growing hidcote lavender from seed Lavandula angustifolia 'Hidcote Blue'

growing hidcote lavender from seed Lavandula angustifolia 'Hidcote Blue'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 3050 cm tall and attracts bees,

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