'Munstead' and 'Hidcote' are both incredibly popular and well-loved cultivars of English lavender (Lavandula angustifolia). They share many similarities, including excellent cold hardiness, sweet fragrance, and suitability for culinary use, making them staples for any lavender farm or garden in zones like those found in Door County WI. However, they do have subtle but distinct differences in their appearance and growth habits that can influence a gardener's or buyer's choice when they buy lavender online from sources like islandlavender.com.
Quick answer
Hidcote and Munstead are both popular English lavenders, but they are not identical. Hidcote is often chosen for its deeper purple flowers and compact look, while Munstead is valued for reliable growth, fragrance, and a softer garden habit.
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People also ask
Which is better, Hidcote or Munstead lavender?
Neither is always better. Choose Hidcote for a compact, darker-purple look, and choose Munstead for a classic fragrant English lavender that works well in many gardens.
Is Munstead lavender the same as Hidcote?
No. Both are English lavender varieties, but they differ in flower color, shape, growth habit, and garden appearance.
Is Munstead or Hidcote more fragrant?
Both are fragrant. Munstead is often appreciated for a sweet classic lavender scent, while Hidcote is loved for its compact form and darker flowers.
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Comparing lavender varieties? Explore how Island Lavender uses lavender in everyday products, gifts, and kitchen favorites.
Shop this post: We grow and work with lavender varieties at Island Lavender, then use their fragrance and flavor in products like Lavender Essential Oil and Lavender Culinary Buds.
Here's a comparison of 'Munstead' and 'Hidcote':
1. Flower Color and Appearance:
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'Munstead':
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Color: Tends to have a lighter, softer lavender-blue or silvery-violet flower color. It's often described as a true, classic lavender hue.
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Flower Spikes: The flower spikes of 'Munstead' are typically a bit looser and more airy in appearance. The individual florets may be spaced slightly further apart on the stem, giving it a somewhat less dense look.
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Bloom Time: 'Munstead' is often celebrated for being an early bloomer, usually starting a little earlier in the season than 'Hidcote' (typically early to mid-June in many climates).
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'Hidcote':
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Color: Renowned for its deep, intense purple-blue flowers. The color is more saturated and darker than 'Munstead', creating a striking visual impact.
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Flower Spikes: 'Hidcote' produces denser, more compact flower spikes with tightly packed florets. This gives it a very neat and uniform appearance.
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Bloom Time: Typically blooms from late spring to early summer, often a week or two after 'Munstead' begins (mid-June to July).
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2. Plant Size and Growth Habit:
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'Munstead':
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Size: Generally considered a slightly larger and looser plant than 'Hidcote'. It typically grows to about 18-24 inches (45-60 cm) tall with a similar spread, though it can reach up to 30 inches wide.
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Growth Habit: It forms a mounded, slightly more open or "shaggy" bush. While still compact, it has a less rigid, more relaxed form compared to 'Hidcote'. Its foliage may also appear slightly less dense, allowing more light to pass through.
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Heat Tolerance: 'Munstead' is noted for its ability to withstand hot summer temperatures a bit better than some other English lavenders, including 'Hidcote', making it a good choice for warmer climates within its hardiness zone (USDA Zones 4-9).
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'Hidcote':
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Size: Tends to be a bit more compact and slightly shorter than 'Munstead', usually maturing at around 12-20 inches (30-50 cm) tall and 18-24 inches (45-60 cm) wide.
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Growth Habit: It forms a very dense, neat, and symmetrical mound. Its tight growth habit makes it excellent for creating formal edges, low hedges, or uniform mass plantings. Its foliage is often a more pronounced silvery-gray.
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Cold Hardiness: Both are very cold hardy (USDA Zones 5-9), but 'Hidcote' is often highlighted for its exceptional resilience in colder winters.
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3. Scent Intensity (Subtle Differences):
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Both 'Munstead' and 'Hidcote' are celebrated for their sweet, pure, and low-camphor English lavender fragrance, making them ideal for culinary and aromatherapy uses.
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'Hidcote' is often cited as having a slightly more intense and richer aroma, possibly due to its denser flower spikes and potentially higher concentration of specific aromatic esters. However, the difference is subtle, and both are excellent choices for fragrance.
Summary of Differences:
Choosing between 'Munstead' and 'Hidcote' often comes down to personal preference for flower color, desired plant size, and the formality of the garden design. For a vibrant, dark purple hedge, 'Hidcote' might be preferred. For a softer color and a slightly earlier bloom, 'Munstead' is an excellent choice. Both are phenomenal performers and a testament to the beauty and utility of English lavender cultivated at a dedicated lavender farm or sourced when you buy lavender online for your home garden in Door County WI or elsewhere.