Is Lavandula angustifolia the same as Hidcote?
Lavender ‘Hidcote’, or Lavandula angustifolia ‘Hidcote’, is a hardy English Lavender variety native to the UK. It’s renowned for its intense fragrance and deep purple flowers that act as a magnet for bees and other pollinators. To maintain its compact shape and promote longevity, prune ‘Hidcote’ lightly after flowering. Cut back the flower stalks and about 2. Avoid cutting into old wood, as lavender doesn’t regenerate well from bare stems.The flower color is deep and uniform. Lavender has a limited life span. It generally goes south or ages out after 5-7 years. You can extend this lifespan substantially if you take care of the plants.Long flowering lavender varieties and species ‘Marshwood’: popular variety with profuse flowers in shades of pink and purple; blooms from May to September. Anouk’: variety with dark purple flowers; long flowering time from May to August; bushy growth; intense, pleasant fragrance.Hidcote Lavender typically grows to 12-20 inches (30-50 cm) and spreads about 20 to 24 inches (50-60 cm) wide. This size fits well into various garden designs, from borders to rock gardens.
How do you care for Lavandula angustifolia Hidcote?
In containers, ensure excellent drainage by mixing grit into a peat-free, loam-based compost. Feed container-grown plants sparingly in spring with a balanced, slow-release fertiliser. Lavender is susceptible to root rot in heavy, wet soils, so ensure good drainage, especially in winter. Lavender also grows quite well in containers. In the Deep South, it actually does better in pots, as it benefits from improved drainage and air circulation. While the plants thrive in arid Western climates, they are usually considered annuals in the South.Lavender is known to have insect-repelling properties and is sometimes used to repel pests such as moths, flies, codling moths, and mosquitoes. This fragrant and attractive herb is easy to grow and care for. Give it a sunny location and well-draining soil.Planting and Spacing Space lavender plants 18-24 inches apart into light, well aerated, gravelly soil. Lavender grows about 1-2 feet tall and wide depending on variety and takes 3 years to reach full size.The best time of year to plant Lavender is in early spring, ideally April, when the soil starts to become warm. This is unlike many other plants which we suggest planting in the autumn. Lavender prefers dry soil, and the cold and wet conditions of winter months would leave the plant vulnerable.Because lavender is a semi-woody shrub, it has a tendency to develop elongated, woody stems if plants aren’t pruned regularly. Not only do these scraggly stems produce fewer blooms, they eventually sprawl outward, leaving an ugly hole in the middle of your plant.
When should I prune my hidcote lavender?
Left to their own devices, lavender can become woody and ungainly, so to keep plants compact and attractive, it’s best to trim them annually in late summer, just after flowering has finished. Remove any spent flower stalks and about 2. The most important thing to remember when pruning lavender is not to cut the woody growth. Only cut about 1/3 of the plant, and be sure to remove leggy growth and faded blooms.Hardy lavenders are best pruned after they have finished flowering in late August or September. Traditional advice used to be that you should never cut into the old wood. However, opinions have changed and gardeners are now told to cut back to about 22cm (9ins).If you forget to prune or chose not to prune, the plant will be just fine. They are very forgiving plants — in fact, many people kill their lavender by pruning too much or at the wrong time of year. In colder climates, we recommend pruning anytime in the month of May — never in the fall.Lavender Propagation: Avoid This Common Mistake When Taking Cuttings When taking lavender cuttings, you want to avoid growth that is too soft because it may not root properly and is more prone to rot.
Where is the best place to plant hidcote lavender?
For best results, grow lavender ‘Hidcote’ in well-drained soil in full sun. Cut back the flower stalks after they have finished, and then trim back plants in April, to keep them neat and bushy. How long does lavender live? Lavenders are not long-lived plants. If pruned correctly, hardy types can live for about 15 years (as many as 20 years, in some cases). Expect tender varieties to last for about five years.Regular pruning is one of the best ways to ensure your lavender is bursting with flowers and keeping them from getting woody and gangly looking. You can prune in the spring or in early fall, but timing is critical. If you are pruning in the fall, make sure your pruning is done 4-6 weeks before your first frost.Growers in Zones 1 to 6 should wait until after the last frost of the spring to plant lavender. They should transplant it in late spring or early summer. Zones 7 to 10 growers should plant in the fall, giving them enough time to establish before winter.However with proper care and trimming, lavender (both English and Lavendin hybrids—Grosso, Provence, etc. Some gardeners have even documented plants that live up to 24 years!
What is the lifespan of a Hidcote lavender plant?
Unlike, many larger types ‘Hidcote’ seldom splays or splits when in bloom, instead the compact plants hold their flower spikes vertically and in a tidy way. The flower color is deep and uniform. Lavender has a limited life span. It generally goes south or ages out after 5-7 years. Once the flowers fade (late summer through autumn), they can be snipped off (‘deadheaded’) to encourage further blooming. The later blooms are usually not as prolific as the earlier ones, but every lavender bloom is precious and wonderful.During the seed production process, the lavender plant may look less tidy with dried, brown flowers. But as lavender is a hardy plant, not deadheading it shouldn’t negatively affect its overall health.Depending on your zone and climate, lavender can grow back every year. Lavender is typically known as a perennial, but it can also be grown as an annual.Growing Lavender. Light/Watering: Lavenders demand full sun, although afternoon shade may be appreciated in the hottest climates. Plants are very drought resistant once established, but will flower better if not allowed to dry out.Poor Seed Germination Lavender is notoriously difficult to propagate by seed because of long germination times and special requirements.
What are common problems with hidcote lavender?
Overwatering and root rot are the most likely cause of problems in Hidcote Lavender, since they are sensitive to wet soil. The leaves may also appear to be curling or drooping. Less often, yellow leaves are caused by underwatering, nutrient deficiencies, or pests. Lavender plants are likely to suffer from root rot if often overwatered, and if the soil drainage is particularly poor around them. You can prevent this by ensuring you plant Lavender hedges and shrubs in full sun and well-drained soil. Lavender almost thrive on neglect!Overwatering is a common issue for lavender plants. Look for yellowing leaves, root rot, and squishy roots as telltale signs. On the other hand, underwatered lavender will show drooping leaves, dry soil, and crispy leaf edges. Recognizing these symptoms early can save your plant from further distress.This plant requires perfectly drained soil, preferably on the dry side, and full sun. English lavender does not like wet feet and will die out in heavy clays. It is easily transplanted and prefers neutral to alkaline soils. Propagate by seed, division or stem cutting.Lavandula angustifolia is the true English Lavender. Its midsummer flowers are a dusky blue violet, the buds gray violet, on spikes about 8″ long. Plants form rounded mounds of silvery gray foliage perhaps 3′ high and slightly wider.
Does hidcote lavender come back every year?
Hidcote’ Lavender is a standout English variety known for its strong fragrance and winter hardiness. Gardeners growing lavender at the northernmost edges of its range can plant ‘Hidcote’ for its improved ability to survive winter and reappear the following spring. The lavender flowers usually start to fade by August so it would be a great time to deadhead and remove the faded blooms if you haven’t harvested them before then. By deadheading them, they will come back into bloom.It’s not good to prune your Lavender plants in late Autumn / Winter when it’s not in growth, and if you prune it in Summer you will remove all the flowers, so that leaves either Spring, or late-Summer / early Autumn.Spanish lavenders are among the lavender varieties that benefit most from deadheading, as they can bloom multiple times throughout the season. However, numerous English lavender varieties, including ‘Sharon Roberts,’ ‘Buena Vista,’ and ‘Hidcote,’ can also experience a second round of blooming after deadheading.Lavender also grows quite well in containers. In the Deep South, it actually does better in pots, as it benefits from improved drainage and air circulation. While the plants thrive in arid Western climates, they are usually considered annuals in the South.