Pot Grown Hidcote Lavender
(Lavandula Hidcote)

We've dedicated time and care into growing your pot grown plant, so it arrives looking stunningly new and healthy.

The Lavender 'Hidcote,' is native to the British Isles, with deeply fragrant purple flowers that are perfect to attract bees and other pollinator species. It will grow to about 50cm, meaning you can either plant it alone or make it the ideal addition to your vegetable patch/ fruit trees.

You will find that the Hidcote is more compact than the general English Lavender, and the flower itself is a much darker colour. Being an evergreen, the green leaves and striking bold purple flower heads of this Lavender species will likely give you immense interest all year-round.

Lavender 'Hidcote' does prefer to be placed in a full sun position, especially west or south facing. It is tolerant with poor or moderately fertile, well-drained and alkaline soil, as they are drought tolerant, and they do not like to be sat in very wet soil or to be majorly waterlogged. One way to avoid this is through planting on a soil ridge. The Hidcote is, however, tolerant of seaside weather.

• Growth height: Slow growing (10-20cm a year)
• Ideal height: 0.5m+ Small
• Soil Type: Normal
• Exposure: Coastal, Inland
• Aspect: Sun
• Evergreen foliage? Yes

As it is pot grown, you can easily leave the plant in its pot for a few days/weeks before planting it. Just ensure you keep the plant well-watered, and it gets enough sun. Don't leave it for too long, however, as you don't want the roots becoming root bound.

The Lavender 'Hidcote' is very easy to look after, and the key to getting the best out of your plant, is pruning. Though you will need to carry out regular deadheading throughout growing season (to encourage flowers to produce), a thorough prune will need to be done as soon as any flowers start to disappear in August- we do recommend that you remove about 1/3 of the plant, as this will enable light to flow through into the heart of the plant, and which small, new shoots will then grow at least 5cm before the dormant season (in September).

1. Prepare the soil by mixing in some compost. Dig the hole- this will have to be about twice the width of the root system, but the same depth.
2. Remove the plant from its pot by placing one hand on the base of the plant, and the other at the bottom of the pot. Wriggle the pot away gently.
3. Untangle the roots a little as they may be clumped together.
4. Place the plant into the hole, ensuring the base of the stem is level with the surface of the soil. Follow this with backfilling the hole with your soil mix, and patting down to lightly secure.
5. When you're done, thoroughly water the plant. Ensure you regularly water throughout its first year, as the plant needs plenty to be able to settle down, recover, and establish.