How to Grow Hidcote Giant Lavender
Hidcote Giant Lavender
Lavandula angustifolia 'Hidcote Giant'
shrubHidcote Giant is a compact, hardy lavender variety prized for its deep purple flowers and silvery-green foliage. It is a larger cultivar of the popular Hidcote lavender, growing 24-30 inches tall with intensely fragrant spikes that bloom throughout summer. This woody perennial is excellent for borders, containers, and cutting gardens.
When should you plant Hidcote Giant Lavender in your zone?
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Example Hidcote Giant Lavender timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant Hidcote Giant Lavender
Around Apr 17Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
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Tend & protect
Late spring–summerWatering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
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Harvest Hidcote Giant Lavender
Late summer into fallBefore the first fall frost (≈ Nov 8)
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Hidcote Giant Lavender dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives in zones 5-9; hardier than many lavender varieties
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Get my Hidcote Giant Lavender timeline →Growth Stages
Establishment
4-8 weeksYoung plant with silvery-green foliage establishing root system
Water regularly for first 4-6 weeks after planting. Once established, reduce watering. Avoid overwatering, which causes root rot.
Vegetative Growth
Spring through early summerPlant develops dense, compact mounding form with narrow leaves
Apply light fertilizer in spring if soil is poor. Typically no feeding needed in fertile soil. Mulch with gravel rather than organic matter.
Budding
4-6 weeksTight purple buds form at stem tips in early summer
Avoid fertilizing with high nitrogen, which promotes foliage over flowers. Ensure consistent sun exposure.
Flowering
8-12 weeks (June-August in most zones)Dense spikes of deep purple flowers bloom profusely, intensely fragrant
Deadhead spent flowers to encourage continued blooming. Cut flowers for arrangements in early morning when fragrance is strongest.
Post-Bloom & Dormancy
Fall through winterFlowers fade; plant may have secondary bloom or enters semi-dormancy depending on climate
In late summer/fall, cut back plants by one-third to maintain shape and encourage bushiness. Avoid heavy pruning in fall in cold zones; prune in spring instead.
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
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Hand-pick beetles; use neem oil spray in early summer; encourage natural predators
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Increase humidity with occasional misting; spray with water to dislodge; use insecticidal soap if severe
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Use yellow sticky traps; spray neem oil; encourage beneficial insects
Uses
Culinary Flavoring & Teas
CulinaryLavender flowers can be used to flavor baked goods, honey, vinegars, and herbal teas. The flowers impart a floral, slightly sweet and herbaceous taste. [source]
Aromatherapy & Relaxation
MedicinalEssential oil and dried flowers are widely used in aromatherapy for stress relief, sleep improvement, and relaxation. Linalool, the primary aromatic compound, has demonstrated calming properties. [source]
Fragrance & Potpourri
HouseholdDried flowers are excellent for sachets, potpourri, drawer liners, and closet fresheners. The intense fragrance persists for months when properly dried. [source]
Cut & Dried Arrangements
CraftLong stems and dense flower spikes make Hidcote Giant ideal for fresh cut arrangements and dried floral crafts, wreaths, and decorative bundles. [source]
Pollinator Support
WildlifeLavender is a premier nectar source for honeybees, bumblebees, and butterflies throughout the blooming season, supporting pollinator populations. [source]
This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.
Harvest Tips
Harvest flowers in early morning after dew dries but before heat of day, when fragrance is most concentrated. Cut stems just as flowers begin to open for fresh bouquets or drying. Dry by hanging bundles upside-down in a warm, airy location for 2-3 weeks. For dried buds, harvest just before flowers fully open.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Hidcote Giant is named after Hidcote Manor Garden in Gloucestershire, England, one of the most influential 20th-century gardens, where the cultivar was first selected.
- 🌱 The name 'Hidcote Giant' refers to its size relative to the original dwarf 'Hidcote' variety—it produces larger flowers and taller stems while remaining more compact than species lavender.
- 🌱 Lavender's fragrance intensifies in heat and drought; stressed plants often produce more fragrant oils, making it a plant that thrives on neglect.
Gardening Terms
New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:
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