'Hidcote' is arguably one of the most popular and widely recognized cultivars of English lavender (Lavandula angustifolia). It's a defining plant for many traditional gardens and a staple for a lavender farm, particularly for those in regions like Door County WI that prioritize cold hardiness and classic aroma. Its distinct characteristics make it a favorite for both ornamental appeal and aromatic uses. When you buy lavender online, 'Hidcote' is a common and reliable choice for its many virtues.
Here are the defining characteristics of 'Hidcote' English lavender:
1. Scent Profile: Intensely Sweet, Purely Floral, and Calming:
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The Signature Aroma: This is 'Hidcote's' standout feature. It boasts a classic, rich, and intensely sweet lavender fragrance. It is widely considered one of the best for scent among all Lavandula angustifolia varieties.
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Low Camphor: Like other English lavenders, 'Hidcote' has a very low camphor content (typically less than 0.6% in its essential oil), meaning its scent is clean, smooth, and lacks the sharp, medicinal notes found in lavandins. This makes it highly desirable for culinary use.
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Culinary Grade: Its pleasant, non-bitter taste makes it a prime choice for infusing sugars, creating syrups, adding to baked goods, or using in savory dishes.
2. Flower Characteristics: Deep Purple-Blue and Abundant:
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Vibrant Color: 'Hidcote' is famous for its striking, deep purple-blue flowers. The color is richer and darker than many other English lavender varieties, providing excellent visual contrast against its silvery-gray foliage.
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Dense Spikes: The small, tubular flowers are tightly packed on dense, upright, and unbranched spikes, creating a full and impactful bloom display. The spikes are typically 2-4 inches long.
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Bloom Time: It typically blooms from late spring to early summer (June to July in many Northern Hemisphere climates), with potential for a smaller second flush of blooms in late summer/early fall, especially if deadheaded after the first bloom.
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Excellent for Drying: The deep color and robust nature of 'Hidcote's' flowers mean they retain their vibrant hue and strong scent exceptionally well when dried, making them perfect for sachets, potpourri, and dried arrangements.
3. Growth Habit: Compact, Mounded, and Bushy:
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Compact Size: 'Hidcote' is a relatively small and compact cultivar, typically reaching 12-20 inches (30-50 cm) tall and spreading about 12-24 inches (30-60 cm) wide. This manageable size makes it ideal for smaller gardens, containers, edging, or creating low hedges.
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Mounded Form: It naturally forms a neat, dense, and rounded mound of foliage, maintaining an attractive shape even when not in bloom.
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Foliage: The foliage consists of narrow, aromatic, silvery-gray-green leaves that remain evergreen in warmer climates, providing year-round interest. Their soft, slightly fuzzy texture is also characteristic.
4. Hardiness and Growing Conditions:
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Cold Hardiness: 'Hidcote' is notably cold-hardy, thriving in USDA Zones 5-9. This resilience makes it a reliable choice for regions with colder winters, where many lavenders might struggle.
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Drought Tolerance: Once established, it is highly drought-tolerant, requiring minimal watering. This makes it suitable for xeriscaping and water-wise gardens.
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Sun and Soil Requirements: Like all lavenders, 'Hidcote' demands full sun (at least 6-8 hours daily) and exceptionally well-drained, lean (low-fertility), and typically neutral to alkaline soil (pH 6.7-7.5). It will not tolerate "wet feet" or high humidity, which can lead to root rot.
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Deer and Rabbit Resistant: Its strong aroma generally deters deer and rabbits, adding to its appeal as a garden plant.
5. Versatility and Popularity:
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Versatile Use: Due to its ideal scent, compact size, and beautiful flowers, 'Hidcote' is highly versatile. It's used in herb gardens, perennial borders, rock gardens, as edging, in containers, and for mass plantings where a uniform, low hedge is desired.
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Award-Winning: 'Hidcote' is a recipient of the prestigious Award of Garden Merit from the Royal Horticultural Society, a testament to its outstanding qualities and reliability.
In summary, 'Hidcote' English lavender is cherished for its intense, sweet, and purely floral scent, its vibrant deep purple flowers that dry beautifully, and its tidy, compact growth habit. These characteristics have cemented its status as one of the most popular and reliable lavender varieties for gardeners and lavender product producers alike, from a small lavender farm to large operations, often seen flourishing in landscapes across Door County WI and widely available to buy lavender online from retailers like islandlavender.com.