Exposure and location

Lavande Hidcote Blue needs plenty of sun to thrive and develop its fragrance:

• Light: Full sun essential; at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day; the more light it receives, the more generous its flowering and intense its fragrance
• Balcony or terrace: Ideal location in full sun, facing south or west
• Garden: At the edge, in a flowerbed or well-exposed rockery
• Window sill: South side to enjoy the sun all day long
• Decorative pot: Terracotta or light ceramic to avoid root overheating
• Avoid: Shady or semi-shady locations that would reduce flowering and fragrance

💡 Verdeia Tip: The more sun your Lavande Hidcote Blue receives, the more floral spikes it will have and the more captivating its fragrance. It loves warmth and well-ventilated spots.

Watering and care

• Watering: Low; water only when the substrate is dry deep down; lavender is very drought-resistant and fears excess water
• Frequency: Once a week in summer during heat waves, once every 15 days in spring and autumn, very little in winter
• Water quality: Use water at room temperature; lavender tolerates hard water well
• Fertilizer: Not demanding; a light application of flowering plant fertilizer in spring is enough; avoid excess that would reduce fragrance
• Pruning: Prune after flowering by cutting faded flower stems and lightly trimming foliage to maintain a compact shape
• Drainage: Essential; add clay balls to the bottom of the pot or plant in a draining substrate (potting soil + sand)
• Harvest: Pick the spikes at the beginning of flowering to dry them and enjoy their fragrance all year round

💡 Verdeia Tip: Lavender hates stagnant moisture. Good drainage is essential to prevent root rot. Better to underwater than overwater.

Decor ideas and plant combinations

Hidcote Blue Lavender pairs perfectly with other plants to create a Mediterranean ambiance:

• With other aromatic plants: Pair with rosemary, thyme, sage, or oregano to create an herb garden on your balcony
• With Mediterranean plants: Combine with olive tree, oleander, santolina, or helichrysum for a Provençal atmosphere
• Dry garden style: Create a composition with grasses, sedums, and rock garden plants for a water-efficient garden
• With terracotta pots: Choose decorative pots in terracotta, beige, or off-white to enhance the Mediterranean spirit
• As an edge or border: Plant several lavenders in a row to create a spectacular fragrant border

💡 Verdeia Tip: Hidcote Blue Lavender naturally attracts pollinators. Place it near your vegetable garden or flowering plants to promote biodiversity.

Verdeia Tips

• Yellowing foliage: Excess water or poor drainage; reduce watering and check that water drains well
• Weak flowering: Lack of sun or excess nitrogen fertilizer; move to a sunnier location and limit fertilizer inputs
• Leggy growth: Lack of pruning; prune regularly after flowering to maintain a compact and dense shape
• Intense fragrance: Lavender scent is stronger in full sun and warm weather; gently rub the foliage to release essential oils
• Hardiness: Lavandula Hidcote Blue withstands down to -15 °C; protect it from cold winds in winter if potted
• Drying: Cut the spikes at the beginning of flowering, tie them into bouquets, and hang them upside down in a dry, airy place

💡 Verdeia tip: For healthy lavender, the key is simplicity: full sun, perfect drainage, moderate watering, and annual pruning after flowering.

Technical characteristics

• Botanical name: Lavandula angustifolia 'Hidcote Blue'
• Common names: True lavender, English lavender, common lavender
• Family: Lamiaceae
• Origin: Mediterranean basin
• Dimensions at delivery: Ø12 × H20 cm
• Adult size: 40 to 60 cm in height and spread
• Growth: Moderate
• Foliage: Evergreen; narrow silver-gray aromatic leaves
• Flowering: June to August; intense blue-violet flower spikes, very fragrant
• Light: Full sun essential; at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day
• Watering: Low; very drought-resistant
• Humidity: Prefers dry atmospheres; fears excessive humidity
• Temperature: Withstands from -15 °C to +40 °C
• Care: Easy (annual pruning recommended)
• Toxicity for animals: Non-toxic
• Properties: Aromatic, melliferous, soothing, decorative