One of Europe’s favourite lavender is the ‘Munstead’; a … Conduct two good prunings a year, after flowering, to cut back half of the current season’s growth. Support wikiHow by There are many different varieties of lavender. The oils from lavender, lavandin and spike lavender have long been used separately, and in combination . 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. unlocking this expert answer. Even though the flowers are well past the best time to harvest for dried flowers or oil, it is still worth stripping the stems and drying the flowers. In between yearly trimmings, it will benefit your lavender bushes to trim back the blooms once they have finished blooming. Although there is often little need for pruning rhododendrons, especially in naturalized settings, these shrubs respond well to the occasional trimming. How to Prune Lavender. Best wishes, Ann, Hi Ann, One of the joys of pruning lavender is the scent, I find it makes me feel cheerful and clearheaded. To dry your lavender in the sun, lay it flat on a screen, and set the screen in a sunny spot. For more advice from our Horticultural co-author, including how to prune your lavender in preparation for winter, keep reading! All words and images © Copyright Penny Woodward 2020. The parts of the plant that turn to wood won't produce new lavender stalks; the stalks grow from new shoots that emerge from the shrub every year. Lavender can be become very leggy and bear few flowers. If you really can’t stand to see another ad again, then please consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. It’s important not to prune lavender into hard wood or it may not grow back. You should end up with a compact, shaped shrub with no flowers. Trim in early January. This article was co-authored by Katie Gohmann. Excellent for warmer, humid areas. This article has been viewed 186,223 times. It can also be pruned now, just cut back about 25% all over, but I would normally prune it in spring, when the other lavenders are looking good. Choose a clear, still, dry day for pruning. Type – herb sub-shrub Height – 24 to 40 inches (60 to 100 cm) Exposure – full sun. The English variety is known as true lavender and is the most popular with home growers. ", "I am a beginner, this article is excellent with all pictures and plain, clear text. Remove spent flowers and trim lightly after flowering. Light pruning is best after the first harvest, followed by a heavier one during summer or fall. Lavenders are native to windswept areas of the Mediterranean coast so they respond well to pruning and can become leggy and woody at the base without it. To trim lavender, try to trim it right when the first flowers open, which is when lavender is at its most fragrant. In areas where lavender has died or is dying due to poor drainage or flooding, but where dry conditions are the norm, consider replanting it into raised beds as is done on lavender farms. John visits a lavender farm in Victoria. The reason for this is lack of or poor pruning. Toothed lavender is the other common name for this long-lived, trouble-free lavender, referring to the serrated leaves which makes it easy to identify. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. If your shrub is on the older side, you'll likely have to cut more than one bunch. Soil – ordinary, well drained Foliage – evergreen Flowering – June to August This will result in more blooms forming. You can also trim the bushes back in the fall after the blooms have died. Ensure you prune the foliage – … Remove any dead or damaged growth and shear back a good third of the green leafy growth for those without harsh winter conditions. I have three old bushes and was going to cut them right back as they are very, "As my lavender has grown very wild, I was afraid to prune too much in case I damaged it. Allow it to dry for a week or two. Once plants are established, trim them back by up to one-third. If you must prune from a ladder, tie it securely to the tree. This could cause branches to have rough ends, and make the lavender bushes appear misshapen and unattractive. Regular pruning twice a year gives your plant time regenerate fresh flowers and … For more advice from our Horticultural co-author, including how to prune your lavender in preparation for winter, keep reading! Katherine Gohmann is a Professional Gardener in Texas. This article has been viewed 186,223 times. Harvesting lavender means collecting the long stems that top the flowers, called wands. The flowers are held well above the bush, so cut the stem at the base, tip pruning the leaves at the same time. Thank you. ", "When to actually prune back my lavender plants and how to prune them helped. No matter when you decide to trim lavender, only do it once a year or you could damage the plant's ability to produce blooms. All lavenders bloom on the stems that grew in the current year. Lavender is a strong durable plant for dry, warm borders and known for flowering from spring right though to autumn. Thanks Penny, will prune my lavender! Hi Michael, infection, so it is important to use clean, sharp shears disinfected with bleach. Do not trim young lavender bushes. Thank you also for offering my books on your web site. % of people told us that this article helped them. A light prune after the main flowering flush followed by another during late summer will encourage a bushy habit. Lavender is best grown in neatly clipped hedges, in pots, in a herb circle, knot garden or courtyard. Lavender is an herb in the mint family that produces small purple flowers and thick, aromatic foliage. Not unexpected as in aromatherapy lavender is calming and antidepressant. Lavender comes in three main types, English, Italian and French. Prune one-third to one-half of each shrub back after the peak of flowering. She has been a home gardener and professional gardener since 2008. Pruning lavender varies according to the type of lavender you're growing. Cut off dead flowers to help prolong flowering periods. Many gardeners just deadhead hardy types which leads to leggy plants and few flowers. This article was co-authored by Katie Gohmann. I hope to reciprocate if/when I get a web site myself. Lavender will turn up its toes without perfect drainage and needs regular pruning by half to two-thirds to slow down its tendency to get “woody” at the base. They grow thicker with each passing season and can become woody with thick, heavy branches. "I have a large, scraggly plant which I'd like to prune back. Carry pruning tools with the points facing down. When learning how to trim lavender, purchase a pair of gardening gloves to protect your hands from blisters when using the pruning shears. English lavender 'Egerton Blue' in full flower. They have been glorious right through spring but now the flower heads have largely finished and are starting to brown off, so its time to cut them back. Pruning. French lavender can be pruned at any time of the year, Prune this lavender when the flowers die off. ", like the question and answer section. I learned that lavender is susceptible to bacterial, "Your article was very informative. 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. In most parts of Australia it benefits from added lime at planting and again, when established, in autumn or spring. By using this service, some information may be shared with YouTube. unlocking this staff-researched answer. This article received 13 testimonials and 100% of readers who voted found it helpful, earning it our reader-approved status. Best rule of thumb is when it finishes flowering, that’s the perfect time to prune. To hang your lavender to dry, use a rubber band to tie the stems together. French lavender (Lavandula dentata), flowers for most of the year so it can be hard to choose the best time to prune. Site selection . Spanish lavender needs to be pruned in summer. My French Lavender plant is only 14 months old, and it's lovely and bushy and a mass of flowers. Lavender dried in the sun tends to fade to a lighter color. Pruning in late-summer or early-fall encourages good air circulation, which guards again… When pruning lavender, it’s important to start out with a sharp, clean set of pruning shears. Make sure to leave all of the wood intact, since cutting it could injure the plant. English varieties tend to flower in the warmer months, whereas French lavender will often flower in winter. Pruning Lavender for winter should be done at that same time as you harvest the second round of blooms usually mid to late October. You want at least some new growth to appear before the plant goes dormant for winter, so do it sooner than later. She has been a home gardener and professional gardener since 2008. ", Unlock premium answers by supporting wikiHow, http://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/herbs/lavender/pruning-lavender.htm, http://www.whiteflowerfarm.com/growing-lavender-care.html, http://www.gardeningknowhow.com/herb/pruning-lavender.htm, http://everything-lavender.com/lavender-care.html, consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. The best practice is to prune lightly just after your French lavender has had its first flowering, and then keep deadheading and shaping throughout the growing season. Top Lavender Tips in the Subtropics. Also, you mustn't cut the woody part of the stem. Lavender grows best in sunny areas in rocky soil and forms into shrubs that come back each year. Brilliant chance to help too. Leave some green on the stems, otherwise it will take a long time to reproduce and your trimmed lavender bushes will look uneven. If you're using the lavender to make essential oil, it's better to trim them early. If your lavender bushes are very large and overgrown, you can trim them back by half of the plants instead of just a third. Don’t shear straight across. Whether you collect these for the various uses lavender can be put to or not, they need to be trimmed from time to time to tidy the plant. Cut back the top one-third of the lavender plant in late winter or early spring, when new growth begins near the base of the plant. Just hold a clump of flowers in your hand and cut back well below the flowers, taking about a third of the leafy stem as well. From memory the trees are cumquats but I will check next time I am there, Please help us continue to provide you with our trusted how-to guides and videos for free by whitelisting wikiHow on your ad blocker. However, avoid pruning in late fall because frost can damage the new growth encouraged by pruning. Although summer, after the plant flowers, is the best time to prune, you can prune into late summer or early fall. It has always had flowers on it so when do I prune it, do I just give it a trim every so often. The bees have had a great, "This article was excellent, well presented with diagrams which always helps in the understanding of new concepts. You should wind up with a rounded mound. When you’re ready to trim your lavender, gather together a fistful of stalks, then trim the stems with the shears. We had so much rain in spring that everything grew rapidly with lots of plants being overgrown, swamping nearby plants. It’s important to prune a few months before winter sets in to prevent frost and breakage from the snow. Can I bring a potted lavender plant indoors for the winter? Taking the time to do this will also help to prevent more of the shrub from turning to wood. They don't make a clean enough cut. Play. Pruning vs. Thanks. Prune all the way down into the woody stems. If your lavender is in a pot, check there is a drainage hole at the bottom. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. Once established, lavender requires little water - so if your garden doesn't have excellent drainage, be careful not to overdo it. I’m glad you like the website and I really like having your books on my site, they are full of fascinating information that can’t be found anywhere else! Support wikiHow by 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. 1: Full sun 2: Good drainage 3: Sweet soil pH 7-7.5 4: Prune little but often is best in place of one big prune 5: Choose appropriate varieties and species 6: Use a fertiliser high in potassium and phosphorus for good flowering Lavender will not regrow from the lower stem sections, so cutting into wood will leave bare spots in the bush and weaken the lavender. The best time to prune lavender is after flowering, but this plant is forgiving. By using our site, you agree to our. That way you have lavender in flower in your garden all year round. All the Spanish and Italian lavenders (Lavandula pedunculata and L. stoechas) benefit from an allover trim. For most lavender varieties, pruning is best done during spring, summer, or fall after harvest. You can wait a few weeks after the flower buds open to enjoy them in your garden, but by the time you trim them, the oils won't be as strong. The toughest semi-shrub around, every sunny garden needs this heavenly scented staple. The best time for when to prune lavender is in the spring just as the new growth is starting to come in. A big, woody base is prone to cracking or rotting, so the idea is to keep it from getting too woody. Hang the lavender bunch upside-down in a cool, dry spot. Also, make sure you use pruning shears that have been disinfected in bleach to ensure the plant doesn’t pick up any bacterial diseases. http://learn-how-to-garden.comThe autumn is a perfect time for pruning your Lavender to keep it healthly and productive. Save pieces of trimmed lavender to use in dried arrangements or sachets. This photo was taken at Heronswood the Digger’s garden on the Mornington Peninsula. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. A two year old plant can make a feature plant in the garden by itself. ", time and it was wonderful watching so many. When trimmed properly, lavender shrubs respond by producing loads of fragrant flowers, several times each season. We know ads can be annoying, but they’re what allow us to make all of wikiHow available for free. In late August you can give your French lavender a slightly more vigorous prune to prepare it for the upcoming winter and encourage a … Thanks Penny Don't cut into the woody part of the shrub. I was wondering when to prune my lavenders and how hard to cut them back. ", woody. What do I do if I over-water my lavender? This will help rejuvenate the plants and encourage growth. When should I trim lavender for the winter? Australia's largest farm producing lavender oil is the Bridestowe Estate near Nabowla in the north-east of … Last Updated: July 10, 2020 It has needle-like silvery leaves and bears short, upright spikes of flower in midsummer. I love yours! The lavender will dry over the course of 5 days or so. Once your lavender plant has had one year to establish itself, you’ll need to prune it once a year. While the plant is in bloom, usually in mid-summer, gather up the flower stalks and once again prune the plant back to 2 - 3 inches above where the soft, green growth begins on the lower part of the plant. I, "Everything helped in this article, given I am a 1st time English Lavender owner, and needed to know what to do and, "I have many lavender shrubs. Or is there a time in the year when I can hard prune it by about a 1/3, do they ever stop flowering ?. Much appreciated. I will do as you suggest and see how they are in the spring before deciding whether to replace them. Can I force lavender flowers open in a vase if I cut them too soon? When is the best time to harvest potatoes? Lavender originated in the Mediterranean, but grows well in most climatic areas of Australia and New Zealand. That was important to know. 10 Minute GardenerMark Abbott-Compton ", "I was aware that the wood part did not regrow once cut. If you ever decide you need more lavender in your life, try propagating lavender from cuttings after a routine pruning. Coastal gardens, rocky slopes and planter boxes are all good environments for lavender. Did you know you can read premium answers for this article? Use secateurs for a single plant and a hedge trimmer if you have many. French lavender is a nice alternative to common lavender thanks to its very original flowers.. Key facts for French Lavender. What makes this plant so good is that it easy to grow, easy to prune and hase simply magnificent flowers. Lightly trim the outside, green tips for a neater, more compact look. The fragrance will last a long time. Cutting lavender back too far can also result in fewer blooms. Name – Lavandula stoechas (GB) Name – Lavandula dentata (USA) Family – Lamiaceae. How can I keep my lavandula stoechas (lavender) blooming all summer? Do not trim lavender branches back too far. If your lavender is in the ground, just don't give more water to the plant and all will be okay. Drying lavender this way preserves its color and scent. The Princess Lavender Lavender pedunculata x. French lavender (Lavandula dentata), flowers for most of the year so it can be hard to choose the best time to prune. Harvesting. PRODUCTION OF LAVENDER . This means that pruning can be done in early- or mid-spring without sacrificing the current years flowering. If there isn't, create one; otherwise, just proceed like described earlier. Being popular shrubs in many landscapes, the topic of how to trim a rhododendron bush, including wild varieties like mountain laurel, is a frequently asked question. Prune plants after the main summer flowering period … Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 186,223 times. Follow the contours of the plant. Pruning in Preparation for Winter Prune to an inch above the wood. Now I know, with your help, what to do. cheers Penny. I am just now finding time to do something about this and while most of the garden should have been cut back weeks ago (I always seem to be running weeks behind), now is the perfect time to prune most lavenders. Approved. Did not trim in fall, wanted to know if I could do it in spring. ", "How and when to cut back lavender and clean shears helped. 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. Pruning lavender. Pruning. Uses . Thank you. cheers Penny. Mauve flowers on long stems are held above the foliage in winter and spring. It is best to trim lavender in the spring before blooms occur. Also try and arrange for someone on the ground to help secure the ladder further. What are the little trees planted amongst the lavender hedge above? Never trim lavender with dull pruning shears. One of the very best pink flowering Lavenders is ‘The Princess’ Lavender. In the fall, after the second flush … Wipe down the blades of your pruning shears with rubbing alcohol or bleach to make … Bypass pruners are your best option. Avoid using craft scissors to trim lavender. Katherine Gohmann is a Professional Gardener in Texas. By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. They need at least 2 years to become well established before trimming is necessary. References Space to play or pause, M to mute, left and right arrows to seek, up and down arrows for volume. Though they may look sparse at first, they should come back full and bushy by the next season. English lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) is the most commonly grown and the hardiest lavender of all. Looked after in this way the plant will be very short lived. In the cool of the early morning and late in the afternoon I have been tidying up my garden. These are spring-loaded with two curved blades. Pruning Rhododendron Guide. It can also be pruned now, just cut back about 25% all over, but I would normally prune it in spring, when the other lavenders are … All varieties of lavender hate wet feet. Just make sure to avoid cutting into the woody part of the shrub, since that could cause injury to the plant. Lavender in the tropics ", "Wanted to know how to trim back my lavender, now I know, thanks.". Keep one hand on the ladder and one hand on your pruning saw. Thank you. Italian lavender has two brightly coloured wings at the top of each flower, while the French variety has serrated leaves. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/4\/40\/Trim-Lavender-Step-1-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Trim-Lavender-Step-1-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/4\/40\/Trim-Lavender-Step-1-Version-2.jpg\/aid1384332-v4-700px-Trim-Lavender-Step-1-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":368,"bigWidth":"700","bigHeight":"560","licensing":"