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When and how to prune: Prune right after the first flowering and again in late August after the last flush has faded. Cut off about 2/3 of the plant’s height or to just above the bottom two sets of leaves on each stem. Take care not to cut into the woody part of the plant which can cause damage.
When and how do you prune lavender?
Cut back lavender before winter to create a tidy mound that will give structure to the garden over the coldest months. Lavender is an evergreen shrub, so it retains foliage year round. It’s best to do your first prune before the fall, but hardier varieties can respond well to a fall pruning before the winter.
How do you prune overgrown lavender?
The plant cannot produce new growth from the woody parts. When you’re pruning woody lavender plants, it’s also a good idea not to prune all of the plant at the same time. Instead, work slowly, trimming back each branch, but never cutting into the brown wood. You can trim branches back by one-third or one-half.
What happens if you don’t prune lavender?
An annual pruning is an important step for long-lasting lavender (Lavandula spp. and hybrids) plants. Without it they grow a large, lanky, woody base that can split open — it looks bad and shortens the plant’s lifespan.
Should I deadhead lavender?
Lavenders thrive if pruned back fairly hard but never cut back into old wood as most lavender plants won’t re-grow from this. Dead-head French lavenders throughout the summer as they’ll flower continuously from May to September. Deadheading will also encourage more flowering through the season.
Can you hard prune lavender?
Right after flowering, or by the end of September at the latest, give your plants a very hard trim, as shown in our lavender trimming video. Cut all the new growth back down to 1-2cms above the older, woody part of the stem, leaving between one and three leaf buds.
What is the best time to prune lavender?
Left to their own devices, lavender can become woody and ungainly, so to keep plants compact and attractive, it’s best to trim them annually in late summer, just after flowering has finished. Remove any spent flower stalks and about 2.5cm (1in) of leaf growth.
Can you prune lavender in October?
It is advised that you prune your lavender back at the end of September and beginning of October, before the first frosts start to appear. You also want to be pruning dead heads from old flower buds so more energy is put into growing new, stronger and more vibrant colored flowers for the next season.
Should you prune lavender in the first year?
When to Prune Lavender If you cut back lavender in its first year, it will put energy towards growing leaves rather than roots and this will make it a weaker plant in the long term. The best time for when to prune lavender is in the spring just as the new growth is starting to come in.
Can I prune lavender in March?
The first trim needs be done by early March. This is the trim that tidies up your plants for summer and encourages lots of flowers. Lavender that was planted last year must not be spared! If the weather turns frosty early, it won’t hurt to cover up your plants for the first few frosts to give them a bit more time.
Why is my lavender turning GREY?
Lavender can turn gray because of frost damage or as a result of a fungal disease, caused by over watering or slow draining soils. Usually the fungus botrytis spp is responsible for lavender leaves turning gray although there are a few pathogens that may cause lavenders to turn gray.
How do you make lavender look good?
For most lavender varieties, pruning is best done during spring, summer, or fall after harvest. It’s important to prune a few months before winter sets in to prevent frost and breakage from the snow. Regular pruning twice a year gives your plant time regenerate fresh flowers and stay in good shape for the next season.
What do you do with lavender after it blooms?
Cut lavender stems back after they finish flowering for the first time to encourage a second flush of blooms. Shape your plant as desired, cutting into green growth about 1 to 3 inches below the flowers. Garden Gate Magazine suggests keeping the outside stems lower than the middle stems. Do not cut into old wood.
Where do I cut back lavender?
When and how to prune: Prune right after the first flowering and again in late August after the last flush has faded. Cut off about 2/3 of the plant’s height or to just above the bottom two sets of leaves on each stem. Take care not to cut into the woody part of the plant which can cause damage.
What happens if you prune lavender too much?
If you cut back too far, you can kill the plant. These are best pruned right after bloom in late spring. If your lavender bush is looking ragged, it may not have been pruned for a few years. If it is several years old and has never been pruned, it may not survive heavy pruning.
