Lavandula 'Hidcote Blue'

Lavandula 'Hidcote Blue': A Symphony of Serene Blues

Lavandula 'Hidcote Blue', celebrated as one of the most exquisite English Lavenders, orchestrates a symphony of serene blues in the garden, its deep violet-blue flowers standing in striking contrast against the silvery-green foliage. This beloved perennial is renowned for its dense, compact habit, intensely fragrant flowers, and exceptional hardiness, making it a jewel in any garden setting. Ideal for crafting tranquil borders, enhancing herb gardens with its aromatic presence, or creating elegant and fragrant container arrangements, 'Hidcote Blue' invites a sense of calm and beauty to the landscape, captivating all who wander through with its deep hues and soothing scent.

Product Characteristics:

• Height: 'Hidcote Blue' adorns the garden at a modest height of 30-40 cm, perfect for dotting the landscape with its rich, concentrated color without overshadowing companion plantings.
• Spread: With a disciplined spread of 30-40 cm, it forms neat, rounded mounds that provide structure and a sense of order to garden designs.
• Flower Colour: The blooms of 'Hidcote Blue' are a vibrant violet-blue, offering a depth of color that is both rare and sought-after in the world of lavenders, illuminating garden paths and borders with its striking presence.
• Flowering Period: Blooming from late spring to early summer, with a possible second flush in late summer, 'Hidcote Blue' extends the delights of the garden season, infusing the air with its iconic fragrance and the landscape with its vibrant color.
• Sunlight Requirements: Reveling in full sun, 'Hidcote Blue' achieves its full potential in bright, warm conditions, where its colors deepen and its fragrance intensifies, truly embodying the spirit of the summer garden.
• Soil Requirements: It prefers well-drained, somewhat alkaline soil, thriving particularly in sandy or gravelly conditions that echo its Mediterranean origins, ensuring robust growth and prolific blooming.

Uses and Benefits: Beyond its visual appeal, 'Hidcote Blue' is a treasure trove for pollinators, drawing bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects with its nectar-rich flowers. Its aromatic leaves and blooms make it an excellent choice for sensory gardens, herbal paths, and as a natural companion to vegetable plots, repelling pests with its fragrant presence.

Companion Plants: Enhance 'Hidcote Blue' with plants that offer contrasting textures or complementary hues, such as the golden flowers of Rudbeckia, the soft silvers of Stachys byzantina, or the structural elegance of ornamental grasses. These companions help to spotlight the deep blue of 'Hidcote Blue', creating a garden scene that is visually harmonious and richly textured.

Care Instructions: Lavandula 'Hidcote Blue' is a symbol of garden sophistication that flourishes with minimal care. It benefits from occasional watering during prolonged dry spells, light fertilization in early spring, and annual pruning back in late summer or early spring to encourage dense, bushy growth and prevent woody stems. Its drought tolerance and resilience to pests and diseases make it a low-maintenance choice for gardeners of all levels.

History: 'Hidcote Blue' is a distinguished variety of Lavandula angustifolia, named after the famous Hidcote Manor in England, where its beauty and performance in garden settings first gained recognition. It has since become a staple in gardens worldwide, celebrated for its intense color, fragrance, and versatility.

Final Thoughts: Lavandula 'Hidcote Blue' is a masterpiece of the garden, offering a symphony of serene blues that calm the spirit and captivate the senses. Its easy care, aromatic allure, and deep violet-blue flowers make it a sublime addition to any garden seeking to add a touch of elegance and tranquility. Whether nestled among a border, featured in a fragrant container, or woven into an aromatic herb garden, 'Hidcote Blue' promises to bring a sense of peace, beauty, and timeless charm to the landscape, making every moment in the garden a serene and sensory experience.