“Dutch,” “Grosso,” “Fred Boutin,” and “Seal” lavenders all make excellent lavender wands. Be sure to make lavender wands immediately after picking; don’t wait a half hour. Pick enough flowers to make one or two wands; then do it. Otherwise the stems may start to dry out and break when they are bent. (They can be stored temporarily in a bucket of water.)

To make a traditional wand, you need an uneven number of long-stemmed lavenders—usually thirteen or fifteen (for beginners). Place a rubber band around the bunch just below the blossoms. Carefully fold the stems over the blossoms (pinching the stems gently with your fingers or a pair of pliers at that spot first helps stems bend without breaking) and tie a long narrow ribbon (1/4” or 3/8”) over the rubber band.

Weave the ribbon around the bunch over and under the stems eight or ten times until you have completely covered the now-hidden blossoms. Tie off the ribbon and make a bow. The weaving requires a little digital dexterity; a crochet hook or similar device can be helpful. Keep the weave tight as the stems and blossoms will shrink as they dry.

When you have completed your wand, hang it in a warm, dark, dry place (attics are great) for a couple of weeks to dry. Store dried wands in a closed container or plastic bag to retain the aroma.