Lavandula angustifolia 'Hidcote'
Overview
Uses: Borders, herb gardens, mass plantings, containers, pollinator gardens, low hedging.
Benefits: Among the darkest purple flowers of any English lavender, held on upright spikes above aromatic silver-green foliage. Compact, mounding habit maintains a tidy form without aggressive spreading. Outstanding fragrance for fresh cutting, drying, and culinary use.
USDA Hardiness Zones: 5–9
Sun: Full Sun
Life Cycle: Hardy Perennial
Growth Habit: Mounding, Rounded — compact dome of aromatic foliage.
Bloom Color: Deep Purple
Foliage Color: Silver, Green
Mature Height: 15–20 inches
Mature Width: 18–24 inches
Bloom Season: Early summer through midsummer
Growth Rate: Moderate
Summary
Hidcote Lavender is one of the most dependable and visually striking English lavender cultivars available. Named after the renowned Hidcote Manor Garden in England, this compact selection produces deep purple-blue flower spikes that are among the richest in color of any lavender variety.
The flowers rise on slender stems above a dense mound of narrow, silver-green evergreen foliage, creating a beautiful contrast that holds its appeal throughout the bloom season. Both leaves and flowers carry the signature lavender fragrance prized for sachets, dried arrangements, and culinary flavoring. Pollinators respond strongly to the blooms, with bees and butterflies visiting freely throughout early to midsummer.
At only 15 to 20 inches tall, Hidcote stays compact and well-proportioned, making it ideal for edging pathways, defining borders, or planting in low aromatic hedges. It is also one of the hardiest English lavender selections, performing reliably in zone 5 gardens when drainage is adequate.
Care
Hidcote Lavender Care
Plant Hidcote Lavender in full sun with at least six hours of direct light daily. Well-drained soil is essential — lavender thrives in sandy or gravelly soils and struggles in heavy, wet clay. If your soil is heavy, amend with coarse sand or plant in raised beds to improve drainage. A slightly alkaline to neutral pH is preferred.
Water regularly during the first season to establish a healthy root system. Once established, Hidcote Lavender is highly drought tolerant and prefers drier conditions. Overwatering and poor drainage are the most common causes of lavender decline. Fertilization is generally unnecessary and can reduce flower production. In very lean soils, a single light application of slow release fertilizer in early spring is sufficient.
Prune Hidcote Lavender in early spring by removing up to one-third of the green growth to maintain a compact, bushy shape. Avoid cutting into old, woody stems, as lavender does not reliably regenerate from bare wood. Deadheading spent flower spikes promptly can encourage a lighter second flush of blooms later in the season.
Container Growing: Hidcote Lavender performs well in containers with excellent drainage. Use a gritty, well-drained potting mix and water when the top inch of soil feels dry. Container-grown plants may need more frequent watering than those in the ground but should never sit in waterlogged soil. Plants hardy in the ground may require winter protection when grown in containers in colder zones.
Size
What Size is the Hidcote Lavender for Sale Online?
Our Hidcote Lavender ships in a greenhouse-grade grow pot and is appropriately sized for its container at the time of shipment. If you have specific sizing or planting questions, please contact us.
How Large Does Hidcote Lavender Grow?
Hidcote Lavender reaches 15 to 20 inches tall and 18 to 24 inches wide at maturity. Its compact form makes it well-suited to containers and small garden spaces.
Additional Information
What are some common names for this plant?
This plant is commonly known as Hidcote Lavender, Hidcote Blue Lavender, and English Lavender. It is a cultivar of Lavandula angustifolia, the species most commonly referred to as true or English lavender.
Is Hidcote Lavender deer resistant?
Yes. The aromatic oils in lavender foliage and flowers are a strong deterrent to deer and rabbits, making Hidcote an excellent choice for gardens with browsing pressure. See more options in our deer-resistant plants collection.
Can Hidcote Lavender be used for cooking or crafts?
Yes. Lavandula angustifolia cultivars are the preferred species for culinary use. Hidcote flowers can be used fresh or dried in baking, teas, sugars, and savory dishes. The dried flower spikes also retain their rich color and fragrance for sachets, potpourri, and floral arrangements. Browse our Herbs collection for more culinary options.
What makes Hidcote different from other lavender varieties?
Hidcote is distinguished by its deeper purple flowers compared to other popular English lavender cultivars. It also maintains a more compact, tidy habit and is considered one of the hardiest selections, making it a reliable performer at the northern edge of lavender's range.
