Id-Code: LA 076
Family: Lamiaceae, Labiatae
Origin: Garden Origin
Special Features: Our own production of 'Hidcote Superior' ensures a predictable and consistant quality and is available exclusively from Jelitto
History: Introduced by JELITTO PERENNIAL SEED in 2001
Colour: Flowering spikes of deep violet blue
Natural Flowering Period: July - September
Winter Hardiness Zones: Z5-9
Growth Habit: Compact and shrubby
Foliage: Whitish-gray lanceolate (or narrower) leaves
Height with Flower: 40 cm (16'')
Spacing between Plants: 50 cm (20'')
Soil Requirement: Gritty, well-drained and slightly alkaline soils preferred, pH 6.5 - 7.5
Location: Full sun
Use: Great for containers, in the border or for edging. Good combinations might include Bronze fennel, Foeniculum vulgare 'Rubrum', Malva moschata f. alba and Verbascum 'Violetta'
Specialities: Also available as JELITTO GOLD NUGGET SEED^® (LG 076)

Cultural Tips:
Grams per 1000 seeds: 1
Seeds per Gram: 1000
Seeding Recommendation: 5 g / 1000 plants
Sowing Rate: 5 seeds per cell
Plug tray recommended size(s): 72 or 128
Germination: These perennial seeds germinate very irregularly over a long period. Lower temperatures of less than +5°C [41°F] are very effective. Seed trays should not be discarded prematurely. Constant moisture must be maintained. Do not leave in direct sunlight.

Scheduling:
Best Sowing Dates: November - March
Sowing to Germination: 4 - 8 weeks
Germination to Transplant: 4 - 8 weeks
Transplanting to Salable Plant: 6 - 10 weeks
Cutting-Back at Transplanting: Cut-back once to keep more compact

Growing On:
Container Size(s): 1 plug per 8/9 cm (3 1/2''); 1-2 plugs per 11/12 cm (4 1/2'')
Vernalization: There is no current research on vernalization but a prudent recommendation for any perennial would be 6-12 weeks (a few might need 15 weeks!) at an average daily temperature of 40°F (5°C). Exposure to cold may not be necessary for flowering but might improve quality.
Forcing: An obvious place to experiment - following vernalization - would be raising daytime temperatures to 60° - 65°F (15° - 17°C). Provide 16 hours of continuous lighting. During the short days of winter, provide a night interruption lighting of 4 hours between 10:00 p.m. and 2:00 a.m.
Fertilization: Light (100-150 ppm)