Once the Lavender blooms become withered, brown and dry, it’s time to harvest them. The flowers can be used to make oils, lotions, and fragrant sachets. To harvest Lavender blooms, use a pair of small scissors or pruners and cut the faded flower spike straight across near the base.
Be sure to leave some of the foliage on the stem. When harvesting the blooms, pick the flowers on a dry day when the humidity is low and the oils in the plant are concentrated to their fullest potency.
Cut the stem off directly below the flowers. Shake any excess soil or debris off the stem and then trim the stem to a length appropriate for whatever use the dried flowers are being put to. The Lavender flowers can be used in culinary and medicinal recipes.
They can also be used in potpourris, as a garnish, to make a tea, or as a flavoring in baked goods. Lavender is known to help relax and reduce anxiety, so dried Lavender blooms can be placed in a sachet to provide peace and relaxation.
Can you use dead lavender?
Yes, you can use dead lavender. Dried lavender is actually more fragrant than fresh lavender and can last for many years when stored in a cool and dry place. You can use dead lavender for a variety of purposes, from sachets to potpourri.
The dried buds can be used in potpourri to add a subtle touch of color and scent. The flower petals can be scattered in a drawer for fragrance, and the stems can be burned and the ashes used to enhance a magical spell.
If your dried lavender buds have lost their color, it can be restained using food coloring and a few drops of water. You can also use dead lavender in homemade soaps and facial creams, as the lavender oils and aroma are still present in the dried plants.
Should lavender be dead headed?
Yes, lavender should be dead headed as it helps to promote fuller and healthier growth. This can be done by snipping off the spent flowers with sharp scissors or garden clippers just above the foliage when the flowering is finished.
This helps to keep the plants from setting seed and encourages more blooms over a longer period of time. Additionally, deadheading lavender helps to keep the plants neater, more aesthetically pleasing, and prevents them from becoming leggy and unattractive.
When should lavender be cut back?
Lavender should be cut back in the late winter or early spring. Before the new growth begins to emerge, you should prune the plant, removing any dead or weak stems as well as any flower heads that remain on the plant.
Cutting back in the winter or early spring helps to keep the plant healthy, maintains its size and encourages new growth. Additionally, if you are cutting lavender for the dried flowers, it is best to trim off the flower heads immediately after flowering in late summer or early fall.
With regular pruning, you will have an attractive, blooming lavender plant every year.
What happens if you don’t prune lavender?
If you don’t prune lavender, it can cause a range of problems. Over time, without pruning, lavender can become leggy and lose its shape. This happens as the plants expand and no longer channel their energy into growing stems and leaves.
The plants also become more prone to pests and diseases, as the overcrowding of stems and leaves not only affects their shape and size, but also their level of health. Additionally, unpruned lavender produces fewer flowers, as the energy instead is focused on maintaining an oversized plant.
This can diminish the garden’s aesthetic appeal and scent. Therefore, to ensure that your lavender garden looks and smells its best, regular pruning should be done in the winter.
Do you cut back lavender after it blooms?
Yes, cutting back lavender after it blooms is an important step in maintaining the health and vigor of the plant. When the flowering stalks of lavender are beginning to look dried out and withered, that’s the time to step in and prune them away.
Pruning eliminates the spent blooms and encourages the lavender to produce new growth and bloom again. The best times to do this pruning are early summer and fall, but you can also give your lavender a light-touch pruning throughout the season.
Be sure to use sharp garden scissors or pruning shears and make clean cuts approximately one-third of the way down the flowering stems. Avoid cutting into the woody part of the plant, as this could damage the lavender.
In addition to pruning, lavender also benefits from deadheading — the removal of faded flowers — to promote re-bloom and promote healthy growth.
Should I deadhead lavender UK?
Yes, you should deadhead lavender in the UK. Deadheading is an important technique for helping the plant look its best and encouraging blooming. For lavender, the process involves removing spent flowers as soon as possible after flowering.
This helps to prevent the plant from going to seed and directs the energy of the plant towards producing more flowers. After flowering, use small, sharp pruning shears or scissors to remove the flowers.
Be sure to cut at an angle sloping away from the remaining foliage to ensure water runs off. Deadheading should occur over the entire season and the best time to do it is when the flower is fully open and the petals have just begun to drop.
This will help to keep the plant looking neat and cultivate more flowers.
What is dried lavender good for?
Dried lavender has a variety of uses, and is especially popular in aromatherapy and herbal medicine. Lavender has a sweet, aromatic smell, and its essential oils are thought to have healing properties.
In aromatherapy, lavender is used to promote feelings of calm and relaxation, and can help relieve stress and anxiety. It can also be used in massage oils, linen sprays and potpourri.
In herbal medicine, lavender is thought to have antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties, and can be used to treat a variety of conditions including insomnia, muscle aches, headaches, and digestive disorders.
Lavender can also be used to repel insects and treat skin conditions such as acne and eczema. Lavender is used in some herbal teas, can be added to baths to naturally scent the water, and can be used to flavor a variety of dishes.
Dried lavender is also used in crafting, and can be made into wreaths, added to wedding bouquets and sachets, and used to make unique cards and decorations. Lavender can also be used to naturally color fabrics, and is a popular addition to homemade soaps and lotions.
Why is my lavender turning GREY?
Lavender turning grey could be due to several reasons, such as environmental stressors or fungal diseases. Environmental stressors such as too much or too little water, cold temperatures, or too much sun exposure can cause the vibrant color of lavender to fade to a greyish hue.
Additionally, fungal diseases, specifically gray mold, can cause lavender to turn gray. Gray mold (Botrytis cinerea) is a fungal disease that can affect many types of plants, and it is commonly found on lavender.
Symptoms of gray mold infection are generally easy to spot including grey foliage, brown lesions, and scattered grey fuzz. In some cases, lavender turning grey could also be caused by the presence of chemical residue or fertilizer burn.
If you suspect that your lavender is suffering from any of these conditions, it is recommended that you consult a professional for advice on how to treat your plant correctly.
Can you cut lavender back hard?
Yes, you can cut lavender back hard. This can be a great way to keep it looking neat and tidy and to ensure that it blooms well. To do this, it should be done in late winter or early spring just before it starts to come into active growth.
When cutting it back, it is best to cut the lavender back to about six to eight inches from the ground, making sure to remove any old, dead or spindly growth in the process. It is important to avoid cutting too closely to the crown of the plant.
After the hard pruning is complete, a general light trim can be done throughout the season as the lavender grows to tidy it up and promote new blooms. However, it is important to remember that hard pruning should only be done in the winter or early spring, as it can cause significant damage to the plant if done during the summer.
Does lavender grow on old wood?
Yes, lavender can grow on old wood. Lavender is a perennial flowering shrub, meaning it typically grows back every year from its roots and can live for several years. Because it is very hardy, it does not typically require added care to survive, and can often grow in soil that contains a lot of old wood.
In fact, lavender prefers soil that is slightly acidic, nutrient-rich, and well-drained. The soil should also have some organic matter, such as bark, compost, or peat moss, to retain moisture. Lavender does tend to grow best in soil that does not contain too much old wood, as too much will decrease the soil’s drainage, leading to root and plant rot.
Regardless, lavender can survive and even thrive in soil with some old wood and with the right care and light, should produce bright purple flowers in abundance.
Will lavender rebloom after cutting?
Yes, lavender will rebloom after cutting. Lavender is a long-lasting, low maintenance flowering plant. When the spent blooms are left on the plant, new growth and flowers will come out of the same stem they once were on.
While lavender will rebloom after cutting, it is important to note that it is best to cut older and spent blooms off of the lavender just below where the classic orbs of flowers were. This allows the lavender to produce more blooms in future cycles.
Additionally, the cutting of lavender should only be done on the dryer days with low humidity. This will help the flowers to last longer and provide the plant with more energy for future cycles of growth.
Can I prune lavender in March?
Yes, you can prune lavender in March. Pruning lavender encourages it to produce more flowers, so pruning may be beneficial for a healthier and fuller-looking bush. It is best to prune lavender in late winter or early spring, just before the new growth begins.
If you prune your lavender too late in the season, you may reduce its flowering potential for the next year. The ideal time frame for pruning lavender is when the plant is dormant, usually around the first of March.
When pruning, remove any weak or diseased stems, deadheading the flower heads, and cutting back overcrowded shoots back to one or two leaf buds. When pruning lavender, it is also beneficial to thin out the branches.
This will help to increase air circulation and discourage mildew and rot. Pruning your lavender with the right timing, technique, and tools will leave you with a healthier, fuller, and showier-looking lavender plant.
How do you prune lavender in early spring?
When pruning lavender in early spring, it’s important to use a sharp pair of pruning sheers or scissors and to remove only the dead or damaged growth. Start by trimming off the dry, brown tips that have built up over the winter season.
Remain aware of maintaining a generally rounded shape and avoid thinning out the plant too much. If pruning lavender for shape and size, cut back the stems and branches about 3/4 of their length, making sure to keep the leaves intact.
Once you have finished pruning, use the trimmings to fertilize the soil or add to a compost pile. It’s also a good idea to add a layer of mulch to help retain moisture. Lastly, be sure to provide your lavender plant with enough sun and water to keep it healthy and strong.