Lavandula angustifolia 'Hidcote' is a compact and exceptionally beautiful cultivar of English lavender. It is named after the renowned Arts and Crafts garden in Gloucestershire that plantsman Laurence Johnston created.

This aromatic shrub typically reaches a height and spread of 60cm x 60cm (24in x 24in). It creates a neat, mounded form perfect for traditional and contemporary garden designs.

Lavender 'Hidcote' is a versatile and rewarding addition to the garden. Use it as an elegant edging plant, a fragrant addition to herb gardens, or a structural design element. The compact form, intense purple flower colour, and intoxicating fragrance make it a true classic. It promises years of sensory delight with relatively low maintenance.

Fragrant blooms and foliage

Gardeners celebrate English lavender 'Hidcote' for its dense flower spikes of intensely fragrant, deep violet flowers. These appear from mid to late summer, usually from June to August. These striking blooms rise above slender, aromatic, silvery-grey foliage that remains attractive year-round. The vibrant flowers and tactile, scented leaves make this variety of lavender a true sensory delight in the garden.

Versatile garden uses

'Hidcote' is renowned for its versatility in garden design. Its compact form makes it possibly the best lavender for lavender hedging. Use it to edge borders and pathways where you can brush against its aromatic foliage to release a delightful perfume as you pass. It excels in gravel gardens, adding structure and Mediterranean flair.

Achieve a more contemporary look in modern garden schemes by regularly pruning lavender plants into formal spheres. Unclipped, Lavender ‘Hidcote’ does spread which is part of its charm.

To find out more about how to plant a hedge, click here

Wildlife-friendly wonder

Beyond its ornamental value, 'Hidcote' is a magnet for wildlife. Its nectar-rich flower heads are highly attractive to bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects, making it an excellent choice for pollinator-friendly gardens. Using this lavender plant in your outdoor space adds beauty and fragrance and supports local biodiversity.

Companion planting and collections

'Hidcote' pairs beautifully with other sun-loving, drought-tolerant plants such as Salvia (e.g. cultivars of Salvia nemorosa). They share similar water and full sun requirements and complement the lavender's colour with shades of purple, blue, or white.

A classic companion for herb gardens and pots is rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis). A Mediterranean herb that thrives in the same dry, free-draining soil conditions.

Try combining it with roses for a classic English garden look, or with ornamental grasses and euphorbia for a more contemporary feel. Consider our Edible Flowers Plant & Seed Combination for a ready-made, sensory combination. It pairs lavender 'Hidcote' with other aromatic and ornamental herbs for a fragrant, edible, and visually appealing display.