The flowers last through summer and the flowering bushes provide a beautiful sight if not cut back until the end of summer. Traditionally the stems and flower heads are cut, hung in bunches and dried in a cool dark place. These bunches are used as decoration or to put into linens and cupboards to delicately scent clothing and repel months and insects. The dried bunches are often stripped of the flowers and these flowers are used as pot-pourri and packed into sachets to be used in clothing drawers. The dried flower bunches are used extensively for craft work either singularly as lavender wreaths or with other dried flowers and foliage.
Lavender oil is obtained from the water distillation of the lavender flowers.
The flower and some of the stalk is cut and transported to a still. Commercially steam is now used rather than water and the vapour from the steam passing through the lavender is collected and condensed. The lavender oil is lighter than water and floats on the top of the water. The oil is separated from the water. Lavender oil is used in perfumes, aromatherapy, cosmetics, soaps, veterinary products and flavourings.