lavender hidcote planting instructions Royal Velvet Lavender Plant

lavender hidcote planting instructions Royal Velvet Lavender Plant*begins shipping in April* Transform your garden with the luxurious, velvety deep purple blooms of our Royal Velvet Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia Royal Velvet). Introduced in the 1980s by the Van Hevelingen Herb Nursery, this award winning English lavender cultivar is renowned for its rapid growth, long lasting blooms, and superior tolerance to wet winters and humid conditionsoutshining many other varieties like Hidcote with its longer flower stems

*begins shipping in April*

Transform your garden with the luxurious, velvety deep purple blooms of our Royal Velvet Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia ‘Royal Velvet’). Introduced in the 1980s by the Van Hevelingen Herb Nursery, this award-winning English lavender cultivar is renowned for its rapid growth, long-lasting blooms, and superior tolerance to wet winters and humid conditions—outshining many other varieties like Hidcote with its longer flower stems and darker, more vibrant color retention when dried. Each order includes a healthy 72-cell size plant, ideal for gardeners craving a classic, culinary-grade lavender with exceptional fragrance and performance in USDA Hardiness Zones 5-9 (with some sources noting hardiness down to Zone 4b) at an unbeatable price. Grown with meticulous care, this vigorous plug features a robust root system and aromatic gray-green foliage, primed to flourish in borders, herb gardens, or containers.

Royal Velvet Lavender earns its regal name with elegant, long-stemmed spikes of dark navy blue to violet-purple flowers (3-4 inches long) that sway gracefully from early to late summer—often reblooming in August or September after deadheading or harvesting the first flush. Its intense, sweet, pure floral scent (with low camphor content) wafts through the air, captivating the senses while luring bees, butterflies, and other pollinators to your yard; it's a top choice for therapeutic uses like aromatherapy, stress relief, and culinary applications such as flavoring baked goods, teas, or jellies.

A true performer in well-drained soils, this variety thrives in dry conditions but impresses with its adaptability to humid summers and wet winters—making it a standout where other English lavenders falter. Compact and tidy at 24-30 inches tall and 30-36 inches wide, it's perfect for low hedges, rock gardens, mass plantings, or as a fragrant culinary herb, delivering enduring beauty, aroma, and utility with minimal effort. Its deer and rabbit resistance, plus superb color retention when dried, make it a beloved choice for both novice and expert gardeners.

Key Features

• Healthy Plugs: 72-cell size plugs with strong, vigorous root systems for quick establishment and rapid growth.
• Velvety Deep Purple Blooms: Long, fragrant flower spikes (3-4 inches) ideal for fresh cutting, drying, or bouquets; darker and longer-stemmed than Hidcote.
• Fragrant and Versatile: Classic English lavender scent with low camphor; great for potpourri, essential oils, aromatherapy, and culinary uses like baking or infusing.
• Hardy and Adaptable: Thrives in Zones 5-9 (to 4b) with excellent tolerance to humidity, heat, wet winters, and poor soils; drought-tolerant once established.
• Pollinator Magnet: Draws bees and butterflies; deer- and rabbit-resistant for hassle-free gardening.
• Low Maintenance: Long bloom time (early summer to late summer, with potential second flush), evergreen foliage in mild climates, and strong disease resistance to common issues like root rot.

Shipping Information Your Royal Velvet Lavender plant ships directly to you in mid to late April, ensuring it arrives vibrant and ready for spring planting. Each plug is thoughtfully packaged to preserve plant vitality during transit, so it hits your garden in top form.

Planting & Care Instructions

• Planting: Select a spot with full sun (6-8 hours daily) and well-drained soil. Space plants 30-36 inches apart for air circulation. Dig a hole as deep as the root ball and twice as wide; create a raised mound for superior drainage to prevent root rot. Prefers alkaline soil (pH 6.5-7.5), sandy or loamy textures.
• Watering: Water moderately during the first season to establish roots, then sparingly—let soil dry out fully between waterings to mimic lavender's native dry habitat; extremely drought-tolerant once established.
• Soil: Prefers sandy or loamy soil with a pH of 6.5-7.5; avoids heavy clay or soggy areas. Amend with gravel or sand if needed for better drainage.
• Pruning: Deadhead spent flowers mid-season to promote rebloom; lightly trim in early spring (by one-third) for shape and to remove any winter dieback. Every third year, prune back to 8 inches to stimulate new growth.
• Winter Care: Mulch base with gravel in Zone 5 for protection while keeping soil dry; generally hardy without fuss, with good wet winter tolerance.

Why Choose Royal Velvet Lavender? Indulge in the timeless elegance and intoxicating fragrance of Royal Velvet Lavender, a standout English lavender with deeper purple blooms, longer stems, and better humidity tolerance than classics like Munstead or Hidcote. This 72-cell plug is a fast-growing, drought-tolerant gem that brings velvety purple drama and silvery foliage to your space, hardy across Zones 5-9 in sunny, dry spots. Whether for stunning displays, culinary delights, dried crafts, or pollinator support, it's the sophisticated lavender that elevates any garden effortlessly.

Order your Royal Velvet Lavender Plug today and crown your landscape with purple perfection this spring!