Landscape & Urban Design Issue 55 2022 | Page 18

GARDEN DESIGN

FILLING THE LAVENDER LOOPHOLE AT PROVENDER NURSERIES

With importing restrictions becoming tighter on plants commonly used in planting schemes , Provender Nurseries are expanding further into growing some of our own stock to ensure consistency of supply and quality to our customers .
With Lavender being one of the most popular plants used in commercial and domestic landscapes it was decided that Lavender would be an obvious addition to the extensive list of plugs for growing on to supply our cash and carry .
All Lavenders are potted up and grown in our new on-site growing facility into peat free compost in 2L blue kerb-side recyclable pots . A selection of our Lavender choices are grown in 20L air pots which keeps the compost on the dryer side due to the air circulation around the roots . We have found that plants grown in 20L air pots have responded particularly well resulting in fantastic , ready to plant , instant specimen Lavender balls full of bud .
Lavender stock lines to grow were selected for their popularity including regular favourites such as angustifolia ‘ Hidcote ’ and ‘ Munstead ’.
Lavender x intermedia ‘ Grosso ’ is another popular choice with a longer than usual flowering period from July to September of deeply aromatic bluish-purple flowers popular for use in the perfume industry due to the intense scent .
Alongside the more well-known varieties we are also growing Lavender intermedia ‘ Phenomenal ’, a reasonably new introduction favoured for its very compact habit and strongly coloured silvergrey foliage that is particularly prominent in the winter months .
As part of our philosophy is to try something new , we are also growing a new introduction which is not yet well known or widely grown , but that we think will prove
popular , Lavender ang . ‘ Beezee Dark Blue ’. The dark blue , highly scented flowers are produced over a long period in large numbers above the silvery-green aromatic foliage reaching an overall height of 40cm . Lavandula ang . ‘ Beezee Dark Blue ’ is promoted as a hardier , more compact variety than the everpopular Hidcote .
Lavenders will never fall from popularity with designers , property developers and most importantly with bees , butterflies and pollinating insects . Provender Nurseries aim to keep all parties happy with our own production plants .
www . provendernurseries . co . uk
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