It is native to the hot, dry climate of the Mediterranean region, and so it thrives in warmer climates and is hardy to zone 8. They are not the only shrubs with a halo of beige. The technique in this post is for English lavender, not French lavender but the method is similar. The Spanish varieties can be pruned by as much as a half but be sure to leave non-woody stems and green leaves. So, you can follow these steps whether you’re pruning English lavender like mine, or if you have Spanish or French lavender. If you prune lavender too early, you could be cutting off the new growth before it starts, or worse – you might end up over pruning the plant. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. The branches can be pruned back heavily, to within three sets of leaves on the stems. If you cut back too far, you can kill the plant. Since they are starting to go dormant, you don’t want to encourage new growth in the fall. Spanish Lavender has tight, deep purple blooms that are shaped like pine cones. In mild climates, you can even see flowers all year round. It’s important to get into the habit of cutting back lavender plants on a regular basis. Your email address will not be published. Pruning lavender is all about ensuring that this perennial plant thrives year after year. Pruning strategy: Cut heavily in autumn to reduce the size just before winter. In our part of the country, that means we start pruning the fields as soon as we’re done with the essential oil distillation at the end of September, with the aim of finishing by mid-October. Keep trying, just be sure to cut it back after blooming to keep it full. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Generally the best time to prune lavender is once the flowers have faded, so now sounds good. So, if you only have time to prune lavender once per year, do it in the spring. After the plant is done blooming in the summer, cut back 1/3 to 1/2 of the new growth, being careful not to cut any branches down to the leafless wood. I did very little maintenance (except pruning)on the English Lavender yet it flourished (at a different location although climate is similar). Here are detailed instructions on how to prune back your Lavender to keep its shape, encourage repeat blooming and to maintain vigor. I don’t recommend pruning in the fall, because it will trigger new growth – which can be killed off by an early freeze. You can also subscribe without commenting. Identification: The whorls of the flower spikes are tightly compacted together. Don’t worry, cutting back lavender plants is not as scary as it sounds, and you’ll get the hang of it in no time! Spanish Lavender is sensitive to frost and, if kept out in the open, can survive winter in very mild regions with good protection. If you're growing lavender as a hedge, prune lightly in summer. Now that you know exactly how and when to prune lavender, your plants will live a long and healthy life. Fragrant lavender ( Lavandula angustifolia ) supplies year-round garden interest, with aromatic flowers in summer and gray-green evergreen foliage.When you prune lavender plants, you encourage strong growth, help shape the plant and harvest the lavender for various uses.The small shrubs grow in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 5 through 9, where they thrive … Follow the instructions above in the section titled “Tips For Pruning Lavender In Summer”. My green thumb comes from my parents, and I've been gardening most of my life. It’s important to prune a few months before winter sets in to prevent frost and breakage from the snow. When to Prune Lavender I live in North Georgia. I’m not sure how the weather is in your neck of the woods, but pruning encourages fresh new growth, which can be killed off by freezing fall/winter temps. I know pruning happens in spring, but should it also be done late August if there are still blooms? You have the option of cutting back your lavender or leaving the faded blooms on the plant. Required fields are marked *. I am not sure what to cut to reshape this plant. Lavender can be cut back to about two-thirds of their original size. Always make sure there are green leaves left on your lavender when you are done pruning. You have to be careful not to water it too much. French lavender (Lavandula dentata), flowers for most of the year so it can be hard to choose the best time to prune. I am going to cut it back this weekend (removal spent blooms) and wasn’t sure if I should cut off the portion of the bush that looks dead? Notify me of followup comments via e-mail. Prune only lightly after flowering. English lavender is the most common (and the hardiest), and it’s the variety that I grow. Here’s a post that is all about harvesting lavender for more details that might help to clear up the confusion for you. Cut off about 2/3 of the plant’s height or to just above the bottom two sets of leaves on each stem. Find new leaves before cutting back lavender plants. This is actually their dormant period. You can prune Spanish lavender by grasping the dead blooms with one hand and using clippers to cut them from the plants. The new leaf buds are very fragile and can easily break off when mishandled. The result will be an attractive, fragrant, gray-green shrub throughout the rest of the year. Only try this drastic pruning in the spring. Related Post: How To Dry Lavender From Your Garden. For most lavender varieties, pruning is best done during spring, summer, or fall after harvest. All content found on this website is copyrighted materials and any form of reproduction is strictly prohibited. Perhaps with careful pruning, yours will last longer. If you leave the dead stems too long, you might see them sticking out all summer, which doesn’t look very nice. But normally, it blooms, I cut it back, and it blooms another two or three times during the long summer. Here’s an article about how to care for lavender that you may also find useful. So, to avoid over pruning lavender, I recommend leaving the branches that you’re not sure about on the plant until it’s time for summer pruning. If you’re wondering how to prune lavender and when to prune lavender at the correct time, have no fear. That way, you will know exactly where to make your cuts. Eventually, as the lilac shrub ages, it will become too woody to be attractive. Is it okay/preferable to cut them down before the winter? But don’t worry, the basics of pruning are the same for all types of lavender, both in the garden or in pots. Learn How to Prune Lavender like a Pro Many people start to feel nervous about pruning Lavender plants. Hello Ms. Oliphant, Iâm a passionate gardener who loves growing everything from vegetables, herbs, and flowers to succulents, tropicals, and houseplants - you name, I've grown it! We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees through links to Amazon.com. Then get into the habit of pruning your lavender bush every year, and it should eventually fill back out again. If you’re too nervous to cut it back that far, then you can try deadheading lavender instead. Stems that are pruned down too far will never grow back. Learn How to Prune Lavender like a Pro Many people start to feel nervous about pruning Lavender plants. I would wait until spring to prune your lavender, rather than doing it in the fall. My brand new book Vertical Vegetables is now available for purchase!! Pruning lavender in late summer to fall helps open the plant’s interior to allow good air circulation and also removes some of the branches, which can ultimately help prevent winter damage. Spanish Lavender (Kew Red) This one got its famous name from the crimson-violet flower heads that have pale pink petals on top. Gardening – Australian Labradoodles – Chickens – Cambria Happenings – Backyard Hencam. Could it cause problems to do it this late if there is an early snow? I live and garden in Minneapolis, MN (zone 4b). Summer pruning, which helps to keep the plant looking nice and encourages more flowers, is optional. This year, along the coast, my Spanish lavendar did very poorly. Pruning lavender is not hard, but it’s important to know what you’re doing before you start in order to avoid over pruning. Step 3: Cut off any dead branches – You can cut any dead branches all the way down to get rid of them. Spanish Lavender blooms profusely in the spring and when it finishes it needs a good pruning. Here are the steps for trimming lavender plants in spring…. Overwintering. How to prune French lavender. They look similar to pictures in this article. I am new to gardening. Spanish lavender, or Lavendula stoechas, is just one of about 40 varieties of this fragrant herb. Pruning lavender regularly keeps them looking nice, encourages flowering, and prevents them from getting too woody or growing scraggly and sparse. This variety of lavender will bloom in summer and regenerate much faster than the English variety. "Pruning Lavandula stoeches (Spanish Lavender) can be a challenge in that in some regions it never stops blooming. Well it really isn't a big deal to get uptight about. Try to make the cut as close to the new leaf buds as you can. If not, then give it a little more time to grow. Once the weather warms and temperatures remain consistently above 60 degrees Fahrenheit each day, you can move your Spanish lavender plants outside. Step 1: Find the fresh new leaves on the stem – To figure out where to make the cut on each branch, find the spot where the new leaves are growing. Plus, cutting back lavender plants in the summer after they’re done blooming will likely give you more flowers. There are many woody branches so what do I cut and whastays? Spring pruning is much more precise of a job than pruning lavender in summer. For a fragrant addition to an herb garden or flower border, Spanish lavender (Lavandula stoechas) is hard to beat. For pruning purposes, there are three basic types of lavender: The first is English Lavender, lavandula angustifolia. Sometimes called \"rabbit ears\" because of the shape of its bloom spike, Spanish lavender grows in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 7 through 9 and is adaptable to most conditions, including hot, humid weather. Prune right after the first flowering and again in late August after the last flush has faded. However, I would strongly urge you to wait before you cut off any branches that look dead, especially if you’re new to pruning lavender. Thought I’d try Spanish for something different but it blooms once and blooms are short lived. Before you start cutting back lavender plants, take a close look at your plant to make sure there is plenty of new growth. It is still flowering from the perimeter but is dead and ugly at the center. Well it really isn't a big deal to get uptight about. How To Grow Lavender From Seed & When To Plant, How To Prune Russian Sage: Step-By-Step Instructions, How To Prune Chives & Deadhead The Flowers, How To Prune Tomatoes For Maximum Production, Here’s a post that is all about harvesting lavender, Here’s an article about how to care for lavender, Lasagna Gardening 101: How To Make A Lasagna Garden, 7 Easy DIY Potting Soil Recipes To Mix Your Own, How To Make Potting Soil For Indoor Plants, Terms Of Use, Disclaimer & Privacy Policy. I prefer to prune lavender into a compact grey-green shrub and I am sometimes rewarded with another flush of blooms. French lavender is shorter-lived and less hardy, so more likely to be affected by frost or poor weather. You don’t have to be as precise with your cuts for summer pruning, so you can go ahead and use hedge pruning shears or even a electric hedge trimmer to make quick work of trimming lavender bushes in the summer. Regularly prune the stem that bears flowers. Really pretty, blooms like crazy but has become a bushy mess. Expect your Lavender plant to live 20 years or more. ð. It is rather short-lived (about 4-5 years) then has to be replaced. Try to avoid cutting back to old wood as the lavender may never recover. So you might find that those branches that look dead in early spring may end up growing in the summer. Always be sure to leave some fresh green leaves on all of the stems. If you want to grow more plants, be sure to keep some of your lavender cuttings from your summer pruning. Hi. Prune them immediately after flowering by cutting below the flower wands, well into the foliage beneath, leaving 1 to 2 in. French Lavender has looser-looking, light purple flowers. Lavender can be cut back to about two-thirds of their original size. All of this information is listed below. One important thing to keep in mind whenever you’re pruning lavender is to never cut the woody stems below the leaves. Pruning the old flowers off Lavender is done every year. The only difference is that English lavender can handle a harder pruning in the summer than French or Spanish lavender can. If there’s a bunch of scraggly new leaves at the top of the stem, find the spot where the thick fresh growth starts to get rid of all the scraggly bits on top. You can prune Spanish lavender by grasping the dead blooms with one hand and using clippers to cut them from the plants. For example, L. stoechus cultivars need pruning in summer, right after the first flowers; this will protect the plant from winter snowfall. Many times this will be towards the bottom of the stem, so carefully move any debris or other branches out of the way until you find it. And you will get to enjoy all those yummy smelling lavender flowers year after year. Dead growth can safely be pruned from the plant at any time during the year. Your email address will not be published. It really doesn’t make much difference in the performance next season. Here are detailed instructions on how to prune back your Lavender to keep its shape, encourage repeat blooming and to maintain vigor. If you get into the habit of regular pruning, it should be easier to manage the size of your plant year over year. It flowers for very long, exactly since late spring until fall. If there’s still no growth on them by then, it’s safe to say they are dead, and you can remove them. Previously I had English lavender, which would bloom two or three times a year. Pruning lavender is important in keeping a lavender plant producing the type of fragrant foliage that most gardeners seek. This easy-to-grow shrub thrives in a sunny spot, in free-draining soil or a container. How to grow lavender. Summer pruning is good for shaping lavender plants, keeping them full and compact, and it helps to delay woody growth. Try to avoid cutting back to old wood as the lavender may never recover. One recommendation would be to prune it at least once a season (Early Summer is best), removing stray growth and shaping the plant back to a manageable size. But spring pruning is very important to get rid of the ugly winter damage and encourage fresh lavender growth. It's quite hardy and can be cut back by two thirds of the shrubs size. If lavender isn’t pruned regularly, it will become woody and produce fewer fragrant leaves and flowers. In Mediterranean climates, there is a lack of rain during the summer, and Mediterranean plants have learned to survive with little water until the rains begin again in the fall. Cut back by 1/3 to 1/2 stem length, or to a few nodes above old wood if present or the base. It’s definitely something you need to keep up on. Yes, Mary. Most of the Mediterranean plants in my garden have followed suit and are less than brilliant this early July. To deadhead lavender, simply remove all of the dead flower spikes, cutting them down to the tops of the main branches. Spanish Lavender Information. The reason you want to wait until you see new leaves on the plant before trimming lavender in spring is because that way you will know exactly where to make your cuts. My lavender plant before pruning in spring. Pruning heavily every year will help slow down the formation of wood and extend the vigor and lifetime of your plant. How do you prune lavender? Ideally, pruning lavender in spring and fall is a great idea, if … Cut back lavender just above the new leaves. Just when I got ready to prune at the end of the summer my lavender bloomed again. As I mentioned above, trimming back lavender in summer is totally optional. Twice a year pruning will keep your plant healthy and compact. Be careful when you’re cutting so that you don’t accidentally cut or break off any of the new leaves. The best time to prune back lavender is after it has bloomed, most often in spring or early fall. Or, like my husband, you can take a small hedge clipper and cut the shrub into a rounded shape. Harvesting is just cutting of the pieces or flower buds as you need them to use for recipes or other purposes. Lavender can be very slow to get started in the spring. The best time to prune your lavender is in the fall, at least 6 weeks before your first frost date. For pruning lavender in spring, you’ll want to use precision pruning snips or small pruning shears so that you have full control and know exactly where you’re making the cuts. I planted two Spanish lavenders at my new house. Thank you for asking. It’s best to wait until you see leaves growing before cutting back lavender plants in the spring. I know it can be hard to wait so long before pruning lavender after winter, especially when the plant looks so ugly. Thank you in advance for your consideration. Native to the Mediterranean region and North Africa, Spanish Lavender seems to be a more suitable lavender choice for those who garden in hot humid climates. Should I wait for the blooms to die before pruning? Ideally, you should prune lavender twice a year – once in the spring just as the fresh growth starts coming in, and once in the summer right after it’s done blooming. Take care not to cut into the woody part of the plant which can cause damage. Growing lavender from cuttings is fun and easy! But before you grab your pruners, it’s important to understand exactly how to prune lavender plants, because over pruning can end up killing your plant. Well, the main difference is that the purpose of pruning is to keep lavender plants healthy and shapely, and encourage tons of flowers. However, it does depend on the variety. But try to resist the urge to prune too early. Low Chill Apple Varieties for Mild Climates, Planting during the Coronavirus (COVID-19), Out of the Garden and Indoors with Marie Kondo. Before we get started, I want to mention that there are a few different kinds of lavender plants. Mine is a plant on a long stem with the bush firming a ball. English lavender is hardy, so there’s nothing special you need to do to prepare it for winter. Avoid fall pruning of Spanish lavender and leave plenty of leaf material. Varieties of Spanish/French Lavender—Lavandula stoechas cvs. Remove all the dead branches that don’t have any growth on them to clean it up a bit. Their grayish leaves appear more serrated (or dented) than those of their Spanish cousin (the specific name dentata means “toothed”). When trimming back lavender in the summer, you can focus on shaping the plant, rather than worrying about exactly where to make each cut. Spread them out on paper out of direct light for a few weeks, then fill small bags with the lavender flowers and use them to repel moths while sweetly scenting your clothes. French (or sometimes Spanish) lavender will bloom in the middle of spring with the lifespan of around three to five years. If you see lots of fresh growth on the plant, then it’s safe to start pruning. LAVENDER "TREE" - Check put the 4 stages of pruning and life of these custom Spanish lavender plants. Do not cut into the woody parts of the plant. You can prune the whole plant down to 1/3 of its size. When To Prune Lavender Plants Ideally, you should prune lavender twice a year – once in the spring just as the fresh growth starts coming in, and once in the summer right after it’s done blooming. What can I do to improve their performance or is this just how they are? Never cut lavender back to wood below all of the growth, because lavender will not grow back from old wood. Lavender is prized for its richly fragrant flowers and aromatic foliage. This is an easy-to-grow plant that only needs some basic care at planting and a bit of extra c… I would like permission to use your Spanish lavender photo in an article I am writing for the Victoria, Texas newspaper (The Advocate). Step 2: Prune lavender right above the new growth – Cut the old stem back to just above the top of the new growth. Just remember to always prune lavender above the leaves. If you’re interested in trying that, here’s my tutorial for how to grow lavender from cuttings. One area of my Spanish Lavender (only on one bush), the entire back side of the bush turned gray – like it’s dead but the rest of the plant looks fine. Once the plant has reached the desired height, the pruning strategy changes and top growth is taken off to promote bushiness and the Dr. Seuss-like ball of growth on top. Hope it helps! (2-5 cm) of foliage below the cut. Read More... I’m not sure what type of lavender that I have but it is very overgrown. The side shoots are pruned off as the plant grows up, creating a bare main stem. ??? What is your recommendation for long neglected bushes that has gone woody and ugly at the center(inside ) portion of the rather large bush? Lavender is best grown in neatly clipped hedges, in pots, in a herb circle, knot garden or courtyard.Coastal gardens, rocky slopes and planter boxes are all good environments for lavender. Pruning lavender is relatively easy. It is much brighter in color than the English and French lavenders. To do this, it should be well rooted and must reach a certain size. Or, like my husband, you can take a small hedge clipper and cut the shrub into a rounded shape. Related Post: How To Grow Lavender From Seed & When To Plant. If you never prune lavender, the plant will grow to be woody and scraggly looking, which is not very pretty. With this heavy pruning, the plants may require fertilizer and more water to encourage new growth on the woody stems. I have to replace my Spanish lavender every five years. Pruning lavender not only gets rid of the ugly dead growth, but it also helps to trigger bushy growth, and gives you tons of flowers too. This usually means waiting until late spring or early summer to prune lavender. This second round of blooms is not as spectacular as the first but it is adds color to a late-summer garden. If all the green is gone, your Lavender will die. In this post, I will tell you when to cut back lavender plants, give you tons of tips, and show you exactly how to trim lavender step-by-step. It’s also important to use clean, sharp pruning tools whenever you trim plants, so be sure to clean and sharpen your pruners before starting. Next up, learn exactly how to grow lavender in our detailed lavender plant care guide! Mediterranean plants are resting now. The Spanish Lavender (Lavandula stoechas ‘Otto Quast’) has finished blooming in my coastal garden and its flowers, a vivid purple in the spring (see Spanish Lavender Blooming On the Coast), have turned a dusty brown.
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