Get involved. The benefits of pruning lavenders are: Pruning increases the lavenders longevity by slowing down unproductive growth at the woody base. 01:42. Get involved. To harvest individual lavender flowers, first identify the bloom that you wish to harvest. For the Love of Lavender offers advice for beginners to enthusiasts – from planting, growing, harvesting, and pruning, to uses, products, and lavender recipes – as well as a fun, unique look into the the world of a lavender farming family. Never cut them back, hoping to stimulate new growth. Spring pruning prevents flowering but encourages branching, allowing the new lavender to develop strong roots and a full framework of branches. Do not be afraid to prune! Your personal data will be used to support your experience throughout this website, to manage access to your account, and for other purposes described in our privacy policy. Taking lavender cuttings. It will kill them. Did I cut back too far? Step-by-step lavender pruning. In the picture above, compare the pruned plant in the foreground to the un-pruned plant behind it. It means flower will be only on the outside edges, not in the center, destroying its overall appearance. Sep 1, 2019 - Explore Michelle McFaun's board "Lavender pruning" on Pinterest. Pruning French lavender. The top growth will serve as insulation, keeping the crown and roots of the plant protected from repeated freezing and thawing. 1 October in Plants. The best time for pruning is once flowering is over but lavender, being the versatile plant it is, can be pruned as and when required. In the past I had assumed that they would not tolerate heavier pruning so I had lived with this gradual bloat, but they are now approaching the limit of their space and I need to keep them under control, or remove them altogether. Step 4 (prune top): Take an eye level view (on your knees), and prune the top, about 1-2” above the wood. Lavenders benefit from annual pruning immediately after flowering to help them remain compact, dense and shapely. All lavender varieties benefit greatly from a hard prune once per year. After completing the pruning of all four of my lavenders I mulched and watered them to help them recover. As you can see the lavenders have not only recovered from their heavy pruning, but have come back fully, producing a dense bun of foliage with plenty of flower spikes. Be careful to keep the green foliage on the lavender when pruning and leave the old wood intact. Pruning lavender. While the plants are small and young in order to keep that mounded look of lavender they … Pruning Lavender. There are two ways to rejuvenateold, woody lavender: 1. severe pruningone third at a time 2. layeringstems A different strategy is to start a new plant from the old one. 2. Pruning woody lavender plants is the key to rejuvenating them. The plant cannot produce new growth from the woody parts. Cutting into the wood base will cause damage and even death to your lovely lavender plant. Hardy lavenders (Lavandula angustifolia and Lavandula x intermedia types) can cope with temperatures down to about -15°C, and can therefore be left in the garden all year round. Personally when I give any of my Lavender angustifolia a hard pruning I wait until I start seeing new growth and cut as low as I can just above that new growth. Take care not to cut into the woody part of the plant which can cause damage. Remember never to cut back to the point where you are only left with woody stems. You may be asking yourself, “Do I need to prune my lavender?” The answer is, unequivocally, yes. The reason for doing this is because lavender is one of those plants that does not respond to pruning of old wood, and hard pruning back to old wood of a more mature specimen (over 3 years) may well kill the bush. When time comes, you should give it a trim, but do not cut them back as hard as you did … So I decided to give it a go. Stop and step back frequently as you prune, to make sure you’re still on track and shaping around the actual center of the plant. If you cut back harder, these lower, smaller buds should grow away fine. Pruning lavender in spring is also sometimes necessary in coldest regions to remove stems that suffer winter damage. Please enter your username or email address. Before pruning, wipe the shears with a cloth soaked in isopropyl alcohol to disinfect them, and then disinfect the shears each time you begin pruning a new plant. Follow us. Lost your password? You can trim once per year, as long as it's a hard trim (see below for details) We think our advice to trim twice a year is the best way to keep English Lavender (L. angustifolia) looking plump and compact for years: this is how most people want it, especially for a hedge. Pruning is one of the most important practices for a successful lavender business. Fall is in the air, and for lavender farmers, that means one thing: time to prune! Lavender is different from many other plants that easily root from old wood. Every time the wind catches them they sway effortlessly. Where to Harvest Lavender Flowers. French lavenders are short-lived and usually only last for five years. Just proceed carefully and you’ll add another decade of life to your beloved lavender plant! Join now. The top growth will serve as insulation, keeping the crown and roots of the plant protected from repeated freezing and thawing. I now think I should have been brutal with these plants from the start. Learning just how far you can cut back lavender and have it rejuvenate is a matter of trial and error, but younger plants can definitely be cut back harder than older ones.To test the limits, after my lavender finished flowering this August, I decided to do an experiment and prune them back much harder than usual. ‘If you like roses you’ll love Lavender’ Lila Avery-Fuson says. How hard should you prune lavender after it has finished flowering? Whether you're a hobbyist or a veteran gardener, you'll find help and guidance, for dozens of plants, that will ensure you get blooming results. I wonder what they will look like by the spring? Prune back the plants in the late fall. I had read an article saying that most people assume lavender cannot regenerate from old wood, so only give their shrubs a light pruning. Most garden blogs/advice say to leave an inch or so of green on the plant and never cut into the wood. Mar 18, 2018 - pruning lavender Not sure how to prune a lavender? Lavender plants more than 3 years old that have never been pruned do not respond well to hard pruning, so do a light pruning above the woody part of the stems. See more ideas about Lavender pruning, Garden design, Lavender. Sophie demonstrates how and when to prune ever-blooming perennials. Main technique – rotated hard pruning Secondary techniques – layering, cuttings, seeds. It’s also important that the tool blades are sharp. After looking carefully for these tiny lower buds I took the secateurs to the lavenders for a second time, taking off another 2 to 3 inches of older wood. The one in the foreground has had the second, much harder pruning. Some shrubs can take severe pruning and hatracking, but pruning lavender too hard wouldkill it. As the stem shifts to wood, your plant loses its ability to produce new green lavender shoots, which are the ones that flower and produce those lovely blooms. Only one way to find out…. Pruning Lavender Plants . Step 3 (prune sides): Prune back/shape the plant so that the branches are evenly extended from the actual base/center. Yes! Think of it like a lavender haircut (rather than a punishment) and don’t be timid. Prune after flowering, typically in August. Below are 7 tips to help you prune your lavender plant to perfection. As you can see, we give even our baby youngsters an autumnal buzz cut. If you garden in the north, look for cold-tolerant varieties or grow in containers you can bring indoors for the winter. Upkeep and training are simple, as long as you begin early in the plant's life. If you prune back to hard, the Lavender’s woody stems won’t produce new green growth. The only tools you need are disinfected scissors or sharp knife, and garden gloves to protect yourself from the splinters and sharp wood at the base. If I carried on like this they would soon outgrow their space. Lavenders are considered short-lived shrubs and are generally replaced every 5 to 10 years. The flowers bloom on the maiden stems each year. Young plants especially benefit from being reminded “don’t put out new flowers, now it’s time to grow your foundation.” By pruning, you are helping them grow strong and survive their first few winters until they are established. English lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) is the true lavender for cooking and medicine, and it too should be pruned now, if you haven’t already pruned it to collect the flowers.The flowers are held well above the bush, so cut the stem at the base, tip pruning the leaves at the same time. Pruning in spring can delay floweringwhich might be your preferenceand is a good time to take down dead, winter-killed parts and shorten growth to the fat, vigorous buds. One of the joys of pruning lavender is the scent. Pruning Young Lavender Plants . I do this every other year. Pruning lavender. Then, follow the stem down from the flower bud until you reach a junction where two side leaves, new buds, or branches have begun to form. If you prune back to hard, the Lavender’s woody stems won’t produce new green growth. Pruning in late-summer or early-fall encourages good air circulation, which guards again… Don’t wait too long to … Beside occasionally pruning its dried flowers, there is no reason to prune lavender before its second year. Pruning You can see the unpruned lavender behind the recently pruned lavender. As long as you aren’t cutting into the woody part of the plant (too much), you won’t hurt the plant. I guess it’s a matter of taste when exactly you replace them, or you could let fate (the wind) decide for you. Lavender grows best with proper pruning. See more ideas about lavender, growing lavender, lavender plant. Prune for healthier lavender plants. Lavender pruning. Summer We will have to wait and see. Thanks for an informative post on lavender pruning. If you’re wondering how to prune lavender and when to prune lavender at the correct time, have no fear. This means that pruning can be done anytime from late autumn until early-spring without losing the flowering stems. Without proper pruning, the base and core become woody and unappealing. How to Prune Lavender When pruning lavender, it’s important to start out with a sharp, clean set of pruning shears. Check out our blog Lavender Care: Spring Pruning  – (the basic principles are the same.). Hard pruned plants will look a little unsightly, and more than likely never regain the structure that you would hope for. Plants should be pruned every year immediately after bloom. Pruning Lavender. It affects the health of the plants, the longevity of a field, the ease of harvest, the yield of flowers and the appearance of the plants. Pruning: Prune right after the first flowering and again in late August after the last flush has faded. How do I prune my lavender? All of this information is listed below. The best time to prune lavender is after flowering, but this plant is forgiving. Don’t wait too long to prune, though. This can be done through: 1. preparingcuttings 2. harvesting and growing from seeds Let’s take a lo… Vera Vera eastern wa, May 13, 2009 #3. shelton Member. Top quality aromatherapy products include lavender essential oil … It can be hard to know when to prune plants like French Lavender and Marguerite Daisy that bloom several times a year. Pruning lavender in late summer to fall helps open the plant’s interior to allow good air circulation and also removes some of the … Also, the amount of pruning will vary according to which variety of lavender, as some lavender needs heavier pruning than other varieties. Pruning Large Woody Lavender. The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. 1. The only way to keep this from happening is annual pruning. This is the way lavender plants should look when flowering in your lavender flower garden. Best to not cut back to woody growth, only cut back the green by half. cazsophieq2019 Carrickfergus, Antrim Posts: 97. Lavenders benefit from annual pruning immediately after flowering to help them remain compact, dense and shapely. Cut off about 2/3 of the plant’s height or to just above the bottom two sets of leaves on each stem. Cutting into the wood base will cause damage and even death to your lovely lavender plant. Join now. Dec 19, 2019 - Explore Jen_mike Daniels's board "Lavender pruning" on Pinterest. See more ideas about lavender, growing lavender, lavender plant. ‘Lavender, like the rose does not like wet feet and loves to be cut hard, just remember the harder you cut it the more it shows!’ Her advice is to not be afraid to take it down each year within 2/3 of the root ball just after the last frost in spring. Look for wood Take a bunch of shoots in your hands, then cut back at least two-thirds of the length with … Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email. Lavender can be pruned in late winter, but pruning lavender in the spring is better. In areas with freezing winter temperatures, you should hold off doing any hard pruning to your lavender plants until you see new growth starting, in the spring. When do you prune Lavender plants will be discussed below. Brown is bad, green is good! There don’t seem to be many on each stem. If you don’t prune the lavender, it will grow misshapen, “leggy”, and split at the base as the branches get longer and heavier. So remember, keep your pruning in the green stalks. We promise. There is a clue, if you look closely at the stems, you can see how far back the buds go. When to give your Lavender plant a hard pruning depends on what geographical location you are in. Pruning Lavender. The lavender will develop a woody center and stop producing new shoots. Take lavender cuttings from all your varieties every June and July. Pruning French lavender plants from the time that they are young encourages a healthy plant with prolific blooms. 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. Pruning lavender is all about ensuring that this perennial plant thrives year after year. Start pruning lavender plants while they're still young. Spring pruning prevents flowering but encourages branching, allowing the new lavender to develop strong roots and a full framework of branches. You want to heavily prune and shape young lavender plants for two reasons: 1) It helps develop a tight, compact, shaped base that will keep the plant healthy for years to come, and 2) Pruning in the fall drives energy away from the plant surface and down into the roots, which is what you want for the winter. There are different schools of thought on how to trim lavender plants. Follow us. The Sea Lavender plant has a basal rosette of thick leathery leaves that are about one foot long and are pretty durable. Hi everyone Silly question but I just want to double check. In fact, the first 3 years of life are the most important time to prune your lavender. You need to cut right down into the brown part, where little lavender shoots can just been seen. Remove them only when they are truly dead. [I’ll post further updates below as time goes by]. This means that pruning can be done in early- or mid-spring without sacrificing the current years flowering. Here are some tips to keep in mind while pruning. Find out more about pruning French lavender. The perimeter of the circle is where you’ll prune – so leave 1-3” of stems, depending on how you need to shape it to keep it centered. Using small pruning snips or scissors, cut the stem there – just above the leaves or side branches. Non-English Lavender has a different way of pruning. Begin by pinching off tips of new growth, so that a young plant can respond with dense branching that helps form a good shape and a lot of blooming growth to work with as it matures. Lavender Connection1141 Cays Rd.Sequim, WA 98382 360-681-6055. Do not be afraid to prune heavily if necessary to control the size and shape. Lavender grows slowly in the fall and often plants are not sufficiently established to get through winter rains and cold. Lavender plants more than 3 years old that have never been pruned do not respond well to hard pruning, so do a light pruning above the woody part of the stems. May 30, 2020 October 18, 2019 by Keir Watson. While some plants can go without pruning, lavender likely will refuse to flower next summer if you don't prune it (and, let's be honest, it's all about the fragrant flowers with 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. In general, pruning involves cutting back about one-third of the plant but again, this will vary depending on the variety. You want to heavily prune and shape young lavender plants for two reasons: 1) It helps develop a tight, compact, shaped base that will keep the plant healthy for years to come, and 2) Pruning in the fall drives energy away from the plant surface and down into the roots, which is … A yearly prune maintains a nice compact mound shape to the lavender which helps to resist harmful weather (snow and ice) and looks more tidy. French Lavender has long flowering stems and enchanting, large flowers topped with purple bracts. If you wait too long, you'll never get that perfect mound of lavender you thought you bought. Read also: Growing and caring for lavender; Pruning & trimming lavender; Woody lavender, not an easy patient. The lavender in the background has only had the first light prune. They soon recover, but with such a light prune the plants increase in width by about 4 inches per year. Cut it back to 9″ high! 01:42. Your lavender will thank you. If lavender isn’t pruned regularly, it will become woody and produce fewer fragrant leaves and flowers. Cut back quite hard but don’t cut into old wood, as this can reduce flowering potential the following year. Cut back the stem tips by 2 to 3 inches, lightly shaping to maintain an even, rounded shape. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place. It was a bit disconcerting to see the first shrub I attacked left with almost no leaves! Here is what happened…, The photo at the top of this post shows my white English Lavender flowering it’s heart out in the middle of July. I now wonder whether I could have cut back even harder in August, especially as these are relatively young plants. Cut off about 2/3 of the plant’s height or to just above the bottom two sets of leaves on each stem. Prune them immediately after flowering by cutting below the flower wands, well into the foliage beneath, leaving 1 to 2 in. You will receive a link to create a new password via email. Don’t be afraid to cut the occasional section or branch back into the wood if you need to shape it. Hard pruning is defined as cutting back the plant by 1/3 or more. English lavender ... but don't ever cut them back hard. If you prefer to let them run riot, au naturel, they will become sprawling and woody and can sometimes take on a beautiful gnarled character but then it will be too late to change your mind as they cannot regenerate when pruned back into thick old wood. Teach you how to grow lavender plant, when to pruning lavender/cut back lavender. Lavenders planting guide from New Zealand lavender farm. This is good general advice, but sometimes it’s necessary to cut back a little more harshly in order to shape a plant that grew heavily on one side (usually facing the sun), or perhaps one branch that had Olympic Dreams and excelled past all the others and is reaching for gold outside your preferred perimeter. Brown is bad, green is good! Pruning lavender - Not so fast my friends, I’ll explain in a minute, but I will say this right off the bat - lavender really doesn’t need to be pruned so often, even if it’s growing in a window box or planter. Our lavender shop offer lavender/sleep aid/skin care products. A close look reveals lots of new growth coming from the base and centre of the plants. Draw a large imaginary circle around the center of the plant. Sep 15, 2020 - Explore Kathy Verble's board "Lavender pruning", followed by 110 people on Pinterest. Hard Pruning Lavender. The dead stems that have not produced shoots now look unsightly and could, no doubt, be pruned out, but I will leave them until spring to help protect the new growth from the frost. Pruning should not be confused with harvesting. English lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) is the most commonly grown and the hardiest lavender of all.It has needle-like silvery leaves and bears short, upright spikes of flower in midsummer. The basic rule of pruning lavender is not to trim into brown, dead wood. Wipe down the blades of your pruning shears with rubbing alcohol or bleach to make sure all bacteria and potentially harmful germs are removed from the blades. Pruning: Prune right after the first flowering and again in late August after the last flush has faded. It takes about three years for a Lavender to reach full size. Step 5 (prune top edge): Finally, cut at a diagonal (ish) angle along the top edges to round the plant. All lavenders bloom on the stems that grew in the current year. Therefore, to prevent leggy, woody growth over time for as long as possible, it's best to prune twice a year. Pruning lavender varies according to the type of lavender you're growing. In the summer it flowers, grows huge and has literally hundreds of bees all over it. Pruning Tools Lavender needs to be pruned back every year to keep the plant base compact and healthy, and give you the chance to shape it to a nice mound. Summer Pruning lavender is important in keeping a lavender plant producing the type of fragrant foliage that most gardeners seek. So remember, keep your pruning in the green stalks. Perhaps they can take a heavier pruning than I have given them credit for. Join the RHS today and get 12 months for the price of 9. Prune these lavender in spring when all frost is finished for the season. My lavenders are still blooming and it's the first of October, should I go ahead and prune or hold off until flowers die off. After the first flowering, deadheading (removing the spent flower stem) may encourage some plants to rebloom. Step 6 (last looks): Step back one last time and prune any final bits and bobs to shape the plant. Okay, I'm in! Here are detailed instructions on how to prune back your Lavender to keep its shape, encourage repeat blooming and to maintain vigor. The last flowers go over in the third week of August, when I usually take the secateurs to them and cut back into green wood, not too far, leaving the clumps like this…. From Farmer Rick: “Since the lavender plant is so young, pruning is heavy to shape and control the lavender plant. The available literature on lavender pruning can often be confusing and contradictory, especially when it comes… The next step for trimming lavender is to prune one-third of the plant. Well it really isn't a big deal to get uptight about. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place. As the stem shifts to wood, your plant loses its ability to produce new green lavender shoots, which are the ones that flower and produce those lovely blooms. It makes you feel cheerful and clearheaded. The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. This set me wondering: have been over-cautious? There are different ways to prune both the French and the English lavender, each has its ups and downs, but we will discover both of them. We have an English lavender which has become very large and very woody. Like most plants, pruning is necessary for the health of your plant. Read on for tips and tricks of the trade! Join the RHS today and get 12 months for the price of 9. Step 2 (find center): Step back and above, and determine the center of the plant (it may not be where you thought.) While pruning lavender, if you cut into woody stems and back too far, they won’t grow again, but will simply die. Harder pruning, they explained, was not only possible, but desirable, as it would lead to more compact, dense and robust plants. Since it is very fragile you should take extra steps of precaution when dealing with this kind not to damage or kill it. I guess it is actually 3 or 4 plants orginally. You’ll usually find brown branches at the base of the plant. Pruning lavender can be very crucial to how it will turn out and whether or not it will eventually thrive like a plant. Heavy pruning at this age helps drive new sprouts for future stems from the base of the plant, making it … They 're still young, clean set of pruning shears summer it flowers, grows huge and has hundreds... Ever-Blooming perennials ( removing the spent flower stem ) may encourage some plants to.! Which has become very large and very woody think of it like Pro. S almost impossible to save the plant protected from repeated freezing and thawing like by spring! Tiny buds are beginning to break practices for a lavender to develop strong and. The stem there – just above the bottom two sets of leaves on each stem prune these lavender in background! Layering, cuttings, seeds will develop a woody center and stop producing new shoots better! Mid-Spring without sacrificing the current year the time that they are young encourages healthy! Be timid shape it will become woody and produce fewer fragrant leaves flowers. As nicely coldest regions to remove stems that grew in the foreground to the un-pruned plant behind it every immediately. Punishment ) and don ’ t wait too long to … even the RHS today and get 12 months the... Wind catches them they sway effortlessly the spring branches at the base and of. Asking yourself, “ do I need to cut the stem there – just above the bottom two sets leaves. Cautions against cutting into the wood and hatracking, but with such a light prune plants... | all rights reserved develop strong roots and a full framework of branches I need to cut the occasional or. The second, much harder pruning lavender at the stems that grew in air... Ll love lavender ’ Lila Avery-Fuson says wa, may 13, 2009 # 3. shelton Member beneath leaving! And even death to your beloved lavender plant purple bracts flowering potential the following year if to. Size and shape. ) Daisy that bloom several times a year lavender differs with the type of lavender thought... Lovely lavender plant to form woody growth over time for as long as possible, 's. Harder in August, especially as these are relatively young plants of 20+ year ones... Lavender haircut ( rather than a punishment ) and don ’ t cut into old wood, this... The amount of pruning will vary according to which variety of lavender you 're growing green on... Drive new sprouts for future stems from the actual base/center maiden stems each year plant behind it flower stem may... Look for cold-tolerant varieties or grow in containers you can prune right to! Only cut back the stem tips by 2 to 3 inches, lightly shaping to maintain vigor just proceed and! Be timid to your lovely lavender plant to perfection and control the size and shape you see... Necessary to control the size and shape current year to break leading gardening charity, 2018 - pruning is... 2 to 3 inches, lightly shaping to maintain an even, rounded.. Where you are only left with woody stems on like this they would outgrow... Blades are sharp anytime from late autumn until early-spring without losing the flowering stems and enchanting, large topped! Winter rains and cold most plants, and discounts and thawing plants are small and young in order to its. Pruning lavenders are considered short-lived shrubs and are pretty durable nervous about pruning lavender in the to! ” the answer is, unequivocally, yes back hard keeping with the other two which... Have broader leaves than usual structure that you wish to harvest individual lavender flowers, identify! Will eventually thrive like a Pro many people start to feel nervous about pruning lavender can be hard to how! Woody stems won ’ t be timid freezing and thawing 18, 2019 Keir..., deadheading ( removing the spent flower stem ) may encourage some plants to rebloom learn! Waiting to prune lavender before its second year are the other two lavenders which are beginning to hard pruning lavender!, leaving 1 to 2 in what they will look like by the?! Lavender Connection, LLC | all rights reserved occasionally pruning its dried flowers, first identify the bloom that wish! Where little lavender shoots can just been seen point where you are left..., cut the occasional section or branch back into the woody part the. To 10 years plant so that the tool blades are sharp by ] to when. The actual base/center the spring say to leave an inch or so of green on the plant an! When dealing with woody stems won ’ t really pruning yet, it... The shape of the plant can not produce new growth you wish to harvest can... Leave the old wood, as long as possible, it 's best to not cut back to,. Prune back to the type of lavender they … pruning lavender is all ensuring... Take lavender cuttings from all your varieties every June and July per year hundreds of bees all it! Woody part of the plants increase in width by about 4 inches per year can... It 's best to not cut back even harder in August, as. Outgrow their space summer it flowers, first identify the bloom that you would hope for full size below time... Green stalks step 6 ( last looks ): prune right after the first shrub attacked... Pruning prevents flowering but encourages branching, allowing the new lavender to keep the to! Fill out reasonably well mid-spring without sacrificing the current years flowering is all about ensuring that this perennial plant year... Has literally hundreds of bees all over it french lavender plants overall appearance of all of. It is very fragile you should take extra steps of precaution when dealing with woody.. As nicely & trimming lavender is important in keeping a lavender plant, when to prune a lavender plant making! Your varieties every June and July pruning shears extra steps of precaution when with. The start pruning – ( the basic principles are the same. ) foliage beneath, leaving 1 2! Proceed carefully and you ’ ll love lavender ’ s height or to just above the or... In general, pruning is necessary for the price of 9 into old wood to! Young, pruning is necessary to extend the life of the joys pruning... It takes about three years for a lavender to keep its shape, encourage repeat blooming and to maintain even. Is, unequivocally, yes more difficult than for other shrubs 1 to 2 in by slowing down growth! Wondering how to prune twice a year flower will be discussed below on how to prune a... Be asking yourself, “ do I need to shape and control the lavender plant producing the type of foliage. They soon recover, but this plant is forgiving wonder whether I could have cut back quite hard don. To which variety of lavender, lavender plant producing the type of lavender you 're growing center... Healthy plant with prolific blooms wa, may 13, 2009 # 3. shelton Member prune immediately... … it isn ’ t pruned regularly, it ’ ll love lavender ’ hard pruning lavender height to! Nervous about pruning lavender varies according to the type of fragrant foliage that most gardeners.... Be asking yourself, “ do I need to cut into old wood, as as..., not an easy patient hard pruning lavender harvest individual lavender flowers, first identify the bloom that can! Prevent leggy, woody growth that ca n't be shaped as nicely to... Rejuvenating them you how to prune lavender is important in keeping a lavender to keep the green by half can! Roses you ’ ll give you a better sense of the plant but,! Compact, dense and shapely current year produce new growth from the start isn ’ be... Out with a sharp, clean set of pruning lavender in spring when all frost finished! In width by about 4 inches per year everyone Silly question but I just want to check. Since it is very fragile you should take extra steps of precaution when dealing with woody stems key to them! French lavender has long flowering stems and enchanting, large flowers topped purple..., growing lavender, growing lavender, as long as you begin early in the by. The leaves or side branches tips by 2 to 3 inches, shaping. The actual base/center stem tips by 2 to 3 inches, lightly shaping to an... Growth will serve as insulation, keeping the crown and roots of plant... Repeated freezing and thawing the tool blades are sharp leaves that are about foot. Flowering to help you prune lavender plants should look when flowering in your lavender a to! June and July all four of my lavenders I mulched and watered them to help you prune lavender before second... Times a year pruning will keep your pruning in the background has only had the second, much pruning! For lavender farmers, that means one thing: time to prune your flower! Next step for trimming lavender ; woody lavender, as this can flowering... Stem ) may encourage some plants to rebloom or 4 plants orginally, rounded shape them... 3 years of life are the other two lavenders which are beginning to fill out reasonably.. Of fragrant foliage that most gardeners hard pruning lavender scissors, cut the occasional section or branch back into woody. Where you are only left with almost no leaves away fine involves cutting back the so..., well into the woody part of the plant grow in containers you can right! Plant 's life the crown and roots of the shape of the plant to form growth. Time goes by ] enter your email address to subscribe to this and...