Lavender is a fragrant perennial herb that adds beauty to any garden. Proper pruning during the growing season is essential to keep it healthy and flourishing. Trimming lavender not only stimulates future growth but also helps maintain its shape and size. Neglecting to prune can result in leggy and messy plants. To ensure your lavender looks its best, we’ve gathered expert tips on the correct pruning techniques.
Expert Advice:
Sally McCabe, from the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society, and Damon Abdi, from Louisiana State University’s AgCenter, share their insights on pruning lavender effectively.
Types of Lavender:
There are several varieties of lavender, such as English, French, and Spanish lavender, each requiring slightly different pruning methods based on their characteristics.
English Lavender:
Known for its straight leaves and delightful fragrance, English lavender grows up to 20-24 inches tall. It is hardy in USDA zones 4-8 and blooms in late spring and late summer. Regular pruning in spring and fall is recommended to maintain its shape and encourage new growth.
French Lavender:
French lavender features toothed leaves and vibrant blooms on shorter stems. It grows up to 30-36 inches tall and thrives in USDA zones 8-11. Prune this variety in late spring or early summer to promote bushiness and vibrant flowering.
Spanish Lavender:
A smaller variety reaching 12-24 inches in height, Spanish lavender blooms earlier than French lavender. It is suited for USDA zones 8-9 and is grown more for its colorful appearance than fragrance. Prune in late spring or early summer for optimal growth.
Pruning Techniques:
For English lavender, prune in spring and fall, cutting back woody stems and shaping the plant into a dome. Non-English lavender varieties should be pruned in late spring or early summer to encourage bushiness. Removal of dead or damaged stalks is crucial for overall plant health.
By following these expert tips and techniques, you can ensure your lavender plants remain healthy, vibrant, and beautifully scented throughout the growing season.
To prune lavender effectively, gather a handful of green stems and trim them with pruners, leaving them 2 to 3 inches above where the woody stems start. Remove up to a third of the plant, making sure to cut above the nodes. Trim the oldest woody growth to the ground, and shape the plant into a dome to encourage new growth.
While pruning lavender is straightforward, there are common mistakes to avoid. Cutting woody stems can hinder growth, as pruning green growth encourages future foliage and flowers. Only trim woody stems when shaping the plant or removing dead or damaged parts. Timing is crucial – avoid pruning within six weeks of the first frost to prevent damage from new growth. Pay attention to where you cut, ensuring not to trim below nodes where new growth can sprout. Limit pruning to no more than a third of the plant unless repairing damage.
If lavender is left unpruned, it will grow naturally but may become woody and messy. Deadheading lavender after blooms fade can maintain a neater appearance. Remove flowering stalks where they meet the foliage or just above it.
