Lavenders, with their delightful scent and ability to brighten any garden, are relatively low-maintenance – but pruning is everything to maintain them.
Pruning lavender is crucial to stop it from turning woody and unproductive, as a good trim encourages the plant to focus its energy on blooming more flowers.
Wondering when to give your lavender plants a haircut? David Denyer, a flower expert from Eflorist and past RHS Chelsea Flower Show gold medalist, claimed that now’s the time to start pruning lavender.
He advised: “The best time to give your English lavender and lavenderin types a decent pruning is late summer to early autumn.”
But for those with French lavender, it’s a different story. These varieties aren’t as tough in harsh winter weather and need a bit more care.
David explained: “As soon as you notice new growth beginning in the early spring, give them a small trim. This light trimming encourages your lavender to grow bushy and gets rid of any winter die-back.”
Nonetheless, remember to prune your English lavender at least six weeks before the first frost hits if you’re aiming for a “fuller, bushier and stronger than ever” plant for the next season.
Gardening expert David also dropped some top tips on how to ensure your lavender plants flourish, advising: “By removing spent flower stalks, you’re preparing for a blooming season next year.
“Don’t forget about shape-pruning now keeps your lavender clean and compact, avoiding the scraggly, woody aspect that may make your garden appear unkempt.”
Pruning lavender should be on your agenda if you want it to thrive, and luckily it’s a doddle with each medium-sized plant only taking up 15 to 30 minutes of your time; though larger bushes might need up to an hour or more.
David continued with his sage advice, cautioning: “You want to cut back about a third of the plant, focusing on the green, leafy parts, leaving the woody bit alone.
“For a nice rounded look, give the outside a slightly shorter trim than the middle. Don’t go overboard. A little naturalness is always charming. And remember, lavender is tough, so don’t be shy about giving it a good clip. It’ll bounce back.”
He’s not just talking a load of hot air; David explained that there is still plenty of time to get those secateurs out. He points out that pruning your lavender plants now, at the tail end of summer, allows them extra time to gear up for winter while maintaining their health and vigour.
David concluded by pointing out the long-term benefits: “A good prune now will pay off big time next year. You’ll notice a huge difference. Your lavender will look fuller, bushier, and healthier.
“Plus, you can expect more of those lovely purple flowers. It might look a bit bare for a while, but trust me, it’ll grow back stronger than ever.”
