Hidecote Officinalis Vera

Class

Dicotyledons

Division

Angiospermae

Family

Lamiaceae or Labiatae

Order

Lamiales

Genus

Lavandula

Species

angustifolia

Description

Perennial evergreen ornamental plant with globose habitus. Appreciated for its spike-like inflorescences with fragrant tubular flowers that create a scenery of considerable landscape relevance. Suitable both for creating homogeneous compact masses and in mixed compositions with other flowering species or with decorative foliage.

Variety description

The hidecote lavender plant is characterised by its fragrance and long flowering time. It is a very fast-growing cutting plant. This cultivar has long flower stems and is suitable for harvesting as a medicinal plant. It does not have a very intense petal colour.

Curiosities and special features

Lavandula angustifolia, as well as being widely used as an ornamental perennial for gardens and terraces, is also used in herbal medicine, perfumery and cosmetics for the extraction of essential oil. The inflorescences can be harvested and dried in a dry, shady place to perfume, inside cotton or linen bags, laundry as our grandmothers used to do!

Origin and distribution

An autochthonous species from the northeast of Spain to Italy. Today present in temperate climate areas with an assortment of varieties that differ mainly in the height attained and the colour shade of the inflorescences.

Leaf

The tomentose, aromatic and persistent Leaf has a needle-like lamina.

Flowering period

The long flowering period lasts from mid-spring to early autumn and lasts between 120 and 180 days, bringing colour to your outdoor green spaces for a long time.

Inflorescence

Inflorescence spike consisting of numerous small flowers.

Leaf colour

Homogeneous grey-green hue.

Plant height

The plant height varies from 0.45 to 0.6 m, perfect both for creating homogenous compact groups and in mixed compositions with other ornamental plants of different heights to create perspective views with high landscape value.

Lifespan

Perennial evergreen plant.

Where to plant

Versatile in its use, it is suitable for lending elegance and naturalness as a bedding plant , flower beds, borders, tubs.

Stem

The stems are herbaceous; the variety has no thorns.

Flower

The flower is simple in form, small in size, with a funnel-shaped corolla and single-coloured petals. It is arranged in medium-sized spike-like inflorescences. It flowers from mid-spring to early autumn, with a flowering period of between 120 and 180 days. It is very fragrant, with an intense aroma. It is attractive to beetles, bees, butterflies and bumblebees.

Growth

Young Lavandula angustifolia plants show medium to vigorous growth, which must be maintained with age by regular pruning not during the summer period.

Plant habit

Variety with an upright habitus, ideal for creating dense and colourful homogeneous masses.

Branching

It develops abundant branching.

PH

It prefers a soil or medium pH between 5.8 and 6.5.

Soil preparation

Before transplanting in mid-spring, carry out light digging to remove any weeds, previous crop residues and bulky stones; if the soil is too compact and has poor drainage capacity, it is advisable to bury sand. To improve drainage of excess water, as lavender is sensitive to water stagnation, lightly berm the soil by creating a raised bed.

Sun exposure

Suitable for different types of exposure such as half-shade, full sun. Prefers sunny locations, sheltered from intense wind.

Ideal climate and temperature

The ideal temperature is between 18 and 25 °C for optimal flowering. The vital temperature is between 5 and 38 °C

Use

Due to its habit and spectacular flowering, it is one of the most popular plants in:

Medicinal / phytotherapeutic field Outdoor ornamental Profumeristic field

Hardiness

A variety of medium hardiness, it tolerates summer heat and temporary drought.

Soil

The ideal soil for use in flowerbeds is peat; for planters and pots a substrate for ornamental plants based on peat and perlite is recommended.

Difficulty

After proper establishment in the new planting site, cultivation of the variety is fairly easy.

Growing tips

A few cultivation tips for better growth vigour and lush flowering:

Balanced fertilisation Expose the plant to maximum light Avoid over-watering Keep the substrate dry at low temperatures Prefers warm and dry climate

Combinations with other plants

Ideal for compact and colourful ornamental compositions, also associated with flowerings with different heights in order to create perspective views; the colour combinations can include shades of the same hue or an alternation by choosing from the different varieties available, composing designs or patterns according to personal fantasy. Colour spots or simple borders can be formed with other species such as Gaura lindheimeri and Senecio cineraria. Even in a smaller space such as planters or boxes, it can be inserted alternately with plants with green or variegated foliage or by combining species with flowers in different shades.

Planting

We recommend an average bedding density of 8 plants per square metre in order to ensure proper development of each specimen and thus obtain formally proportionate compositions. We suggest positioning the seedling on a raised bed with the collar outside the soil surface, making sure that the root ball is well moistened without allowing it to dry out before transplanting. After planting, water well but avoid waterlogging.

Propagation

Propagation is mainly by apical cutting.

Watering

When transplanting, assist the seedling to ensure proper development in the new site by keeping it at a constant humidity free of stagnation. Afterwards, allow the soil or substrate to dry out slightly between one watering and the next, avoiding both dryness and over-watering. Strong water shocks favour the development of root rot while waterlogging causes yellowing of the vegetation. Avoid watering the aerial part of the plant but supply water directly to the soil or substrate.

Fertilising

After planting in the new planting site, usually three to four weeks after transplanting, from spring until autumn and preferably in the morning, apply a specific organic fertiliser for ornamentals to the base of the plant, without exceeding the frequency and doses applied. Lavender fears over-fertilisation, particularly in conjunction with water stress.

Edibility for humans

Species ornamental, not edible.

Tip

Do not reduce the plant's vegetation in hot weather.