From mid-May until well into August, French Provence is a single sea of purple flowers. The months of July and August in particular are considered the main flowering period, during which numerous lavender festivals take place in smaller and larger towns. The lavender blossom is a popular destination for tourists every year.
When is the lavender blooming in Germany?
The lavender blossom in Germany begins between mid-May and July and lasts until August, depending on the variety and weather. Crested lavender blooms earliest, while other varieties show their flowers from June/July.
Flowering time in Germany
Provence is located in southern France, where the Mediterranean climate is significantly warmer and also offers more hours of sunshine than here in the rather cold Germany. The conditions are only similar in the milder German wine-growing regions. Therefore, the growing conditions, overwintering and, of course, the flowering period of lavender are quite different: In cold northern Germany, the plants bloom for a shorter time, and they also develop fewer essential oils and therefore do not smell nearly as intense as the sun-drenched lavenders in the wine-growing regions - or even in Provence. The specific flowering time depends on the variety.
Flowering time of the individual varieties
The lavender blooms both earliest and longest; depending on the weather, it opens its calyxes in mid to late May and blooms until August. For this reason, the variety, which remains quite small, is also often used for pot cultivation. The other lavender varieties only bloom from June / July and, in German climates, are usually gone by the end of July / beginning of August. If you prune the faded lavender, you will encourage the plant to bloom a second time.
Using the dried flowers
For further use in the kitchen and household, you should harvest the flowers when only the middle panicle is in bloom. At this point the concentration of essential oils is at its highest. The flowers are best tied into airy bunches and hung upside down in a warm, dark and dry place. Although there is often advice to initially leave the flowers in the blazing sun, this is now discouraged. The volatile aromatic substances are quickly lost due to the radiation, as is the case when drying in the oven.
Tips & Tricks
It is best to harvest the lavender flowers in the midday sun. On the one hand, the essential oil content is at its highest at this time and, on the other hand, the plant has dried out. Moisture - such as from morning dew - can cause the lavender to mold when it dries.