Fresh-Cut Lavender: A Rare Treat of the Season
Jun
When most people think of lavender bundles, they picture the dried bouquets found in gift shops and farmers markets. Fresh-cut lavender, however, is surprisingly difficult to find.
The reason? Drooping.
Even when harvested and stored under ideal conditions, most lavender varieties begin to droop within hours of being cut. Instead of standing tall, the flower head bends over as moisture leaves the stem. This is especially common in long-stemmed Intermedia varieties—the same varieties we use for our dried lavender bundles.
Fortunately, drooping isn’t a problem once lavender is dried. We dry our lavender upside down on racks that keep the stems straight, preserving the beautiful appearance that makes dried lavender so popular.
Shorter-stemmed Angustifolia, often called English lavender, tends to hold up better as a fresh-cut flower. We harvest a very small amount of our Angustifolia for fresh bundles and we pick just before the buds begin to open.
That’s why fresh-cut lavender is only available for a brief window each season.
At Lavender Brook Farm, we offer fresh-cut lavender bundles only during the earliest part of our harvest season. This year, we’ll have fresh bundles available at Hershey’s Market on Chocolate on June 6 and likely June 13. After that, availability depends on whether a second bloom—something our Angustifolia lavender often produces—coincides with a market date.
Tips for Enjoying Fresh-Cut Lavender
• Choose shorter-stemmed Angustifolia (English) lavender for the best results.
• Harvest when buds are full and just about to open.
• Keep bundles small—about one inch in diameter or less—to reduce the risk of mold.
• Place stems in a vase or jar with about ¼ inch of water. Change water daily
• Keep arrangements in a cool location away from direct sunlight.
• Enjoy your fresh lavender for 3–4 days before drying or composting.
Fresh-cut lavender is one of the most fleeting pleasures of the growing season. If you’ve never experienced its fresh fragrance straight from the field, be sure to stop by our Market on Chocolate June Markets. They are only available for a couple of weeks each year.
