How do you prune lavender?

To prune your lavender in the summer, grab handfuls of the stems and, using clean, sharp secateurs, snip them off, removing up to a third of the plant's growth. Try to maintain a good rounded shape to the plant, but do not cut too close to the woody base of the stems, or the plant might struggle to overwinter.

When should I 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.

Do lavender plants need to be cut back?

Lavender bushes need to be cut back every year to keep them from growing out of control. “Pruning lavender keeps it looking full, encourages new growth and flowering, and gives you lots of fresh tips to harvest throughout the season,” says Amy Fedele, a home gardening expert and Pretty Purple Door blogger.

Should I deadhead lavender?

Cutting the dead flowers off your lavender plant (​Lavandula​ spp.) is a good habit. Deadheading cleans up the appearance of the lavender plant, prevents the seeds from spreading and may prompt reblooming depending on the variety.

The Secret to Pruning Lavender

How do you keep lavender blooming?

To increase the amount lavender blooms, plant lavender in full sun, with sandy soil and prune in the Spring to stimulate more growth to support more blooms. Watering lavender too frequently and adding fertilizer can stress the plant which causes fewer blooms.

What do you do with lavender after it blooms?

Lightly prune, harvest, or deadhead blooms throughout the growing season. Then towards the end of summer, prune the shrub into a rounded mound of foliage. Most gardening resources recommend taking off no more than one-third of the plant.

Can I prune lavender in January?

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. Pruning now can cause dieback that may kill the plant.

Can you prune lavender in February?

Our school of thought on Lavender clipping is to do it twice a year: A light trim in late February / early March - right about now at the time of posting. A hard trim after flowering, sometime in August.

How do you stop lavender going woody?

Preventing Woody Lavender

Plant your lavender in well-drained, rocky soil, on a slope (if possible) to ensure drainage. Fertilize them lightly the very first year after planting. After that, do not fertilize regularly. Prune lavender lightly to maintain the rounded shape.

Where do I cut back lavender?

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.

How do I prepare lavender for winter?

If your plant will be inside for the winter, keep it in a cool, non-freezing location with sunlight and air circulation. Slow down watering of plants. Lavender prefers a dry soil, and the amount of rain that naturally falls will be sufficient for the plant.

How much can you cut back lavender?

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. If you're too nervous to cut it back that far, then you can try deadheading lavender instead.

How do you deadhead lavender?

Why does lavender go woody?

“If left unpruned, plants become too tall, woody and gappy, splay open and finally collapse,” she explains. “For plant health and longevity, it's best to maintain a compact, rounded shape, or for a lavender hedge, a nice undulating 'caterpillar'.

Does lavender come back every year?

Lavender is a Low-Maintenance Perennial

And this beauty will come back to your garden every year, for about 3-5 years, so it's a great investment. What is this? Before you make any plant purchases, however, I want to remind you to always choose plants that thrive in your plant hardiness zone.

Why is my lavender not flowering?

Your lavender is in the wrong spot in the garden. Lavender originates in the sunny Mediterranean and needs at least six hours a day of sunlight to produce its fragrant blooms. Don't plant your lavender under a tree – it will not flower. A very windy location is also not great, as lavender is used to still, hot summers.

How many times a year does lavender bloom?

It often blooms twice in one season. Lavandins (L. x intermedia)—a hybrid of English and Portuguese lavender (L. latifolia)—are generally larger plants that bloom only once per year, later in the summer.

Does lavender flower twice?

If it's pruned lightly just after its first flowering, it will likely flower again in late summer. After this second flowering, a full pruning—typically in late August—will prepare it for winter and encourage more blooms in spring.

How do you harvest lavender so it keeps growing?

The flowering stems can be harvested while in bloom or snipped off after the flowers fade to keep the plant tidy. Leave the foliage over the winter to protect new growth from frosts, then in spring trim the plants fairly hard to prevent them from becoming leggy and bare at the base.

Does lavender stay purple all year?

Depending on where you live, you can enjoy Lavender blooms almost all year in your garden. Why? Because not all Lavenders bloom at the same time and some bloom continuously, producing flowers all spring and summer.

Can I prune lavender in May?

March through May, early spring is the best time to prune. 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.

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.

Why is my lavender turning GREY?

The lavender plant often turns gray due to fungal infections. Make sure to not overwater them. This Mediterranean plant grows best in warm conditions. During winter when it is exposed to cold weather, it turns gray as a result of frost damage.

Should you cover lavender in winter?

Lavender is a drought tolerant plant and prefers to be dry, so you want to ensure good drainage. A slope or small raised bed would help ensure the plant has good drainage and stays dry and happy. Third, it is important to cover your Lavender plants (zone 5 and below) with winter protection.