Blog

About Hidcote Blue

Hidcote Blue English Lavender, or Lavandula angustifolia ‘Hidcote Blue’, introduced in the early 1900s and named after the cultivator Major Lawrence Johnston’s “Hidcote Manor” in England, is renowned for its mesmerizing deep royal blue flowers that captivates those who encounter it.

The deep blue, almost purple, flowers of Hidcote Blue Lavender not only add a pop of color to any garden but also serve as a favorite on our farm: the gorgeous flowers retain their magnificent color and the Hidcote Blue frozen stalks are the stunning garnish for our crowd pleasing Lavender Lemon Poppyseed Cake all year round.

As a medium-sized English lavender variety that grows to 15″T x 18″W at maturity, Hidcote Blue Lavender has become a treasured crop at our lavender farm with its citrus scent and flavor profile. Hidcote Blue is a suitable perennial for USDA hardiness zones 4-9. Hidcote Blue is a late bloomer and rivals with the late blooming lavandins grown on our farm.

What is Hidcote Blue Lavender Good For?

Hidcote Blue Lavender for Aromatherapy

English lavender is highly prized in the world of aromatherapy, often considered the gold standard for its soothing and calming properties. It contains high levels of linalool, a naturally occurring compound known for its relaxing effects on both the mind and body.

However, despite its numerous benefits, English lavender is very stingy when it comes to oil production. This scarcity has led to the exploration of alternatives such as lavender hydrosol, which offers a more sustainable and affordable alternative to true lavender essential oil for enjoying the therapeutic benefits of this beloved plant.

Whether you’re looking to unwind after a long day or seeking relief from stress and anxiety, English lavender aromatherapy can be a wonderful addition to your self-care routine. Its gentle fragrance and calming properties make it a popular choice for those seeking natural remedies for relaxation and well-being.

Hidcote Lavender for Culinary Dishes

Watch Us Garnish the Delicious Lavender Lemon Poppyseed Cake with the Hidcote Blue Stems:

@twinflamelavenderfarm

Lavender cake? Yes please! #lavendercake #cookingwithlavender #bakingwithlavender #eatinglavender #lavenderfarm #lavenderlove

♬ Birthday Cake – Blake Rules & Netherfriends

The history of English Lavender for culinary dishes dates back to medieval times. Lavender’s “acquired taste” is currently gaining popularity and you can find lavender culinary creations anywhere from your local coffee houses to lavender infused cocktails at your favorite watering hole.

I would describe the flavor and scent profile that Hidcote Blue lavender lends to a dish as “citrus and floral.” It is perfect with salads, soups and sweet treats. The dried or frozen stems that retain their color make a beautiful culinary garnish year round.

Hidcote Blue Lavender for Skincare

When processed into a hydrosol, Lavender hydrosol’s pH mimics your skin’s pH. This makes Hidcote Blue lavender hydrosol perfect for any type of skin from dry to balanced to oily. Spritz in your hair for a “next day no-poo alternative” or on your face for a balancing toner.

Hidcote Blue Lavender for Crafts

While Hidcote Blue lavender’s dry buds are incredibly gorgeous and true to color, Hidcote Blue’s petite stems fall short for wreaths, dried bundles or any type of craft that needs long stems. Hidcote Blue does lend a beautiful scent in lavender wands mixed with longer stemmed varieties of lavender.

Hidcote Blue’s smaller buds are perfect for pressed flower resin art. We dry Hidcote Blue lavender stems to add them to our Michigan shaped resin sun catchers.

Natural Bug Repellent

Lavender naturally repels bugs. I often forget to use insect repellent when I leave my property. Give the green lavender leaves a squeeze to release the lavender scent and rub the scent on your arms and legs or spray lavender hydrosol directly on your skin to test the possibilities.

How to Plant & Care for Hidcote Blue Lavender

Hidcote Blue Lavender prefers a sunny spot (8+ hours) plus well draining, alkaline and sandy soil with a soil pH between 6.7-7.3. Planting on a sunny slope will produce best results.

You should fertilize and prune your Hidcote Blue two times a year (at the same time.) I recommend dolomite lime as the only fertilizer that you use. Nitrogen heavy fertilizers will kill your plant or slow bud/flower production.

The first time will be a light prune when your lavender is coming out of winter dormancy coupled with 1/4 cup of dolomite lime 6 inches from the base of the plant. The second time will be hard prune when you are done harvesting coupled with 1/4 cup of dolomite lime 6 inches at the base of the plant.

We do have a general comprehensive lavender growing guide available with more detailed information about creating the ideal conditions for your lavender garden..

Growing Hidcote Blue Lavender from Seed

Hidcote Blue is extremely difficult to germinate from seed. You do not need to cold stratify Hidcote seeds but you do need to give them plenty of light and heat to germinate. Hidcote Blue Lavender germinates very slow: 14-30 days under ideal conditions. We go into great depth on germinating lavender from seed in this guide.

Growing Hidcote Blue Lavender as an Indoor Plant

Hidcote Blue young plants can be overwintered inside and for up to one year. We do sell our Hidcote Blue plants all year round so we do give guidance on overwintering. It is not recommended to grow inside after a year as Hidcote Blue is a medium sized English lavender and has a healthy sized root system. There are many compact lavender plants (ie Rosea, Ellagance Snow, Ellagance Purple) that would be suitable for indoor enjoyment.

To overwinter a small Hidcote Blue plant indoors, make sure your pot is the right size and your plant does not become root bound. Continue to “pot up” if it is root bound. Use cactus soil for the potting medium. We water our indoor lavender “from the bottom.” This means use a saucer under your pot and fill it with water. Allow the water in the saucer to dry out for two days before filling with water again. While lavender does not care for fertilizer, indoor lavender plants will need a light application of indoor houseplant fertilizer monthly. Keep your lavender in a south facing window in the warmest room in the house. Lavender needs ample light to flourish so it is a good idea to have a grow light adjusted to 12-15″ above the plant.

Hidcote Blue Lavender Bloom Time on Our Farm

Hidcote Blue is a late bloomer. Hidcote is the last of our English lavender varieties to grace us with it’s deep blue blossoms on our farm! Our farm is located in a “microclimate” in Southwest Michigan. Our farm is one of the first to bud and bloom. There is only one other lavender farm located in the same microclimate that buds and blooms on the same cycle as our farm! Check out Michigan Lavender Bloom Schedules.

Hidcote Blue typically sends up its buds just before Memorial Day on our farm. Hidcote Blue’s blooms start erupting the 2nd or 3rd week of June on our farm. Hidcote’s final blossoms are usually harvested by the 4th of July.

Again, we live in a bizarre microclimate so our lavender is first to arrive and first to depart in Michigan. If you want to see our Hidcote Blue in bud or bloom, I highly recommend following Twin Flame Lavender Farm’s facebook page where we give regular bud and bloom updates!

Harvesting and Processing Hidcote Blue Lavender

Typical processing methods for Hidcote Blue Lavender are vinegar or oil infusions, extracts & hydrodistillation. Unless copious amounts of Hidcote is grown, steam distillation for oil is not recommended as Hidcote is stingy with its oil. Drying buds and stems are recommended as the buds will dry true to its deep blue color and are aesthetically appealing. You can also freeze Hidcote Blue stems to have “fresh” floral lavender garnish on culinary delights all year round!

I absolutely love harvesting with my lavender-drunk coworkers (bumblebees) by my side:

@twinflamelavenderfarm

Coming soon: bumblebees in the lavender! #lavenderbee #pollinatorplants #lavenderinbloom #englishlavender #lavenderfarm

♬ classic classic bumblebee flight violin(1399478) – TATAMINA

Buy Hidcote Blue Lavender Plants For Sale

We do grow and sell Hidcote Blue lavender starter plants all year long. They are one of the varieties that may be included in our “Grower’s Choice 6 Pack Lavender Plants.” We do pick out 6 of the most viable and healthy lavender choices ready to go to a new home out of the 12 varieties we grow for your 6-pack. If you are specifically interested in Hidcote Blue for your 6-pack, please contact us for availability prior to ordering.