Lavender Flowers

Botanical Name: Lavandula dentata
Cultivation: Full sun in alkaline to neutral soil
Colors: Blue
Uses: A wonderful dried flower scent
Regions: Mountaineous regions of India, Coastal regions of Indian Ocean, France, Spain, Australia

Drying of Lavender
These flowers are cut when they are in full bloom.after cutting, make small bunches and tie them with a thread or rubber band. Then hang them upside down in a dry, dark, open, airy place.

Lavender can also be dried by leaving the seed heads on the plant until fully ripe. After that air dry them. When fully dried they can be given a coating of clear varnish. Apply a mild non-disinfectant over it and hang in a warm, dry, airy place. When completely dried remove the dry outer skin. The inner fruit body must then be soaked in clean water for a few days to help remove the soft inner tissue and seeds and then dried and bleached in the sun or with hydrogen peroxide.

Uses of Lavender
Lavender is a wonderful dried flower scent with the qualities to relax any recipient. They are popular for its sweet aromatic fragrance and gorgeous color. They are magic ingredients in dried arrangements and sachets. They are placed in decorative bowls to enhance the decor of any house. Dried lavender blossoms are used in perfumes, and potpourris.

Dried lavender flowers are used for making sugar, frozen lemonade and jelly. They are versatile dried herb for cooking. They enhance both flavor and appearance of food. The potency of lavender flowers increases with drying. Dried flowers and seeds are used in herbal sleep pillow and baths for soothing and calming frayed nerves. They also have some aromatherapy uses.