HARVESTING BUNCHES AND FLOWERS

The Hop Shop’s long-term expertise with drying flowers has enabled us to produce top quality bunches of lavender for domestic and floristry use. We primarily use the ‘Folgate’ lavender variety for drying because of its consistent dark blue colour. The ‘Grosso’ lavandin variety is taller and sturdier with a stronger scent but a paler grey-blue colour. All the bunches are harvested by hand at the end of June when they are in prime condition and immediately dried to preserve their quality. The group of local Indian ladies who help with the harvesting arrive every day in their traditional costume – the colour of their saris providing a brilliant contrast to the lavender.

Fresh-cut lavender is available from the shop throughout the lavender season and can, by prior arrangement, also be despatched by 24-hour courier. Dried bunches are despatched from store throughout the year.

Flower heads for lavender bags or cooking are cropped slightly later in the season than the bunches. They are cut, dried and then rubbed to separate the flowers from the stalks. The dark blue lavender (L. angustifolia) varieties are ideal for sleep pillows and for culinary use and calming herbal teas. The strong-scented lavandin (L. x intermedia) is the best choice for ‘lavender’ bags for scenting linen and for use as a moth and insect repellent. It is also used in our ‘Morning Booster’ and ‘After-Dinner Peppermint’ teas.

Lavender heads can be combined with wheat grains to make ‘lavender warmers’ – small pillows or wraps that can be heated and are popular for helping to ease aching joints or muscles. The wheat retains the heat while the lavender gives off its soothing aroma.