Snadger
The only thing to remember when cutting back is not to cut right back to very old wood. However if you regularly prune they will be fine and can withstand quite a bit of aggression. I believe the lavenders at the Jersey Lavender Farm have been in a number of years and they seemes quite closely spaced.
http://www.jerseylavender.co.uk/
Gives you info about the farm etc.
For those with a real passion for cooking with Lavender I'd recommend this
http://www.jerseylavender.co.uk/byte...4&cartUserID=0
It is organised by season and the lavender is used with sweet and savoury dishes. It includes a section on store cupboard ingredients such as lavender sugar and syrup.
If you want to avoid the probs of neat essential oil infuse a load of flowers in some good quality (ie cosmetic/aromatherapy grade) sunflower oil or for real luxury jojoba.
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