Product Field NotesLavender Seeds
Folgate Lavender Seeds: Periwinkle Blooms for Cold-Climate Gardens
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Our Folgate Lavender Seeds are for gardeners who want to raise English lavender the slow, satisfying way. Folgate is an older English selection, grown since before 1933, and it is admired for light blue flowers with an almost iridescent periwinkle shimmer over soft gray-green leaves.
It is also known for holding up in colder climates, which is a big part of why we like it here in West Michigan, where winter tends to overstay its welcome.
Folgate at a glance
| Trait | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Botanical name | Lavandula angustifolia 'Folgate' |
| Packet | 25 seeds |
| Flower color | Light periwinkle blue |
| Foliage | Soft gray-green |
| Size | Up to about 30 inches tall, 8 to 10 inch stems |
| Spacing | 30 to 36 inches |
| Hardiness | Zones 5 to 9 |
Starting Folgate indoors
In a cold-winter garden, starting lavender inside gives the seedlings a long runway before their first winter. Count back from your last frost with the Frost Date Estimator and plan to sow a couple of months ahead of it.
- Chill first: keep the seeds cool and slightly moist in the refrigerator for a few weeks.
- Sow on top: press the seeds onto a light, well-draining mix. Lavender seed needs light, so do not bury it.
- Keep it steady: warm, bright and evenly moist, never soggy.
- Wait it out: some seeds sprout in a couple of weeks, others take much longer.
Moving seedlings outside
Once plants have several sets of true leaves and the weather has settled, set them outdoors for a few hours a day for a week or so before planting. Choose full sun and soil that drains quickly after rain or snowmelt. Wet roots in winter are a much bigger threat than cold, so a slope, raised bed or gravelly soil helps Folgate show off its hardiness.
Give each plant the full 30 to 36 inches it needs. That spacing looks generous for a tiny seedling, but it keeps air moving once the mounds fill in. Check your zone with the USDA Zone Finder if you are not sure.
A note on growing cultivars from seed
Seed-grown lavender can vary a little from plant to plant in color, size and habit. That is part of the charm of a seed project, and it means your row may have a few individuals that are slightly bluer, shorter or fuller than their neighbors.
Frequently asked questions
Will Folgate bloom the first year from seed?
Young seedlings put most of their energy into roots. Expect a light show at best in the first season and a fuller bloom once the plants are established.
Is Folgate a good pick for Michigan?
Yes. It is rated for zones 5 to 9 and is known for resilience in colder climates, as long as the soil drains well.
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