Lavender 'Hidcote' – A Classic, Compact Lavender with Deep Purple Blooms
Lavender 'Hidcote' is one of the most popular and beloved lavender varieties, known for its compact size and rich, deep purple flowers. This fragrant and hardy shrub offers a dense mound of aromatic foliage topped with striking spikes of violet-blue blooms that appear in mid to late summer. Ideal for borders, containers, or herb gardens, 'Hidcote' adds both beauty and fragrance to any landscape. With its low-maintenance nature and long-lasting blooms, it's a perfect choice for gardeners seeking a timeless, elegant addition to their garden.
Why Grow Lavender 'Hidcote'?
Rich Purple Flowers – The standout feature of 'Hidcote' is its dense spikes of deep purple flowers that bloom profusely in mid to late summer. The vivid colour contrasts beautifully with the silvery-green foliage, providing a stunning visual display. Its strong fragrance is a signature trait, making it a favourite for those looking to add both colour and scent to the garden.
Compact & Neat Growth Habit – 'Hidcote' is a compact variety of lavender, growing to a height of about 12 to 18 inches (30 to 45 cm) with a similar spread. Its tidy, bushy form makes it perfect for small gardens, containers, or creating neat borders along walkways or pathways.
Fragrant & Aromatic – Like all lavenders, 'Hidcote' is prized for its fragrant flowers, which release a calming, soothing scent. This makes it perfect for planting near patios, decks, or outdoor seating areas, where you can enjoy its aromatic qualities while relaxing in the garden.
Hardy & Low-Maintenance – Lavender 'Hidcote' is highly resilient, drought-tolerant, and thrives in poor, well-drained soil, making it an excellent choice for gardeners looking for a low-maintenance plant that requires little attention once established. It’s also a great option for gardeners new to lavender, as it is robust and easy to grow.
Versatile in the Landscape – This variety works well in a variety of garden styles, from cottage gardens to Mediterranean-inspired designs. It also makes an excellent addition to herb gardens, where its striking blooms can be paired with other aromatic plants like rosemary and thyme.
Planting & Care Guide
Position: Lavender 'Hidcote' thrives in full sun, requiring at least 6 hours of direct sunlight each day. It prefers open, sunny areas and will perform best with plenty of light. In hotter climates, it may tolerate some light afternoon shade, but overall, it requires ample sunlight to produce its best blooms.
Soil: Prefers well-drained, slightly alkaline soil with a pH between 6.5 and 7.5. Lavender 'Hidcote' does best in soils that are not too rich, as it tolerates lean, dry conditions and does not like waterlogged roots. Adding sand or grit to heavy soils will improve drainage.
Watering: Lavender is drought-tolerant once established, but it benefits from regular watering during the first year of growth. Be sure to water deeply, but avoid over-watering, as 'Hidcote' prefers well-drained soil. Water when the soil feels dry to the touch but allow it to dry out between waterings.
Maintenance:
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Prune after flowering to maintain a tidy, compact shape. Cut back the spent flower spikes and lightly trim the foliage to encourage fresh growth and prevent legginess.
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Mulch lightly to suppress weeds and retain moisture, but avoid piling mulch around the base of the plant to ensure good airflow.
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Fertilize sparingly, as lavender thrives in poor soil. A light application of a balanced fertilizer in early spring can encourage healthy growth.
Perfect Plant Combinations
Lavender 'Hidcote' pairs beautifully with other Mediterranean plants like rosemary, thyme, and sage, which share similar growing conditions. For added texture, combine it with ornamental grasses such as Festuca or Stipa, which contrast beautifully with lavender's fine foliage. It also looks stunning in cottage gardens alongside other perennial favourites like echinacea, salvia, and rudbeckia, where its striking purple blooms can complement a range of other colours.
Does the height include the pot?
No, we measure from the top of the pot to the tip of the plant except for some of the instant planted screens, in this case it will be stated in the description
How long does delivery take?
Most orders are delivered in just a few days, Smaller items are often sent with Parcelforce on a next day service, Larger items should allow up to 10 days due to the size of the items they often have to be sent on our own transport.
Where will you leave my plants?
We will leave your order at the front of your property, Parcelforce may
leave your items in a safe place if you let us know, Pallet couriers
will require a flat hard surface to deliver to, no gravel or soil, a
driveway or parking spot would be best. Most importantly Deliveries by
pallet courier will require access for a large truck (bin lorry sized)
to get near the delivery point. Deliveries sent on our own transport may come in a small van or larger truck.
