Sowing Outdoors

Rake soil to provide a firm, even surface. Sow seeds thinly in pre-watered soil. Sowings made in semi-circular lines create a natural "drift" effect. Keep moist until seedlings appear and as required in dry spells.

Growing on / thinning

When large enough to handle, thin seedlings to around 30cm (12in) apart to allow their development and to prevent overcrowding.

Special note

Some hardy annuals respond well to being sown in trays in a greenhouse and then planted out to the garden as bedding plants. In our experience, lavatera is not suitable for this technique as the young plants seldom establish well.