The original idea has evolved as time has gone by and Elsie has become passionate about this magical herb, which is widely thought of as ‘the most quintessential cottage plant’.

Angustifolia varieties are Elsie’s favourite and have bought about the breeding of two new varieties. Lavendula angustifolia Thumbelina Leigh is a charming miniature lavender, born of Hidcote and Munsted parentage.

The intensely compact flower heads are very similar to Grape Hyacinth. The altitude and hot dry summers provide ideal conditions for the research of plants. Essential oil trails from Thumbelina Leigh have been absolutely stunning though this is not the direction of this species.

It’s habit is neat and compact with mid green fine fragrant foliage. Flowers are intensely bright and beautiful with very compact thumb to ball shape heads. After the first flowering usually December the plant should be cut back by half and shaped to the desired form and a second flowering will occur.

This fabulous new species was released New Zealand wide on October the 1st 2002. It’s available from most leading garden centres and of course at the Leighvander Cottage.