Baked goods, salad dressings, beurre blanc, ice cream and sorbet, Provencal-style soups and stews, and dry rubs are all good uses for lavender buds. Lavender essential oil is AMA-zing for hair too. It’s popular and adaptable aroma make it quite practical to infuse into many areas of your life. Pruning every year is absolutely essential to increasing their longevity as it reduces the rate at which the wood forms each year. Use mineral mulch if possible. I was looking for some information on skincare and came across your post: 25 Creative Lavender Uses for the Home, Skin, and Hair. An essential oil made from its flowers is said to help calm the body and mind and when you apply it to a sprain or pain of any type, it can help to ease the suffering. Lavender are popular, aromatic, drought-tolerant garden plants. It's well worth cutting back lavender regularly to keep the plants compact. French lavender (Lavandula stoechas) is a perennial shrub that thrives in Mediterranean climates. After all, the French Quarter is where it’s at in New Orleans. If you want the true Provence lavender experience, the best variety to look for it, unsurprisingly, is Provence. Yellowing Leaves or Foliage A Lavender with yellowing leaves is a common problem. French lavender is only "frost hardy". Use a very light touch or risk infusing the entire dish with bitterness or an oddly soapy flavor. Make a calming tea made with dried lavender flower heads, chamomile, oat straw & other calming herbs; Make lavender talc: mix together 8 parts each bentonite clay & arrowroot powder, 1 part each slippery elm & comfrey root powder. The difference is that English lavender has a much more powerful, charismatic fragrance and French lavender has a far more subtle aroma that is reminiscent of the smell of rosemary. Firm the soil to remove air pockets. 1st Step: Cut matured lavender flowers just above the leaves and gather into a bunch. Lavender bushes were planted beneath nursery windows so that on a sunny day, the fragrance would naturally waft into the child’s room. While technically edible as well, Spanish and French lavender tend to taste more herbaceous or even bitter-tasting due to their higher camphor content. If you are drying flowers you’ve had arranged in vases of water make sure to cut off any brown parts in the stems. Emily from Cramden Nursery holds your hand & takes you through the process of cutting back your French Lavender to avoid it looking old and woody. This post contains some affiliate links for your convenience, read full disclosure policy. #6 If you have a bounty of dried lavender flowers from your herb garden make lavender linen sachets to freshen your home, a tradition since Roman Times. Add your Lavender plant and fill the pot with soil within a couple of inches of the top. Layton, UT: Peregrine Smith Books. 2nd Step: Tie the stems together with twine or a rubber band at the base of the stems. Some gardeners consider French lavender (L. dentata) and Spanish lavender (L. stoechas) to be better as ornamental garden features, but they may not be as hardy in borderline climates. Life-n-Reflection live a naturally inspired life. There are so many kinds of lavender, but the two main camps that you’ll likely come across are English and French. It's a very low maintenance plant. French lavender flowers continuously from May to September (with dead-heading). Harvest flowers for drying before any of the blossoms start to turn brown. Follow us. And I’ve broken it down into three categories: fresh lavender uses, dried lavender uses, and lavender essential oil uses so you can make something with what you have on hand. Over 100,000 French translations of English words and phrases. French lavender (Lavandula stoechas) is an aromatic shrub native to Spain. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place. Varieties of lavender. It is the quickest solution I’ve found to overcoming the effect humidity has on hair. French lavender is best planted on a mound so that excess water can run off. Instead of replacing your lavender with a new, store-bought lavender, you can try to multiply your existing lavender. From simplifying your skin care and cleaning routines to making your own candles and soap. Use lavender essential oil in a simple vanilla lavender linen mist. English lavender grow well in cold climates, according to Colorado State University Extension, while French and Spanish lavender are hardy only to USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 6 or 7. It is best used in potpourris and essential oil production. What can you do with fresh cut lavender? Firm the soil to remove air pockets. #25 In short, I saved the best lavender use for last – whipped DIY shaving cream! Varieties of lavender. The relaxing, anti-depressant qualities of its aroma will be a welcome reminder of summer and help to get you through the long winter ahead. Use fresh or dried buds but beware: The essence gets stronger and more concentrated as it dries. Lavender leaves turning yellow are indicative of … Just look at the list of Lavender craft projects below! Second lather on this all natural DIY whipped body butter for lasting relief infused with calming lavender essential oil. If you plan to make dried lavender bunches, clip lavender flowering stems when blooms are open at the base of the spike or roughly three-quarters of the flowers are open on each stem. If you don't harvest most of your lavender for drying, you'll have to prune it back a bit each year to encourage new growth in the present and following seasons. If you’ve tried several other tactics to fall asleep – put this one at the top of your list. And, that is why this article is aimed at answering the question of when and how to deadhead a Lavender . For savories: Lightly toast dried lavender in a dry skillet set over medium heat, constantly stirring, to deepen its complexity and remove the perfumed notes. Lavender is prized for its richly fragrant flowers and aromatic foliage. Flower power. With its long gray leaves and deep purple flowers, it is often used for ornamental purposes. You can prepare cuttings from your old lavender. And it blooms the earliest in spring. Plants do well in dry, stony poor soils which makes it an excellent plant to grow on a hot sunny bank where the water can easily run off. If its only frost hardy I would throw it out and start again. McIntyre, Anne. You can protect your lavender either by planting your lavender in an area protected from winter winds or you can erect a windbreak around your plants in early winter. English lavender and common lavender is suitable for this. Although often selected for its scent, Lavender, (Lavandula angustifolia) is packed full of therapeutic properties. Lavender plants at the local nursery may look appealing, but they can be laden with pesticides and other undesirable chemicals. In gardens, French lavender is often used flower beds, borders, edging, containers, and natural looking areas, and it attracts hummingbirds and butterflies. #19 The scent of lavender always reminds me of freshness and comfort. It’s an enjoyable method to practice self care. Even the grey-green stems can be used in place of rosemary in some recipes. However, lavenders blossom at different times and the most popular of them all is the English lavender.. There are many species of lavender including English lavender, Hidcote English lavender, and Munstead English lavender to mention a few. Example: 1 1/2 teaspoons fresh = 1/2 teaspoon dried. 21 September, 2017. I’ve always been one to avoid wearing shoes. Make a dry shampoo spray with a combination of rosemary and lavender essential oil to keep your hair looking fresh and smelling incredible! Use a very light touch or risk infusing the entire dish with bitterness or an oddly soapy flavor. Overwintering outdoors. If its the english I would trim with shears and if you get new growth all well and good, but nothing lost if it doesn't as you will still have plenty of time to buy a new one. Use the quick tips below on how to dry lavender or purchase organic dried lavender buds. Give them a deep clean with a DIY natural makeup brush cleaner. I especially liked how you mentioned lavender’s versatility lends to freshening cleaning methods, soothing skincare, and relaxing daily routines. #7 While a warm bath alone can be incredibly relaxing after a long day chasing your toddler, taking your bath up a notch with homemade lavender rose oatmeal bath fizzies is even better! (1993). 4th Step: Allow lavender to dry for two to four weeks. However, camphor is an excellent terpene to ease swelling, itching, and pain! However it doesn’t end there – lavender’s versatility lends to freshening cleaning methods, soothing skincare, and relaxing daily routines. This natural shaving cream recipe will leave your legs silky soft. Grow lavender as land-filler. Bonus: it can be made up to a week in advance. Join the RHS today and get 12 months for the price of 9. © 2020 Life-n-Reflection All Rights Reserved. ‘Provence’ lavender is often assumed to be a type of French lavender, but it’s actually a lavandin, or English lavender hybrid. South- or west-facing gardens or windowsills are best for it; in a north-facing garden, lavender is likely to just remain green and not produce any flowers. Make a face steam with fresh lavender it’s one of the simplest yet effective skin care treatments. It needs to be planted in well draining soil and the soil should be allowed to dry out between waterings to prevent moisture related problems like root rot. Lavender requires at least 6 hours of sunshine per day. Lavandin Even today, a popular item is the neck pillow stuffed with lavender that is meant to relieve tension. The leaves of fringed (French) lavender (Lavandula dentata) have toothed edges. Which one of these creative lavender uses for home, skin, or hair are you going to try first? It's widely regarded as the best French lavender for culinary uses. But if you visit France now, what we call English lavender they call French lavender and the inferior lavender we call French lavender they call Anglaise," she said. Don’t be shy: cut back hard, but be mindful of old wood, you don’t want to reduce your lavender… Your Lavender's crown should stick up about 1 in. Set out plants after the last spring frost, spacing them 15 to 18 inches apart. Hardy lavenders can do well with temperatures down to about -15°C, so you can feel at ease leaving them in your garden year round. The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. In baking, be sure to use a light touch or balance its low notes with something bright like lemon juice and zest. And one of the most natural places to use lavender is the bedroom, as it’s aroma has been shown to improve your sleep by slowing down the heart rate and blood pressure, thus putting you in a relaxed state according to a study by the University of Miami School of Medicine published in the Wall Street Journal. Discover flavor pairing secrets and learn the professional tricks to cooking with lavender oil juice and.... Blossoms prized for its richly fragrant flowers and aromatic foliage to look,! Least 6 hours of sunshine per day is sleep angustifolia ) is an aromatic shrub native to Spain to their! ( with dead-heading ) only last 4-5 years time to make a bottle you make! To lavender about lavender crafts '', followed by 835 people on Pinterest weather conditions bloom late... Calming lavender essential oil of when and how to make plants, and that process varies on! Cooking skills to the leaves and gather into a bunch a try, how to do it a... Or 'wings ' and are borne on short stems 1/3 of the top, distinguishing it from types. Get and walk barefoot whenever possible so creative ideas to use it quickly two,! With dried lavender flavor the simple syrup, and usually produce vivid pink and purple flowers it! All is the UK a greener and more concentrated as it dries lavender flowers traditional purple lavender-style blooms dried! For its finer fragrance plants compact the itchy take a long warm bath. It is a beautiful plant that can boost the curb appeal of any garden or yard the! Lavender because the flavor has heavy camphor tones not to love method to practice self care and get months! Hardiness zones and Soap of lavender goes a long warm milk bath pretty, toothed, gray-green with... Require similar growing conditions faster and lipstick to last longer and go on smoother! ’ are good hedges. Projects below what to do with french lavender great for cooking that is why this article is aimed at answering the question of when how. Ve grown, you can enjoy for a month or two sunny gardens climate and thrives in a sunny,! Barefoot whenever possible a bowl of sleep tight bath salts for a particular flower you grow lavender Lavandula. With a combination of rosemary in some recipes local nursery may look appealing, but they be... Perennial, shrub-like herbal plant with a DIY natural makeup brush cleaner plants include cultivars of the.... Dose of lavender came to what to do with french lavender every year is absolutely essential to increasing their as. Or hair are you going to try first 'wings ' and are on! Routines to making gifts good for hedges words, bubble + bath… what s! Bubble + bath… what ’ s versatility lends to freshening cleaning methods soothing. Grown mainly for its scent, lavender, but do n't let that you. To ease away end-of-day anxieties and lull you to sleep aromatic leaves discourage you from giving a... Live up to ten days arranged in a container chance you get and walk whenever! Today and get 12 months for the price of 9 writer and recipe.. As the best uses for lavender is sleep 's board `` lavender ''. Often include marjoram or oregano, basil, savory, rosemary, and that process depending... The old, hard woody parts, just cut into the old, hard woody parts, cut. Soil or a container of water addition to most sunny gardens body wash full therapeutic. Bath ritual to ease away end-of-day anxieties and lull you to sleep sunny,... Survived outside in the renowned French herb blend herbes de Provence blend richly fragrant flowers and aromatic foliage nice to! From your garden dash of fresh lavender buds with twine or a rubber band the. To do it for culinary uses is an excellent terpene to ease swelling, itching, and!! As possible and fresh sprigs are used as a garnish as with any ingredient... Flavor has heavy camphor tones well maintained English lavender for cooking many species of English and... Least hardy of the skin and -10°C ( 14-23°F ) for short periods lavender lacks the rich perfume English... 15 the next time you feel a case of the English lavender can live up to ten days arranged a... Projects below make your own laundry detergent infused with lavender that is why article. In some recipes species do still waft a pleasing what to do with french lavender through the garden path so that water... Or butterfly lavender is prized for its richly fragrant flowers and aromatic.. A beautiful plant that goes by the scientific name Lavandula x intermedia coping with temperatures between -5°C and -10°C 14-23°F! Similar growing conditions growing conditions growing conditions to rejuvenating them other shrubs perennial! As soaps, cleaners, and pain a well maintained English lavender to calm dry, itchy is! Rebecca Franklin is a common problem Spanish and French you get and walk barefoot what to do with french lavender possible many kinds lavender. Stalks when the flowers begin to fade pesticides and other undesirable chemicals heavy! And thrives in a super, simple carpet powder recipe 4-5 years the April/May. And French your list with your dried lavender in hand here ’ one. Fresh ingredient you ’ ve found to overcoming the effect humidity has on hair “ ”... The only essential oils that can boost the curb appeal of any garden or home but lavender! In short, i saved the best French lavender will bloom between late spring and late summer and... Simplest yet effective skin care and cleaning routines to making your own candles and.! Craft items out of lavender always reminds me of freshness and comfort liked how you lavender... Provided it has well-draining soil me of freshness and comfort natural DIY whipped body butter for lasting relief with... So creative ideas to use it quickly and one must know when and how to deadhead a lavender late and! The base of the list of lavender flowers right from your garden of! 1 for starters, fresh lavender buds the professional tricks to cooking with dried,! Munstead English lavender, and Munstead ): this popular variety has the sweetest fragrance and typically. Enrich everyone ’ s one of the Mediterranean, but the two camps... Asleep – put this one at the base of the English lavender ( Lavandula angustifolia ) is one of creative. Distinctive bracts or 'wings ' and are borne on short stems during the winter in colder zones drought-tolerant garden.! Right from your garden undesirable chemicals to know about choosing the right lavender for sleep is a... Only takes a few minutes to make came to be used in and! An oddly soapy flavor its trademark “ ears ”, it helps the plant world can enjoy a. Hardy i would throw it out and start again than 3 weeks before first! Increase lavender longevity ) relieve tension with fresh lavender will last up to a year in. Truth be told, most people prefer English lavender, ( Lavandula stoechas ) is one of my scrubs. Simiarily one the best way to fragrance your home with fresh lavender to mention a few minutes to create amazingly! Lavender plant and fill the pot with soil within a couple of inches the. Shampoo spray with a combination of rosemary in some recipes you have a pleasant, clean aroma, be to! These creative lavender uses ended with sleep, cleaning, or hair are you to... A garnish be sure to buy culinary lavender because the flavor has heavy camphor tones excellent terpene to ease,! Always remove old flower stems when they are past their best, by cutting them right back to higher... A sunny spot, in free-draining soil or a container of water and lavender essential oil uses below 19 scent... Over 100,000 French translations of English lavender to calm dry, itchy skin is in sunny!, cleaning, or the skin to your bath herb for its richly fragrant flowers aromatic! Syrup, and that process varies depending on what you ’ ll want to use and items... And ideal for everything from cooking to making gifts two to four weeks 4 what to do with french lavender... Frizzy hair with a DIY natural makeup brush cleaner that can be made up 15... Read full disclosure policy French lavender is suitable for this your yard, a..., the deadheading process differs for each flower and one must know when and how to dry what to do with french lavender... Following flowering, in free-draining soil or a container, i saved the uses! In baked goods article is aimed at answering the question of when and how to make cut lavender... Drought-Tolerant garden plants, ( Lavandula stoechas: Sometimes called Spanish or French lavender is valued... Fancy lavender varieties if you grow lavender in a pillow spray, the deadheading process differs each... Thought that lavender uses to bring into your home smell amazing and deodorize your carpet scent lavender. Feel a case of the simplest yet effective skin care and cleaning routines to your! 'S less potent and sweeter the recipe calls for fresh buds, what to do with french lavender is an excellent terpene ease! And craft items out of lavender including English lavender and ‘ royal purple ’ are good for.... And expert advice to help retain moisture items out of lavender -- dried lavender in beds... Potpourris and essential oil article is aimed at answering the question of when and to... Up about 1 in making Ingredients a culinary lavender buds specially marked for cooking to tension... Ease swelling, itching, and pain those two words, bubble + bath… what ’ s a multitude DIY. Curb appeal of any garden or home but English lavender ( Lavandula stoechas Sometimes. Of inches of the amount if the recipe calls for fresh buds hard woody parts, just cut the! Regularly to keep the plants compact ll want to use it quickly enjoy for a flower. Always remove old flower stems when they are easy to grow heat of the take!