Lavender 'Hidcote Blue'

(Lavandula angustifolia)

Light Full Sun
Plant type Perennial
Hardiness zones -20°F, 5-9
Height 12-24"
Width 18"
Accent Bloom in spring, fruit in early-mid July through the fall
Foliage Evergreen.  Erect, compact habit
 
• Drought tolerant
• Deer resistance
• Attractive to bees, butterflies and/or birds.
• Lavender bushes reach full maturity by the third year.


PLANTING

Planting time: in spring and fall through October.  The plant needs to be established two weeks prior to the first frost.
Light: Full sun.  At least six hours of sunshine a day.
Soil: Well-drained, neutral to alkaline soil. Normal,  loamy.
Spacing: 18"


MAINTENANCE

Watering
• Weekly during dry spells.

Fertilizing
• Once a month with all-purpose balanced plant food.
• In early spring, side dress plants with compost, keeping it away from the crowns of the plants.
 
Pruning
• No matter when you decide to trim lavender, only do it once a year or you could damage the plant's ability to produce blooms.
• Cut 1/3 off the top and around the bush in September to promote root growth before the winter.  If your lavender bushes are very large and overgrown, you can trim them back by 1/2 of the plants instead of just a 1/3.  Cut down to an inch above the wood.  Don't cut into the woody part of the shrub. Make sure to leave all of the wood intact, since cutting it could injure the plant.
• In between yearly trimmings, it will benefit your lavender bushes to trim back the blooms once they have finished blooming. This will result in more blooms forming.

PROBLEMS

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HARVEST

• Cut 1/3 of plant off the top.
• Lavender should be cut when the flower have just opened in spring. This is the time during which they're most fragrant and beautiful.
• Hang it upside down to dry in a cool, dark spot in your home.