny Tim Alyssum (Lobularia maritima)
A favorite for so many gardeners for lots of reasons; Tiny Tim Alyssum is a zone 5 perennial that is tiny but very mighty. Also native to the Mediterranean region, it makes an excellent ground cover, & superb spiller in containers. Growing 2″-4″ tall and stretching up to 12″ wide, this very fragrant pollinator is a hard working plant in any garden. Blooming from the first sign of spring all the way through the season to the first frost. It’s a great option for those looking to fill gaps within their garden without spending a fortune.
When to Sow Tiny Tim Alyssum
Botanical Interests states that Tiny Tim Alyssum can be started indoors four to six weeks before the average last frost. If sowing right into the ground is desired, then sowing outside one to two weeks before the average last frost. From personal experience, Tiny Tim Alyssum is a self sowing plant. Taking a bouquet and shaking the flowers over the soil in the garden will result in new flowers within a few weeks.
What to use when starting seeds indoors
There are a number of options when starting flowers from seeds. From empty egg cartons, to high-tech seed starting kits. One in particular that is considered best for new and experienced gardeners is the Burpee 36-Cell Self-Watering Green House Kit. Now there are a number of mixed reviews on this product, however growing seeds isn’t an exact science. The kit comes with a watering mat and growing pellets, both of which are meant to avoid overwatering, and keep the seedlings watered for up to ten days at a time. With 36 cells, and the ability for the roots to draw up only the amount of water they need; Lavender and alyssum can be grown in this kit together. Of coarse in separate cells. The fact that this kit comes with everything needed to start the seeds at an incredibly reasonable price, is reason enough to give it a grow 😉
Summing it all up
Gardening as a hobby has great benefits to ones health and wellbeing. Unfortunately it can be a costly leisure pursuit. But growing your perennials from seeds can be a very cost effective way to add beautiful color to a new or existing garden. Munstead English Lavender and Tiny Tim alyssum are great companion plants to grow from seed together and enjoy for years to come.
This post is not sponsored.
Sources
Missouribotanicalgarden.org. n.d. Lavandula Angustifolia – Plant Finder. [online] Available at: <https://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?taxonid=281393&isprofile=1&gen=Lavandula> [Accessed 7 January 2021].
Botanical Interests. n.d. Munstead Lavender Seeds. [online] Available at: <https://www.botanicalinterests.com/product/Munstead-Lavender-Seeds> [Accessed 7 January 2021].
Botanical Interests. n.d. Tiny Tim Sweet Alyssum Seeds. [online] Available at: <https://www.botanicalinterests.com/product/Tiny-Tim-Sweet-Alyssum-Seeds> [Accessed 7 January 2021].