Lavandula angustifolia Hidcote Blue | English Lavender

Lavandula angustifolia ‘Hidcote Blue’ | English Lavender

Lavandula angustifolia ‘Hidcote Blue’ is one of the most beloved lavender varieties, admired for its intense violet-blue flowers and wonderfully aromatic fragrance. This compact, evergreen perennial brings Mediterranean charm to any garden and is ideal for borders, rock gardens, pots, or as a fragrant low hedge.

Blooming from June to August, this lavender grows 30–50 cm tall and attracts bees, butterflies, and other pollinators. It thrives in sunny, well-drained, calcareous soils, making it highly drought-tolerant and low-maintenance. The flowers and leaves retain their scent even after drying, making them perfect for sachets, aromatherapy, or dried floral arrangements.

‘Hidcote Blue-Strain’ is a premium selection known for its uniformity, vivid flower color, and reliability. It is also suitable for professional landscaping, roof gardens, and container cultivation, offering both beauty and resilience.

Plant Information

• Botanical name: Lavandula angustifolia ‘Hidcote Blue-Strain’
• Common name: English Lavender
• Plant type: Evergreen perennial
• Height: 30–50 cm
• Spread: 30–40 cm
• Flower color: Intense violet-blue
• Foliage: Grey-green, aromatic leaves
• Flowering period: June–August
• Soil: Well-drained, calcareous, light, dry to fresh
• pH: 5.8–7.0
• Position: Full sun
• Water needs: Low; avoid waterlogging
• Hardiness zones: 5a–9a
• Heat zones: 12–7
• Fertilization: Light organic feeding; avoid overfertilizing
• Lifespan: Long-lived perennial

Sowing & Cultivation

• Sowing Indoors (for greenhouse production):
  • Time: February–March
  • Temperature: 18–22 °C (65–72 °F)
  • Light: Required for germination — surface sow seeds and press lightly into the substrate
  • Germination time: 14–21 days
  • Seed form: Raw or treated ApeX seeds (treated seed enhances germination rates)
  • Sowing depth: Cover lightly with vermiculite or fine soil
  • Sowing Outdoors:
  • Time: April–May
  • Spacing: 30–40 cm between plants
• Growing On:
  • Transplant plugs after 9 weeks into an alkaline, well-drained medium
  • Grow at 12–18 °C; vernalization (cold period) is required for flower initiation
  • After vernalization, maintain 15–18 °C under long days for 6–7 weeks to encourage flowering
• Media:
  • Well-draining perennial substrate
  • 0–15% clay and perlite or sand
  • Balanced fertilizer (1–2 kg/m³), iron chelate, micronutrients
  • pH 5.8–7.0
• Crop Time:
  • Spring production: 10–12 months
• Care Tips
  • Water sparingly; lavender dislikes excess moisture
  • Prune lightly after flowering to maintain a compact shape
  • Use organic fertilizer once a year in spring
  • Store seed up to 6 months at 5 °C for optimal viability

Uses

• Bedding and border plantings
• Rock gardens and Mediterranean-style landscapes
• Aromatic and medicinal herb gardens
• Pot and container planting
• Dried flowers, scented sachets, and essential oil production
• Roof gardens and pollinator-friendly plantings

Why Grow ‘Hidcote Blue’?

• Compact and uniform habit – ideal for modern gardens
• Deep violet-blue flowers and rich fragrance
• Drought- and heat-tolerant
• Beloved by bees and butterflies
• Long-lasting blooms and aromatic foliag