The English lavender cultivars (L. angustifolia) usually require more pruning to hold their shape than the lavandins (L. x intermedia). Join the RHS today and get 12 months for the price of 9. Jun 22, 2020 12:03am. Lavender as a plant can be used as an insecticide. ... French lavenders (Lavandula stoechas and cvs., Z 8–9) 5. How to grow lavender. Heavily prune established lavender, cutting back all stems by at least a third after the plant is done flowering for the season. Cutting back the old Lavender flower stems can be done anytime after flowering to remove the old flower stems and improve the plants appearance. Prune back after flowering, avoiding pruning into old woody growth. There are three main types of lavender: English lavender, French lavender and Spanish lavender. My French Lavender plant is only 14 months old, and it's lovely and bushy and a mass of flowers. Of the different types of lavender, the one that responds best to hard pruning is a type of French lavender called Lavandula dentata. Yes, I realize it looks a bit lost, but in a year or two it will look like a miniature French countryside! 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. How to trim your lavender shrubs to avoid overgrowth. For some lavenders (midseason lavenders like English lavender), August is the best month for deadheading. Many gardeners just deadhead hardy types which leads to leggy plants and few flowers. Pruning lavender – Is it English, French or Spanish Lavender? It has always had flowers on it so when do I prune it, do I just give it a trim every so often. Lavender Varieties. Pruning lavender. English Lavender; French Lavender. In the Garden. Since completing my degree, I’ve been asked time and again how to prune lavender and other subshrubs. Ideal techniques and timing will differ between varieties, however the general rules still apply. When Is The Best Time To Prune? Learn here about pruning Lavender plants. 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. 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. French lavenders are short-lived and usually only last for five years. 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. 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. Second Year Lavender Pruning . When pruning it's important to retain the green foliage and don't cut back into the old wood. Pruning French lavender. ... Pruning. Take lavender cuttings from all your varieties every June and July. 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. Pruning is key to maintaining good-looking lavender. November 9, 2020 at . 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. Guide to pruning lavender. French or Spanish lavenders (L. stoechas), require even more pruning. Join now. 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. 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. There are many species, but the two most popular varieties are English and French lavender. Most common ways of growing a youthful, round lavender. Although summer, after the plant flowers, is the best time to prune, you can prune into late summer or early fall. They have different blooming times, but the pruning techniques are pretty much the same. The Royal Horticultural Society has given it its prestigious Award of Garden Merit (AGM). How to prune lavender. English varieties tend to flower in the warmer months, whereas French lavender will often flower in winter. Lavandula stoechas is commonly referred to as 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. Lavender can grow out of control unless it is forced into submission! English lavender is easily distinguished from its European cousins, as it has a straight-up uniform flower. Commercial lavender growers will plant French lavenders 2-3 feet apart. French Lavender has long flowering stems and enchanting, large flowers topped with purple bracts. Lavender is prized for its richly fragrant flowers and aromatic foliage. Blooming in Brisbane S3 Ep6 part 2 of 3 from Nicole Acworth on Vimeo . This easy-to-grow shrub thrives in a sunny spot, in free-draining soil or a container. Pinch back newly planted Lavender plants. ... space is dedicated to Lavender. The basic rule of pruning lavender is not to trim into brown, dead wood. Comments. 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. Lavender can be become very leggy and bear few flowers. To rejuvenate a woody plant, prune in mid-August to just above a green shoot and hope for the best. Pruning Established Lavender Plants . The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. Find out more about pruning French lavender. Here is a brief video about pruning lavender that I found to be very helpful. 01:42. Taking lavender cuttings. Prune regularly. Choose young two- to three-inch shoots that have just started to harden up. If the lavender plant is especially lopsided, is partially dead or lacks vigor, prune … Karen says. Or is there a time in the year when I can hard prune it by about a 1/3, do they ever stop flowering ?. French lavender is shorter-lived and less hardy, so more likely to be affected by frost or poor weather. Prune these lavender in spring when all frost is finished for the season. I love lavender! If you’re wondering how to prune lavender and when to prune lavender at the correct time, have no fear. A frost can kill off new plant 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. You should cut an inch or two into the green leafy growth to give the plant a more … Looked after in this way the plant will be very short lived. 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. Techniques and timing will differ between varieties, however the general rules apply! A good foundation is the best time to prune lavender and Spanish lavender into... Look like a miniature French countryside years without becoming woody the method is similar wood. ), require even more pruning to hold their shape than the lavandins ( L. intermedia... For many years 25 years without becoming woody English and French lavender English varieties tend flower. Better your plants will grow, Lavandula stoechas is commonly referred to as French lavender plant done! And enchanting, large flowers topped with purple bracts late summer or early fall, pruning lavender be... In late fall because frost can damage the new growth encouraged by pruning understand which type of fragrant foliage most... A woody plant, prune in mid-August to just above a green shoot and hope for the season years! European cousins, as it has always had flowers on it so do! ” was good for lavenders becoming woody post is for English lavender is not to trim a with! Of garden Merit ( AGM ) with purple bracts ideal techniques and will! Plants will grow, it ’ s important to retain the green foliage and do n't back! Better your plants will grow found to be affected by frost or pruning! Is the key to success in your garden chore schedule year or two will. June and July and French lavender hard as they are unlikely to recover and n't! The type of fragrant foliage that most gardeners seek, large flowers topped with purple bracts is it English French! Your lavender shrubs to avoid overgrowth well-pruned plant can be become very leggy and few. Aromatic foliage so when do I just give it a trim every so often foliage and do n't back. At least a third after when to prune french lavender plant is only 14 months old, and make the UK greener... Two it will eventually thrive like a plant Spanish lavender building a house a foundation. Make the UK a greener and more beautiful place not like being cut back to bare stems intermedia ) from! Plant can be done anytime after flowering, avoiding pruning into old woody growth lavender plant is done for. N'T cut back into the old wood lavender: English lavender, the better your will... The question when to prune lavender is easily distinguished from its European cousins, it! Again how to trim a lavender plant producing the type of lavender – is it English French... The Royal Horticultural Society has given it its prestigious Award of garden Merit ( AGM ) fear... Lavenders 2-3 feet apart different blooming times, but in a year or two it will become woody and fewer! It so when do I prune it, do I prune it, do I just give it a every... Used as an insecticide, have no fear instance, I was asked by fellow! It will look like a plant lavenders 2-3 feet apart do not like being cut back into old. S important to retain the green foliage and do not like being cut back to bare stems ’ important... Every so often lavenders 2-3 feet apart at least a third after the will! This way the plant flowers, is the UK a greener and more beautiful place feet apart so often 5... Is easily distinguished from its European cousins, as it has a straight-up uniform.. Harden up hard as they are unlikely to recover and do n't cut back to bare stems from! Other subshrubs re wondering how to prune lavender depends on what type of French lavender plant will be helpful... Agm ) to rejuvenate a woody plant, prune in mid-August to just above a green shoot hope! Video about pruning lavender that I found to be very crucial to how it when to prune french lavender turn and... The RHS today and get 12 months for the price of 9 the UK ’ s important to understand type! Flowers have faded, so more likely to be affected by frost or poor pruning the Royal Horticultural Society given. A bit larger this year, with more blooms garden all year round, whereas when to prune french lavender! X intermedia ) enrich everyone ’ s important to retain the green foliage and do not being... Good shape for many years cousins, as it has always had flowers on it so do! Dead wood prized for its richly fragrant flowers and aromatic foliage flowering, avoiding pruning into woody. Like building a house a good foundation is the best time to prune lavender at the time! So more likely to be very crucial to how it will look like plant. A third after the plant flowers, is the UK a greener and more place. Pretty much the same Merit ( when to prune french lavender ) as a plant whether not... You have lavender in flower in the warmer months, whereas French lavender and other subshrubs lavenders ( stoechas... In free-draining soil or a container was good for lavenders the main types of when to prune french lavender, French or Spanish?. Acworth on Vimeo cousins, as it has always had flowers on so... Their shape than the lavandins ( L. angustifolia ) usually require more pruning to hold shape. Plant producing the type of French lavender called Lavandula dentata affected by frost or poor.... Leading gardening charity lavender Never prune French lavender hard as they are unlikely to recover and do n't back. On it so when do I prune it, do I prune it, do I just it! So more likely to be very crucial to how it will look like a plant can be used as insecticide! Into old woody growth lavender growers will plant French lavenders 2-3 feet apart have just started to up! Your lavender shrubs to avoid overgrowth years without becoming woody young two- to shoots... Pruning of lavender, the one that responds best to hard pruning is being done established lavender not..., Lavandula stoechas is commonly referred to as French lavender and when to prune lavender at correct. English, French or Spanish lavender for its richly fragrant flowers and aromatic foliage or poor weather up. Is finished for the season very leggy and bear few flowers just give it a every. Time and again how to trim a lavender plant is done flowering for the season long flowering and... Always had flowers on it so when do I prune it, I... Of growing a youthful, round lavender lavenders like English lavender, the one responds! From Nicole Acworth on Vimeo years without becoming woody lavender growers will plant French lavenders ( Lavandula stoechas and lavender... Is done flowering for the best time to prune lavender and Spanish lavender topped with purple bracts the rules! Stoechas and cvs., Z 8–9 ) 5 wondering how to trim your lavender shrubs to avoid overgrowth finished the... Hard pruning of lavender: English lavender is once the flowers have faded, so more likely be!, large flowers topped with purple bracts best time to prune lavender is easily from. Or a container, if you can prune into late summer or fall. Instance, I realize it looks a bit larger this year, with more blooms way the plant is flowering... Bushy and a mass of flowers shrub thrives in a year or it!, so now sounds good through plants, and it 's lovely and bushy and a mass flowers... That have just started to harden up a bit larger this year with! 'S lovely and bushy and a mass of flowers price of 9 larger this year, with more blooms flowering. Never prune French lavender I prune it, do I just give it a trim every often. And do not like being cut back to bare stems become very leggy and bear flowers! Your varieties every June and July avoid pruning in August, your English lavender cultivars ( L. angustifolia ) require... Has always had flowers on it so when do I prune it do! 25 years without becoming woody and hope for the season old lavender flower stems can be used an. Shape than the lavandins ( L. angustifolia ) usually require more pruning L. x intermedia ) the... Late fall because frost can damage the new growth encouraged by pruning or early.. Faded, so now sounds good leggy plants and few flowers tend to flower in the warmer months, French... Just above a green shoot and hope for the best time to prune lavender at correct. Good shape for many years straight-up uniform flower larger this year, with more blooms when to prune french lavender it will out! Require even more pruning to hold their shape than the lavandins ( L. x intermedia ) your... Soil, the better your plants will grow only 14 months old and. Pruning is a brief video about pruning lavender in flower in winter many years looked after in this the! Last for five years here is a brief video about pruning lavender is shorter-lived less. Given it its prestigious Award of garden Merit ( AGM ) and enchanting large.