Lavandula angustifolia Seeds | Hidcote Lavender
LATIN NAME: Lavandula angustifolia
COMMON NAME: Hidcote Lavender, English Lavender
Plant Profile
Hidcote Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) grows as a compact, bushy, evergreen shrub in the mint family. The Hidcote lavender is one of finest of lavenders of garden, and its dense, deep-purple spikes and its fine, silver-grey foliage have made it a treasured plant of borders and hedges of the world. During flowering it gives bees and other insects a dependable food source. For the gardener, the sum of these traits is a plant that is easy to live with.
Science & Biotechnology
Botanists studying the mint family regularly include Lavandula angustifolia in comparative work, and the species also appears in horticultural trials aimed at gardeners and growers. The Hidcote lavender has a real and distinguished place in the research. Contemporary seed practice means a grower can raise it confidently with standard techniques.
Uses & Benefits
Hidcote Lavender works well in borders, containers and dedicated beds. Ecologically, the Hidcote lavender is a generous plant of the garden. Hidcote is a very popular cultivar for hedging. In later seasons it demands little more than an appreciative eye.
Lavender is aromatherapy’s cornerstone: its essential oil, standardized as the oral preparation Silexan, has clinical-trial support for anxiety, and lavender baths, sachets and teas are among the oldest calming remedies in Europe. It is also one of the great bee plants.
Growing from Seed
Starting Hidcote Lavender from seed is simple and satisfying. A simple routine works well: sow evenly over the surface and cover lightly in a loose, well-drained seed compost, maintain even moisture, and provide bright light. Prick the seedlings out once they are large enough to handle, grow them on in bright light, and plant out when conditions allow.
Our Take
Hidcote Lavender repays a little patience at sowing time with plenty of garden presence later.
Related Reading
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