Pruning Lavender

Pruning:

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?
What happens if you don't prune lavender?
How do you cut back lavender for winter?
Do you cut back lavender every year?
How do you prune woody lavender?
Can I prune lavender in October?
How much can you cut back lavender?
How do you revive lavender?
Should I prune lavender for winter?
Can you prune lavender to the ground?

When and how do you 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.

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.

How do you cut back lavender for winter?

Remove any dead branches all the way down to the hedge bottom. (see image) Following a harsh winter season as seen during the winter of 2013-14 (see 2014 Winter Blog) you may want to prune the entire lavender bush down to the bare woody hedge.

Do you cut back lavender every year?

In general, you need to plan on pruning lavender at planting time and every year right after it flowers. When planting lavender, prune plants lightly, removing all growing tips. This encourages the plant to branch. Use this same technique every year as new growth starts to appear.

How do you prune woody lavender?

1 READ THE PLANT This woody lavender has gaps and splayed areas, so it's a good candidate for renovation pruning. Small shoots emerging from the woody base indicate that stems should regenerate. 2 CUT OUT OLD GROWTH Carefully cut out the old growth above the young shoots to open up the middle of the plant.

Can I prune lavender in October?

Lavenders are relatively easy to prune and pruning every year will help slow down the formation of wood and extend the vigour and lifetime of your plant. Pruning in late-August or early autumn will encourage good air circulation, which guards against rot.

How much can you cut back lavender?

The consensus about clipping lavender is that the leafy, silver-green stems should be cut down to two or three buds above where it becomes hard and woody (leaving about 2cms of the year's soft growth).

How do you revive lavender?

The only way to revive lavender that has been in the shade is to transfer it to a pot and place it in the sun as quickly as possible. Lavenders require sun all year round, including during the winter dormancy so plant the lavender in a nice open space that is not under a tree canopy or any other shade.

Should I prune lavender for winter?

Unpruned lavenders tend to become woody and have decreased blooms. However, lavender should not be pruned during the winter. Unlike many perennial plants and shrubs that can be pruned now, it is best to wait to prune lavender until after bloom in spring or in early fall before any danger of frost.

Can you prune lavender to the ground?

Don't cut plants like lavender to the ground, and don't touch them in fall or winter. ... Herbaceous plants can be lightly pruned during the growing season to encourage new growth and be cut back to the ground in fall to tidy things up once the plants go dormant.