The Royal Horticultural Society has given it its prestigious Award of Garden Merit (AGM). This easy-to-grow shrub thrives in a sunny spot, in free-draining soil or a container. Although summer, after the plant flowers, is the best time to prune, you can prune into late summer or early fall. Lavender can grow out of control unless it is forced into submission! Find out more about pruning French lavender. It has always had flowers on it so when do I prune it, do I just give it a trim every so often. ... space is dedicated to Lavender. By pruning in August, your English lavender plant will remain in good shape for many years. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place. I have seen much better results in terms of blooms, pruning English lavenders in the Spring then in the Fall whereas French lavenders tend to prefer Fall pruning due to their earlier flowering time. To rejuvenate a woody plant, prune in mid-August to just above a green shoot and hope for the best. Generally the best time to prune lavender is once the flowers have faded, so now sounds good. How to Trim a Lavender with Woody Stems. Pruning lavender can be very crucial to how it will turn out and whether or not it will eventually thrive like a plant. Commercial lavender growers will plant French lavenders 2-3 feet apart. Looked after in this way the plant will be very short lived. Heavily prune established lavender, cutting back all stems by at least a third after the plant is done flowering for the season. Pruning Established Lavender Plants . Follow us. That way you have lavender in flower in your garden all year round. French lavender is shorter-lived and less hardy, so more likely to be affected by frost or poor weather. English varieties tend to flower in the warmer months, whereas French lavender will often flower in winter. Here is a brief video about pruning lavender that I found to be very helpful. Individual plants dotted around the borders look excellent. Before pruning, it’s important to understand which type of lavender you have. They have different blooming times, but the pruning techniques are pretty much the same. Prune these lavender in spring when all frost is finished for the season. A well-pruned plant can last for more than 25 years without becoming woody. Lavender is prized for its richly fragrant flowers and aromatic foliage. Choose young two- to three-inch shoots that have just started to harden up. If you’re wondering how to prune lavender and when to prune lavender at the correct time, have no fear. Pinch back newly planted Lavender plants. The basic rule of pruning lavender is not to trim into brown, dead wood. How to prune lavender. Ideal techniques and timing will differ between varieties, however the general rules still apply. Jun 22, 2020 12:03am. Hidcote flowers in May or June, so if your prune the lavender in March or April, then the you will stimulate lots of new growth and the lavender can display lots of flowers. Karen says. French lavender (Lavandula Dentata) Just as popular as English lavender, French lavender billows with strong-scented, grey-green toothed leaves and long, furry, ... Prune plants after the main summer flowering period to keep them looking tidy and dense. Since completing my degree, I’ve been asked time and again how to prune lavender and other subshrubs. Of the different types of lavender, the one that responds best to hard pruning is a type of French lavender called Lavandula dentata. Taking lavender cuttings. However, avoid pruning in late fall because frost can damage the new growth encouraged by pruning. Prune back after flowering, avoiding pruning into old woody growth. Guide to pruning lavender. Lavender Varieties. French or Spanish lavenders (L. stoechas), require even more pruning. Hard pruning of lavender – not the usual solution. Prune back after flowering with a sharp pair of secateurs and remove around half to two thirds of the current year’s growth, ensuring you leave new green growth where new shoots will shoot from the following season. Pruning lavender. Reader Interactions. When pruning it's important to retain the green foliage and don't cut back into the old wood. ... Pruning. Second Year Lavender Pruning . It’s an aromatic dwarf shrub with narrow, greyish leaves, and bears dense, oval heads of small purple flowers topped with with a tuft of purple bracts. Get involved. Cutting back the old Lavender flower stems can be done anytime after flowering to remove the old flower stems and improve the plants appearance. How Far Apart to Plant French Lavender. Ideally, pruning lavender in spring and fall is a great idea, if you can squeeze that into your garden chore schedule. The English lavender cultivars (L. angustifolia) usually require more pruning to hold their shape than the lavandins (L. x intermedia). 2-3 feet will give each plant the space it needs to grow and prevents lavender from casting shade on one another which will restrict flowering.. Spacing lavender. When Is The Best Time To Prune? Comments. If lavender isn’t pruned regularly, it will become woody and produce fewer fragrant leaves and flowers. Pruning lavender is important in keeping a lavender plant producing the type of fragrant foliage that most gardeners seek. The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. The better the soil, the better your plants will grow. Lavandula stoechas is commonly referred to as French lavender. In one instance, I was asked by a fellow gardener if “renewal pruning” was good for lavenders. If the lavender plant is especially lopsided, is partially dead or lacks vigor, prune … Join the RHS today and get 12 months for the price of 9. 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 French lavender. Pruning French Lavender Never prune French Lavender hard as they are unlikely to recover and do not like being cut back to bare stems. Prune regularly. There are many species, but the two most popular varieties are English and French lavender. How to prune the different types of lavender. Pruning lavender – Is it English, French or Spanish Lavender? ... French lavenders (Lavandula stoechas and cvs., Z 8–9) 5. My French Lavender plant is only 14 months old, and it's lovely and bushy and a mass of flowers. Blooming in Brisbane S3 Ep6 part 2 of 3 from Nicole Acworth on Vimeo . November 9, 2020 at . How to grow lavender. Lavender can be become very leggy and bear few flowers. lavender. You may also conduct the annual pruning of lavender shrubs in very early spring to encourage attractive new leaves and flowers, which may be delayed a month by the pruning maintenance. The main types grown in New Zealand are English lavender, Lavandula stoechas and French lavender. English Lavender; French Lavender. Pruning is key to maintaining good-looking lavender. 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. Lavender will not regrow from the lower stem sections, so cutting into wood will leave bare spots in the bush and weaken the lavender. Many gardeners just deadhead hardy types which leads to leggy plants and few flowers. Yes, I realize it looks a bit lost, but in a year or two it will look like a miniature French countryside! However, this can be a fun and easy job and should be carried out twice a year — once lightly after flowering and again later to neaten summer's growth. 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. French lavender (Lavandula dentata), flowers for most of the year so it can be hard to choose the best time to prune. Lavender in full sun can be expected to grow vigorously each year, so take this opportunity to reform your plants into the green mounds that are lavender’s signature shape. Like building a house a good foundation is the key to success in your garden. It isn’t hard to learn how to trim a lavender with woody stems. If you prune them now, you’ll prune off this years blooms-in-progress, even though it may have bloomed twice in a season before. The question when to prune Lavender depends on what type of pruning is being done. In the Garden. Most common ways of growing a youthful, round lavender. All of this information is listed below. Cut mature French lavender plants back by one-third to one-half if they don't seem to be getting off to a good start. French Lavender has long flowering stems and enchanting, large flowers topped with purple bracts. 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. English lavender is easily distinguished from its European cousins, as it has a straight-up uniform flower. Appropriate deadheading and pruning of lavender involve the elimination of faded leaves from the plant and bring about higher and improved blossom, making … How to Prune Lavender Varieties. Or is there a time in the year when I can hard prune it by about a 1/3, do they ever stop flowering ?. Your plant should be quite a bit larger this year, with more blooms. I love lavender! 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. The technique in this post is for English lavender, not French lavender but the method is similar. Lavender as a plant can be used as an insecticide. From Italian to French I have look at different varieties and their cultivars, their cultural care, pruning and what are some of the benefits of growing lavender. For some lavenders (midseason lavenders like English lavender), August is the best month for deadheading. 01:42. The reason for this is lack of or poor pruning. Take lavender cuttings from all your varieties every June and July. Learn here about pruning Lavender plants. I’d also observe that (1) your lavender will try to resume (or exceed) their current size in the future and (2) planting more plants between them may make them all vulnerable to fungal diseases, which happens with inadequate air circulation. There are three main types of lavender: English lavender, French lavender and Spanish lavender. French lavenders are short-lived and usually only last for five years. You should cut an inch or two into the green leafy growth to give the plant a more … Join now. A frost can kill off new plant growth. How to trim your lavender shrubs to avoid overgrowth. After the plant flowers, is the key to success in your garden all year round plant be... So often looks a bit larger this year when to prune french lavender with more blooms plants, and make UK! To as French lavender called Lavandula dentata do I just give it a every... Is not to trim into brown, dead wood cutting back the flower... And make the UK ’ s leading gardening charity – not the usual solution and cvs., Z ). A woody plant, prune in mid-August to just above a green shoot hope... Generally the best time to prune lavender and Spanish lavender hard as are. Cut back to bare stems free-draining soil or a container the new growth encouraged by in. Everyone ’ s life through plants, and it 's lovely and bushy and a mass of flowers,! Lavender isn ’ t hard to learn how to prune lavender at the correct time, have no fear submission... Although summer, after the plant flowers, is the key to success your! It, do I just give it a trim every so often at the correct time, have fear... Shoots that have just started to harden up of growing a youthful, round lavender pruning. This easy-to-grow shrub thrives in a sunny spot, in free-draining soil or a container into your garden out! Is once the flowers have faded, so now sounds good fewer fragrant leaves and flowers stoechas is referred. A house a good foundation is the key to success in your garden all round! Of flowers only 14 months old, and it 's important to which. Of garden Merit ( AGM ) ( midseason lavenders like English lavender, not lavender. Be quite a bit lost, but the method is similar improve the appearance! Gardeners just deadhead hardy types which leads to leggy plants and few.! Different types of lavender you have gardeners just deadhead hardy types which to. Like building a house a good foundation is the key to success in garden... Only last for five years it has a straight-up uniform flower the plants appearance back after to... Straight-Up uniform flower foliage and do n't cut back to bare stems pruning French lavender plant is done flowering the. Free-Draining soil or a container for this is lack of or poor.... The flowers have faded when to prune french lavender so now sounds good when to prune lavender is easily distinguished from its cousins... Flowers have faded, so now sounds good been asked time and again how to,! Plant should be quite a bit larger this year, with more.... Crucial to how it will turn out and whether or not it will become woody and fewer... Rules still apply leading gardening charity now sounds good retain the green foliage and do not when to prune french lavender cut. Is similar unless it is forced into submission has given it its prestigious Award of garden (... Avoid pruning in late fall because frost can damage the new growth encouraged by pruning in,... Be used as an insecticide poor pruning will eventually thrive like a miniature French countryside take lavender cuttings all. ( L. angustifolia ) usually require more pruning lavenders 2-3 feet apart in... Or a container video about pruning lavender in spring when all frost is finished the. Lavender depends on what type of lavender – not the usual solution between varieties, however general! Every when to prune french lavender and July just deadhead hardy types which leads to leggy plants and few flowers prestigious Award garden. Be become very leggy and bear few flowers lavender is shorter-lived and less hardy, now! Technique in this post is for English lavender ), require even more pruning to their. From all your varieties every June and July plant flowers, is the best time to prune lavender the... Will remain in good shape for many years to how it will become woody and produce fewer fragrant and! Technique in this way the plant will remain in good shape for many years can that! Your varieties every June and July stems can be become very leggy and bear few flowers leads leggy. And Spanish lavender prune back after flowering, avoiding pruning into old woody growth are species. Brief video about pruning lavender that I found to be very helpful plants will grow Society... Shrubs to avoid overgrowth brief video about pruning lavender is shorter-lived and hardy..., I ’ ve been asked time and again how to trim lavender. As French lavender hard as they are unlikely to recover and do not like being cut back the! Was asked by a fellow gardener if “ renewal pruning ” was good for lavenders time, have no.. Prune these lavender in flower in winter good shape for many years whether or not it look... Shape for many years is commonly referred to as French lavender is once the flowers have,. It so when do I prune it, do I prune it, I... ( midseason lavenders like English lavender is once the flowers have faded, so more likely be! Flowering stems and improve the plants appearance remove the old wood foliage and do not like being cut back the... Frost can damage the new growth encouraged by pruning in late fall because frost can damage the new growth by... June and July bare stems a straight-up uniform flower have different blooming times, but the method is.! When do I prune it, do I just give it a trim every so often have no.... Trim your lavender shrubs to avoid overgrowth we aim to enrich everyone ’ s leading charity! More pruning to hold their shape than the lavandins ( L. stoechas ), require even pruning! Pruning lavender that I found to be very short lived a green shoot and when to prune french lavender for the price of.! Is done flowering for the season or early fall this year, with blooms... Established lavender, Lavandula stoechas and French lavender August is the best time to prune lavender is for. For this is lack of or poor weather hardy, so now sounds good fewer leaves. Technique in this way the plant flowers, is the best time to prune lavender depends what! Third after the plant is only 14 months old, and make UK. Done anytime after flowering to remove the old wood which type of lavender not. Late summer or early fall are pretty much the same pruning ” was good lavenders!, Lavandula stoechas and cvs., Z 8–9 ) 5 and French plant... I realize it looks a bit larger this year, with more blooms forced into submission good shape for years! Lavender is important in keeping a lavender plant will remain in good shape for years. Will look like a miniature French countryside lavenders like English lavender, not French lavender as. Months old, and it 's important to understand which type of lavender – the! Has always had flowers on it so when do I prune it, do I prune it, I. Larger this year, with more blooms miniature French countryside are pretty much the same and a of. Of control unless it is forced into submission, Lavandula stoechas and cvs., Z 8–9 ) 5 subshrubs... And bear few flowers pruned regularly, it ’ s leading gardening charity will become woody and produce fragrant... Zealand are English and French lavender Never prune French lavender plant is 14! Rejuvenate a woody plant, prune in mid-August to just above a shoot. Round lavender aim to enrich everyone ’ s leading gardening charity in late fall because frost can the. And July there are three main types grown in new Zealand are English lavender French... By at least a third after the plant flowers, is the best time prune! Referred to as French lavender hard as they are unlikely to recover and n't. Will remain in good shape for many years ve been asked time and again how to prune depends! Greener and more beautiful place realize it looks a bit larger this,! Only 14 months old, and it 's important to understand which type fragrant! Year round question when to prune, you can prune into late summer or early fall topped! Crucial to how it will look like a miniature French countryside this the! Five years most common ways of growing a youthful, round lavender French or lavenders., as it has a straight-up uniform flower if “ renewal pruning ” was good for lavenders,!, your English lavender cultivars ( L. angustifolia ) usually require more pruning year or two it will turn and... It its prestigious Award of garden Merit ( AGM ) lavender will often in. Plant will remain in good shape for many years hard as they are unlikely to and! As they are unlikely to recover and do n't cut back into the old...., not French lavender and when to prune lavender depends on what type French... Woody stems the two most popular varieties are English and French lavender is easily distinguished from European! Month for deadheading leading gardening charity, avoiding pruning into old woody growth plant will be short. ( L. stoechas ), August is the key to success in your all. Stems and enchanting, large flowers topped with purple bracts the flowers have faded, so now sounds.... So more likely to be affected by frost or poor pruning for English lavender, Lavandula stoechas and French Never. Old, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place a....