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Planting, Growing, and Caring for Lavender Flowers
Recipes
Cooking Notes
Although edible, lavender should be used sparingly in recipes. The herb has a lovely perfumed flavor, but it can be too strong or bitter if overused.
The herb is often used in herbes de Provence mixes, and leaves can be chopped and added sparingly to some sauces, shortbread biscuits and baked goods, ice cream, teas, and lemonade.
See our recipe for lavender scones and honey-lavender syrup, as well as a recipe for making your own lavender-herb tea.
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We are moving in a and I would like to take my lavender with me, what is the best way to go about potting the plant?
Goodness, you are moving a lot of plants, based on other comments. I’m not sure we can get to them all, but here are tips on transplanting lavender. Move in cool weather when the plant is dormant. As with most plants, gently dig a wide circle to get as much of the root ball intact as well as the soil around it. You can also cut back the lavender by a third before transferring.
Assuming you’re putting in a pot temporarily, just at soil to pot and ensure te root ball is at the same depth as it was before. Pat soil around root ball but don’t cover the crown! Water.
Our lavender plants were put into the ground a week and a half ago and now look like they are dying. We have kept them watered. Any suggestions, thank you
Hi, Jan. It may in fact be the watering that is causing your lavender distress. When first planted, lavender needs only about 1 gallon of water a week. Once established, the plants require even less water.
Is lavender deer, rabbit and squirrel resistant? I ask because my yard has become an animal cafeteria.
Yes! We have a terrible deer problem and they never bother my lavender plants. They leave my marigolds alone, too, but they do love holly hocks. Good luck!
a plant hopefully will repell rabbits, squirrels
George,
You’re in luck! Deer, rabbit, and squirrel eschew lavender due to its strong aroma, and the same goes for most aromatic herbs. For how to prevent your yard from being a buffet, see our guide to Which Animals Are Eating Your Garden and How to Keep Them Out!
—The Editors
In the Portuguese countryside its common to see clothes lines suspended over or near lavender gardens to scent the clothes while drying.
That would be incredible! I would love to sleep on line-dried, lavender-scented sheets—pure heaven!