The period immediately following lavender’s main bloom is the most significant time for the plant’s long-term health and the quality of the next season’s harvest. This stage requires specific maintenance actions that determine whether the semi-shrub will remain compact and floriferous or become leggy and woody over time. Proper pruning and preservation techniques ensure the plant maintains a healthy, dense structure while maximizing the yield of fragrant flowers for use throughout the year. This maintenance is the most important cultural practice to guarantee an abundant flush of blooms in the following season.
Immediate Post-Bloom Pruning
The post-bloom phase requires two distinct types of pruning. The first is simple deadheading, which involves removing the spent flower spikes down to the first set of leaves below the bloom. The second, and more consequential, is the structural prune, which prevents the lavender from developing an undesirable, overly woody base.
Lavender is a semi-woody subshrub. If left unpruned, the soft, green growth will eventually harden into unproductive, bare wood. This woody growth will not regenerate new stems or flowers, leading to a sprawling, hollow center and a shorter lifespan for the plant. The goal of this structural trim is to remove about one-third of the plant’s total height, cutting only into the soft, leafy growth.
Pruning should occur in mid-to-late summer, after the main flush of flowers has finished, but at least six weeks before the first expected frost. The precise location for each cut is just above a cluster of two new leaves on the stem. It is imperative to avoid cutting into the old, brown, leafless wood, as lavender does not readily sprout new growth from this older tissue. Performing this hard trim into the green growth stimulates lower branching. This helps the plant maintain a compact, rounded mound and sets the stage for vigorous bloom production next year.
Harvesting and Preservation Techniques
Harvesting the material to be preserved is a separate action from structural pruning and requires specific timing to maximize the concentration of aromatic essential oils. The optimal time to cut stems for drying is just as the flowers are fully open but before they begin to fade or turn brown. This typically happens in the morning after the dew has dried, but before the midday sun has caused any of the volatile oils to dissipate.
For long-stem bundles, cut the stems as long as possible. Gather handfuls to create small bunches roughly the diameter of a quarter to allow for proper air circulation. Use a rubber band to secure the stems tightly, as they will shrink as they dry. Suspend the bundles upside down, which helps the stems dry straight and ensures the essential oils are retained in the flower heads.
Air drying must take place in a cool, dark, well-ventilated space, away from direct sunlight, which would bleach the color and reduce the fragrance. The drying process typically takes two to four weeks, concluding when the flower buds feel crisp and the stems snap easily.
Storing Dried Lavender
Once fully dry, the buds can be stripped from the stems by gently rubbing them. They should then be stored in an airtight container, like a glass jar, away from light to cure and maintain their potency for long-term use.
Practical Uses for Spent Lavender
The preserved lavender buds and stems from the harvest offer a variety of practical applications for the home. The dried flower buds are commonly used to create small sachets, which can be placed in linen drawers or under pillows to naturally scent fabrics and promote restful sleep. Lavender’s relaxing properties are attributed to compounds like linalool and linalyl acetate, which are released as the buds dry.
For culinary purposes, the buds of English lavender varieties are often steeped into simple syrups, teas, or used to infuse sugar for baking. The intense floral flavor should be used sparingly, as it can quickly become overpowering. The dried stems themselves can be repurposed by bundling them for use as aromatic kindling in a fireplace or grill, imparting a subtle fragrance to the surroundings or food.
The whole dried flower heads can also be incorporated into homemade potpourri mixes to refresh indoor air naturally. Furthermore, the preserved buds can be infused into carrier oils, such as sweet almond or olive oil, over several weeks to create a fragrant, soothing body oil for topical applications. The versatility of the dried material ensures that the benefits of the plant extend long past the blooming season.