Why prune lavender?
Pruning serves several purposes:
Encourages new growth: Pruning stimulates fresh shoots, leading to a more substantial, bushier plant.
Promotes better flowering: Regular pruning helps lavender produce more attractive purple blooms and prolongs the flowering season.
Supports plant health: Removing dead or diseased parts improves airflow and helps reduce risk of mould and fungal infections.
The best time to prune
Lavender is generally pruned twice a year: a light cutting in early spring and a more significant one after flowering. The timing depends on the type of lavender you have planted and the climate in your region.
How to prune lavender
In general, trim the plant back by at least one-third, cutting just above the green growth and leaving a few inches of foliage.
Use clean, sharp pruning shears or scissors to make precise cuts. Avoid tearing the plant tissue.
Cut just above the leafy, green growth, rather than into the woody stems at the base of the plant. This promotes new growth while preserving the plant’ s structure.
Some gardeners like to shape lavender into a rounded mound to keep it attractive and compact. That is fine, but just make sure you avoid cutting back too severely.
It also helps to remove spent flowers regularly. Deadheading keeps the plant tidy, encourages further flowering, and stops it from putting energy into seed production.
A world of lavender
What else helps lavender thrive?
Lavender is relatively easy to grow, whether as a single specimen or as part of a hedge, but a few basics make all the difference:
Soil and sunlight: Lavender thrives in well-draining soil and plenty of sunlight. Ensure it’ s planted in a location with full sun exposure and avoid overwatering. Use sand, gravel, or compost to improve drainage if necessary. Slightly alkaline soil conditions are ideal.
Winter care: In colder areas, a layer of mulch can help protect the plant during the winter months. Once the weather begins to warm up, lightly trim away any frostdamaged growth.
For further information on plant specific forms of lavender, search for lavender at plantinfo. co. za Tool ideas: www. gardena. com / za
Spring pruning: In early spring, lightly prune lavender to remove any dead or damaged branches from the winter. Trim about one-third of the plant’ s height, and avoid cutting into the woody base.
Post-flowering pruning: After the first bloom cycle, which usually occurs in late spring to early summer, prune more heavily to encourage a second crop of flowers. |
Lavandula dentata French lavender |
Lavandula angustifolia True or English lavender |
Lavandula stoechas Spanish lavender |
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