Popular How To’s
Photo by Renko Aleks / Shutterstock.com
Lavender is not only pry for its long - last , fragrant flowers but also for its ability to thrive with very piffling criminal maintenance . But one task that ’s essential to keeping your lavender shrubs robust , goodish , and attractive is regular pruning .
Although pruning lavender is a fairly well-off task that any gardener can dominate , it ’s authoritative to know the right proficiency and timing so you do n’t do more harm to your plants than adept . By following these basic rule of thumb , you will minimize stress to your industrial plant while encouraging them to put on a prolific display of bloom year after year .
WHEN TO PRUNE LAVENDER
By cutting back your lavender at least once a year , you will stimulate the outgrowth of lush new foliage and flowers and aid to hold your works ’s shape and comprehensiveness . However , some lilac shrubs will benefit from multiple prunings throughout the growing time of year , depending on their age and vigor . Here ’s a breakdown of the optimal timing for your pruning Roger Sessions .
Illustration by Olga Akbarova
HOW TO PRUNE LAVENDER: 3 STEPS
TOP LAVENDER PRUNING MISTAKES TO AVOID
WHAT HAPPENS IF YOU DON’T PRUNE YOUR LAVENDER?
Not pruning your lavender can have pretty serious consequence , both in terms of your plant ’s appearance and length of service . Because lavender is a semi - woody shrub , it has a tendency to develop elongated , woody stems if plants are n’t clip regularly . Not only do these scraggly stems raise fewer bloom , they finally straggle outward , leaving an vile hole in the eye of your plant .
What ’s more , if you neglect to crop your industrial plant for several geezerhood , the woody fundament will continue to increase in size of it , making it impossible to fix your plant to its former show . Unpruned lavender plants also have shorter lifespans because they are more susceptible to fungal diseases and break .
Sweet Romance ® Lavender . Photo by Proven Winners
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Can lavender be cut back to the ground?
Many fledgling lavender agriculturalist lose their flora by cutting them completely down to the earth in late fall or early spring , like they do their herbaceous perennial . While you wo n’t spite your plant by shearing it back by as much as one - half , you should not cut low into old Grant Wood . Always leave behind several inches of green growth .
Can I prune lavender during the growing season?
lighter pruning can be done throughout the growing time of year to advance bushier growth and prolong blooming . you could also trim your lavender while in bloom if you want to harvest the flowers for culinary uses , potpourri , or bouquets .
Should you deadhead lavender?
In addition to pruning , nip off off the bloom of your lavender after they have faded can also be beneficial . Not only will this help keep your plants sizeable , it will also encourage more flowers and draw out the bloom stop .
Can woody lavender be saved?
Once lavender plants become woody and recede their desired shape , regenerate them to their bushy appearance can take some time and forbearance . begin by cut back your plants in the saltation , cutting back to the lowest emerging bud . In midsummer , prune again to form your plants into nice , symmetrical mounds , which will help oneself to abbreviate straggly increment . Just be sure to wait several calendar month between pruning so your plants have a luck to recover . If your rehabbing efforts are n’t successful , your plants may be too far go and will need to be replaced .
Should I prune lavender the first year after planting?
Even a first - year lavender plant can benefit from pruning , but you wo n’t need to cut it back as dramatically as you would a more mature , overgrown flora . By pass on your lavender a light pruning the first year after set , you’re able to shape the plant more easily , promote shaggy-coated growth , and reduce the formation of woody stems .
