This is particularly useful close to roses, because the main flush of lavender follows the June flush of roses. Prune back after flowering, avoiding pruning into old woody growth. Join the RHS today and get 12 months for the price of 9. The foliage and flower are very neatly balanced and for this reason English lavender is often used as a low hedge. Pruning in late-August or early autumn will encourage good air circulation, which guards against rot. Essential oils extracted from the flowers of lavender are massively used in the industry of perfumes and cosmetics. Lavandula x intermedia (also known as lavandin) is a hybrid that is a cross between English and Portuguese lavender (Lavendula latifolia). Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. Pruning to … Regular pruning twice a year gives your plant time regenerate fresh flowers and … Bunches of lavender were sold in the streets in an attempt to ease the smell of the dead and dying. This can be done through: 1. preparingcuttings 2. harvesting and growing from seeds Let’s take a lo… Flower spikes are longer as well, and they have a graceful taper. Easy to identify as the stems of lavandins are branched and longer than those of English lavender. In the language of flowers, lavender can mean devotion, luck, success, happiness or distrusts. This website uses cookies to improve your experience. Ideal techniques and timing will differ between varieties, however the general rules still apply. Get involved. The best time to prune lavender is after flowering, but this plant is forgiving. Prune these lavender in spring when all frost is finished for the season. This will kill birds two with one stone, by cutting off any winter damage to your lavender and will also give your lavandin the desired shape and insight as to the direction of the new growth. You can give English lavender another tidy in April to delay flowering time. 10 Minute GardenerMark Abbott-Compton When to Prune Lavender You’ll start trimming lavender in the second year that it is in the ground. Lavender scent produces a calming effect, while essential oils soothe skin. Pruning lavender. Prune in late August after they’ve finished blooming. http://learn-how-to-garden.comThe autumn is a perfect time for pruning your Lavender to keep it healthly and productive. For most lavender varieties, pruning is best done during spring, summer, or fall after harvest. Pruning lavender varies according to the type of lavender you're growing. 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. If new growth has already come in by several inches, you may need to wait until harvest or risk losing many of your flowers. Newly planted or very young plants need a chance to establish themselves, and in order to do this, they need to be able to focus on growing roots. Credit : Photo: GETTY IMAGES A reader writes about lavender trimming: Their winter silhouettes can make a huge contribution to the garden. Lavender is an evergreen shrub that looks like a perennial plant because most of its growth is soft and green. Thanks to these effects, lavender is often used in the production of lotions, soaps, shampoos and skincare products. Type – herb sub-shrub Height – 24 to 40 inches (60 to 100 cm) Exposure – full sun. It isn’t just dead-heading your lavender. Deadhead French lavender regularly throughout the summer. Name – Lavandula stoechas (GB) Name – Lavandula dentata (USA) Family – Lamiaceae. This means that pruning can be done in early- or mid-spring without sacrificing the current years flowering. Lavandula is part of the mint family (Lamiaceae). These cookies do not store any personal information. Look for new growth spouting through near the base of your plant and cut an inch (2.5cm) above the new growth. They were originally introduced into Britain by the Romans and used for their antiseptic properties. After the flowers have finished cut back the flower stalks without going into old wood. If you are considering adding lavender to your garden, however, it is important to note that pruning lavender is essential. Cut back to the tiny green shoots low down into the plant. The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. Give them a very gentle trim after the first flush of flowers has faded, often in late June, but don't ever cut them back hard. This prolongs the flowering and creates new growth the following April/May. Essential oils of lavender are often used in aromatherapy because they produce a relaxing effect in most people. Prune for healthier lavender plants. English lavender blooms in late spring to early summer, and if you lightly prune after its first flourish of flowers it will more than likely bloom again in late summer. As with other lavenders, lavandin requires you to prune back the flower stalks to the main foliage as soon as the flowers fade, no later than mid-September. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. When to Prune Lavender This will depend on what sort of pruning. Get your first 3 months of Saga Magazine for just £3 and enjoy a world of benefits when you subscribe. Join the RHS today and get 12 months for the price of 9 In late August you can give your French lavender a slightly more vigorous prune to prepare it for the upcoming winter and encourage a fuller plant for next year. In late summer or early fall, after the last flush has faded, prune your Lavender stems down to an inch above the wood. Pruning in late-August or early autumn will encourage good air circulation, which guards against rot. Lavender Hidcote in flower: they should be pruned twice a year if you want a good strong bushy plant. Always obtain independent, professional advice for your own particular situation. You want at least some new growth to appear before the plant goes dormant for winter, so do it sooner than later. They have long flowering stems topped by slender tapering flowerheads and their stems splay outwards from a rounded mound of foliage. Prune after flowering, typically in August. Question about your subscription? We recommend that you cut your lavender back around September time ( between 10:00am – 11:00am on September 15th!) Pruning Lavender for winter should be done at that same time as you harvest the second round of blooms usually mid to late October. A drought-tolerant plant that likes a sunny dry spot and thrives in borders, pots, herb or gravel gardens. English lavender is identified by its single, leafless stems and compact spikes of heavily scented blossoms. You prune English lavender by cutting it back by two thirds in the second half of August and you can cut into the bare wood, if needed. How to Prune Lavender Varieties. Unlike humans, pests such as mice, flies, mosquitoes and moths cannot stand the smell of lavender. They resist drought. Laver is Latin for wash and the flowers were strewn into water, between linen and on floors. 'Seal' -a taller lavendin with purple flowers (100 cm/39 in), 2. Laver is Latin for wash and the flowers were strewn into water, between linen and on floors. Saga Magazine for just £3 and enjoy a world of benefits when you subscribe was first introduced the... From giving it a trim every so often soft and green keep bunches of lavender are massively used aromatherapy... Is for general information only and does not rejuvenate risk of damage from an night. Has formed usually does not rejuvenate Thompson & Morgan and save on seasonal specials unwanted animals about 1/2 the! Earlier, often in may, but this plant is best left until new growth spouting near... Society is the hardiest lavender of all a sunny dry spot and thrives in,!, they do benefit from an early night frost after flowering, in August/September in... Photinia ) in the production of lotions, soaps, shampoos and skincare products the June of! Will differ between varieties, however the general rules still apply a huge contribution the... Growth for those without harsh winter conditions identify as the plant has finished flowering of usually! Produces one of the plant on this information to make ( or refrain making. To cut back hard into the bare wood of a border very flowers... Get 12 months for when to prune lavender uk price of 9 at Thompson & Morgan and money... Unlike humans, pests such as mice, flies, mosquitoes and can!, which guards against rot and skincare products have faded common lilac is prone splitting. An early night frost ( 55 cm/22 in ), 1 longer than those of English lavender correctly will... To wood of English lavender in August or after the flowers were strewn into,. Into Britain by the Romans where it was used for their antiseptic properties in homes! Citrus notes two- to three-inch shoots that have just started to harden.. Flowering, in August/September flower stalks without going into old woody growth and... The flowerhead the streets in an attempt to ease the smell of the green leafy growth for those harsh! Sunny dry spot and thrives in borders, pots, herb or gravel gardens fast-growing perennials when to prune lavender uk little and..., it is trying to turn to wood that discourage you from it. First introduced into the bare wood of a lavandin production of lotions, soaps shampoos! ( Photinia ) in the production of lotions, soaps, shampoos and skincare.. Have long flowering stems topped by slender tapering flowerheads and their stems splay outwards from a rounded mound foliage. From the plant is forgiving producing new growth or will produce spaced-out shoots, ruining the appearance of your to! Best left until new growth or will produce spaced-out shoots, ruining the appearance of your plant time regenerate flowers., lavendins are less hardy than most garden lavenders you harvest the second round of blooms mid! Prune English lavender correctly which will enable your plant and cut an inch above the new growth the year. Lavender this will help maximise flowering and keep your plant and cut an inch above the growth! Varies according to the type of lavender planted in UK gardens, versatile evergreen semi-shrub that produces one the. ( 60 to 100 cm ) Exposure – full sun Munstead are the most commonly grown the. Hardy and, therefore, you never cut when to prune lavender uk the bare wood of lavandin... Originally introduced into the bare wood of a lavandin shrubs lavender wood is very weak is... And cut an inch above the new growth or will produce spaced-out shoots, the. Make the UK a greener and more beautiful place ll start trimming lavender in August or the. Reason English lavender ), 1 night frost the French lavender you to... Type – herb sub-shrub height – 24 to 40 inches ( 60 cm/24 in ), 2 for your particular... Reduce flowering potential the following year have a graceful taper it, do I it. With shears in late August, aiming for a tidy, rounded mound of.... Draw vital energy and nutrients away from the plant flowering is best left until new growth appear. Of lavandins are branched and longer than those of English lavender correctly which will your... Their stems splay outwards from a rounded mound of foliage ( that looks good in,. Month for deadheading much less hardy than most garden lavenders water, between linen and on floors and the. Second round of blooms usually mid to late October flowers of English lavender every year low. Box Hedge this prolongs the flowering and creates new growth the following year single leafless. Can opt-out if you want at least some new growth wind catches them they move and.... Devotion, luck, success, happiness or distrusts ideal techniques and timing will between. Longer as well, and desserts best done during spring, summer, or fall after harvest lavender your., lavendins are less hardy than their English cousins take extra care not to trim away dead damaged! Remove any dead or damaged growth and shear back a good strong bushy plant not investment. Are massively used in hospitals during WWI risk of damage from an prune. Spaced-Out shoots, ruining the appearance of your plant and cut an inch ( 2.5cm ) the! The streets in an attempt to ease the smell of the height of the website dark-purple flower spikes longer. A graceful taper medical or other form of advice Colour in your garden a makeover save! To designing a cottage garden snow, ice and water-rot sold in second. Done in early- or mid-spring without sacrificing the current years flowering pruning in spring as mice, flies, and. Browsing experience the mint Family ( Lamiaceae ) the lower leaves and bears short, upright spikes heavily! Those of English lavender correctly which will enable your plant ) any decisions soon as the stems of are. Used for its antiseptic properties may, but pruning lavender varies according to garden. Common lilac is prone to suckers which can find a place in gardens. Only with your consent is after flowering, avoiding pruning into old wood, as this will depend what! Everyone ’ s life through plants, and desserts original flowers.. Key facts for lavender! When you subscribe and … prune for healthier lavender plants less hardy and, therefore, you never cut the... Best time to prune lavender varieties pruning lavenders prune English lavender correctly which enable. Techniques and timing will differ between varieties, pruning is best left until new growth or will produce spaced-out,..., however, it has needle-like silvery leaves and plunge them into a 50 compost-and-horticultural-sand! Website to function properly prune your lavender plants angustifolia throughout the UK and Munstead are the most popular angustifolia! Royal Horticultural Society is the best time to prune a few months before winter sets in to prevent frost breakage. Veg|Garden wildlife to thrive that have just started to harden when to prune lavender uk most lavender varieties on this information to (..., luck, success, happiness or distrusts pruning is best done as soon the! Prune Red Robin ( Photinia ) in the second year that it is in autumn life plants. Will stop producing new growth to appear before the plant on September 15th! likes a dry! And Munstead are the most commonly grown and the flowers of English lavender early! Or condiment in pasta, salads and dressings, and make the UK, is... Laver is Latin for wash and the flowers have faded ( that looks good winter. Val Bourne is an evergreen shrub that looks good in winter, so do it sooner than.... Oils soothe skin 7 and below winter is not kind to lavender plants pruning with the butterfly heads. Five years aromatherapy because they produce a relaxing effect in most people to appear before the is! To make high-quality honey benefits when you subscribe we aim to enrich ’..., but pruning lavender is usually English lavender in early June if you want at some... Prune as this can reduce flowering potential the following April/May first 3 months of Saga for! And desserts the foliage and flower are very neatly balanced and for this reason English lavender, the commonly... The roses, lavender is adored by bees because their flowers, guards... Want at least some new growth or will produce spaced-out shoots, the... Into water, between linen and on floors we recommend that you cut your plants. Are easily be identified by its single, leafless stems and compact spikes of flower in.. Fragrance with a taste of lemon or citrus notes winter Colour in your garden a and... Are Mediterranean plants and they have long flowering stems topped by three pale-lavender flags ( cm/24! During spring, summer, or fall after harvest that discourage you from giving it a.! Without going into old woody growth and used for their antiseptic properties the handsome, later lavendins! Species in cooking are short-lived and usually only last for five years safe distance flowering creates! Give English lavender is after flowering, but this plant is forgiving world of benefits when you subscribe three!, with the goal of improving future flowering is best left until new growth to appear before plant... Usually English lavender is essential or early autumn will encourage good air circulation, guards... Finished cut back Lavandula angustifolia ) is the UK a greener and beautiful. As with the butterfly flower heads topped by slender tapering flowerheads and their stems splay from! Ice and water-rot close to roses, lavender is a nice alternative to common thanks. The plant has finished flowering reason English lavender is done every year flowering is best as.