Frequently Asked Questions

Answers to the questions we're asked most often. Can't find what you need? Email us at holmfirthnursery@gmail.com.

Ordering & dispatch

Are you open over the winter?

Yes, we're open and taking orders all winter. Orders placed now will be dispatched in March 2027, ready for spring planting.

Why won't my order be sent straight away?

Lavender is best sent and planted when the weather starts to warm up in spring, so we hold winter orders and dispatch them in March 2027. Ordering now reserves your plants.

Delivery

Where do you deliver?

We deliver to mainland UK only. Because of biosecurity and logistics restrictions, we can't currently deliver to Ireland, including Northern Ireland.

How much is delivery?

Delivery is £8.99 per order, or free on orders over £50.

Pot sizes & multi-buys

What pot sizes do you sell?

  • 9cm pots: young plants, about 10–15cm from the base of the rootball to the top of the foliage. They're the best value for hedges and larger plantings (£5.99 each).
  • 1 litre pots: bigger plants for quicker results (Hidcote and Grosso).
  • 2 litre pots: well-established plants for instant impact (Hidcote, Munstead, Little Lady, Arctic Snow, Melissa Lilac, Imperial Gem, Papillon and Phenomenal).
  • 5 litre pot: our largest plant, Grosso.

Do you sell lavender in packs or in bulk?

Yes. As well as single plants, we offer:

  • Lavender Mix: 2 Hidcote, 2 Rosea and 2 Edelweiss in 9cm pots (6 plants)
  • Hidcote & Munstead mix: 12 x 9cm pots
  • Lavender Mystery Box: 6 plants chosen by us
  • Bulk quantities of 9cm Hidcote, Grosso and Arctic Snow (from 70 or 100 plants)
  • Bulk deals on Hidcote in 1 litre pots (from 32 plants) and Grosso in 2 litre pots (from 36 plants)

Bulk packs are the most economical way to plant a long hedge.

Hedging

How many lavender plants do I need per metre of hedge?

For compact English lavenders such as Hidcote, Munstead, Little Lady and Thumbelina Leigh, plant 3 to 4 plants per metre. For the larger Grosso, 3 plants per metre is plenty. For a single row, multiply the length of the hedge in metres by the number of plants per metre.

Which lavender is best for a hedge?

Hidcote is our most popular hedging lavender (about 40cm tall, deep purple). Little Lady (about 35cm) is our recommended variety for easy-to-maintain low rows and hedges. Munstead (about 60cm) gives a little more height. Grosso (about 80cm) makes a large, very fragrant hedge.

Choosing a variety

  • Hidcote (English lavender): our most popular variety, with traditional deep purple flowers. Very fragrant and easy to maintain. About 40cm.
  • Munstead (English lavender): taller than Hidcote, with lighter purple flowers and bright green foliage. About 60cm.
  • Little Lady (English lavender): small and compact with light blue flowers. Ideal for low rows and hedges. About 35cm.
  • Thumbelina Leigh (English lavender): a dwarf lavender, up to 30cm, with short purple spikes. Great for containers and edging paths.
  • Arctic Snow (English lavender): compact, with pure white, fragrant flowers in late summer.
  • Melissa Lilac (English lavender): dark purple buds open to a lighter mauve for a two-tone effect.
  • Imperial Gem (English lavender): compact and bushy, with rich purple flowers and silver-grey foliage. Excellent for low hedges.
  • Grosso (lavandin): the largest lavender we sell, about 80cm, and the most fragrant variety we've found. Great for filling large spaces.
  • Edelweiss (lavandin): tall, with white flowers, up to about 80cm. A lovely backdrop to purple varieties.
  • Phenomenal (lavandin): more compact than Grosso, with darker flowers and silver foliage that stays dense and bright through winter.
  • Papillon (French lavender): mauve petals like butterfly wings. It flowers earlier than English lavender.

All the lavender plants we sell are sold as culinary herbs.

Planting & care

Where should I plant lavender?

Choose the sunniest spot you have. Lavender needs full sun and well-drained, neutral to alkaline soil. On heavy or clay soil, dig in plenty of grit or sharp sand before planting, or grow lavender in a raised bed or pot. Lavender dislikes sitting in wet ground far more than it dislikes the cold.

When can I plant my lavender?

You can plant it as soon as it arrives in spring. Plant at the same depth as it sits in the pot and water it in well.

How often should I water lavender?

Water new plants regularly through their first spring and summer, whenever the soil has dried out, until they're established. After that, lavender in the ground rarely needs watering except in long dry spells. Plants in pots need more regular watering in summer, but never leave them standing in water.

When and how do I prune lavender?

Trim your lavender every year straight after flowering, in late summer. Remove the spent flower stalks and cut back about a third of this year's growth to keep the plant compact and bushy. Don't cut into old, bare wood, because it often won't regrow.

How do I look after lavender in winter?

English lavenders and lavandins (such as Grosso) are hardy in the UK. The main winter risk is wet, cold soil, so good drainage matters most. Raise pots on pot feet so they can drain, and keep them on the dry side. French lavender such as Papillon is less hardy, so give it a sheltered, sunny spot or keep it in a pot that you can move somewhere protected in very cold weather. Leave pruning until after flowering, not in winter.

Is lavender good for bees?

Yes. Lavender flowers are a magnet for bees, butterflies and other pollinators.

Gift cards

Do you sell gift cards?

Yes. Gift cards are available in £10, £25, £50 and £100, are delivered by email and never expire. Buy a LavenderWorld gift card.

Damaged plants & returns

What if my plants arrive damaged?

If your goods arrive damaged or faulty, we'll replace or refund them in full. Please contact us within 7 days of receiving your order. For full details, see our refund policy.

Contact us

How do I get in touch?

Email us at holmfirthnursery@gmail.com or use our contact form. We don't take orders or enquiries by phone.