Gray Leaved French Lavender – 50 Seeds

Gray Leaved French Lavender (Lavandula dentata var. candicans), is a bushy, evergreen shrub known for its soft, silvery-gray, serrated leaves and fragrant, pale lavender-blue flowers that bloom throughout the summer. It grows to about 75 cm tall and 60 cm wide, requires full sun and well-drained soil, and is suitable for low hedges, borders, and mass plantings. This half-hardy plant is often called Gray French Lavender due to its appearance, and its flowers are good for cutting and drying.

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French Lavender Medicinal Benefits

• Respiratory Support: Vapor from boiling leaves and flowers is used to treat colds, coughs, bronchitis, and asthma.
• Pain Relief: Used for rheumatism, muscle aches, headaches, and migraines.
• Digestive Health: Acts as a stomachic and aids in treating digestive problems, including colic, flatulence, and diarrhea.
• Dermatological/External: Used for skin ailments, wounds, burns, psoriasis, scabies, and eczema.
• Other: Used for insomnia, nervous exhaustion, and reducing fever.
• Antimicrobial: Studies indicate antimicrobial, antifungal, and anti-inflammatory properties.

Plant Part Usage:

• Flowers/Flower Tops: Used for infusions (tea) and infusions to aid sleep and calm the nervous system.
• Leaves/Leafy Stems: Used in decoctions for urinary system ailments, diabetes, and as a hair rinse for lice.
• Essential Oil: Used in aromatherapy to reduce stress and anxiety, and in creams for skin healing.

Other Uses:

• Repellent: Known to repel mosquitoes, flies, and moths.
• Culinary: Unlike English lavender, it is not typically used for cooking, but it can be used to add a slightly camphor-like flavor to savory dishes.

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Growing Gray Leaved French Lavender

Indoor Sowing: Cold Stratification and then sow in Late Winter.

Direct Sowing: Late Autumn.

• It can take one to three months for lavender seeds to germinate, so start early and be patient.
• For indoor sowing, first cold stratify the seeds for 30 days and then sow seeds in Late Winter.
• For direct sowing, sow the seeds in Late Autumn and germination will start taking place the following Spring.
• Use shallow seed trays and just barely cover the seeds with soil.
• Use a light soil or a vermiculite blend.
• Keep the seeds moist but not overly wet.
• A sunny spot is a great location to keep the soil from getting too wet and to add warmth.
• Your lavender seedlings will be ready to transplant once they have several leaves per plant.
• Your first year of growth will not be impressive, but by year two, expect to have large, blooming lavender.
• Prune lightly after flowering to maintain a compact shape.
• Plant 30cm apart for a hedge or border.