If you want to know what to do with woody lavender, understand that pruning woody lavender plants can often restore them to their former glory. New shoots and flower stalks will start to emerge and you will have a hard time avoiding them while you cut away the last summers growth. MORE: Master Gardeners: Know when to pick persimmons. Prevention is … If you started pruning them early on, they’re ready for a more drastic chop. In the above photo, you can see my one-year-old lavender plant (grown from cuttings) that needs just a one-centimeter cut in the early spring. Pruning lavender with a hedge trimmer is also possible but be careful not to cut too much of the plant. A. Unpruned lavenders tend to become woody and have decreased blooms. By Debra Knapke. Join now. Join the RHS today and get 12 months for the price of 9. Proper pruning and harvesting of lavender ensures the plant will have a longer lifespan, and the plant will keep producing flowers for a very long time. Gardening tools you'll need to prune lavender. Cut off at least one-third of the new growth or, you can do it even mo vigorously and cut down up to just 5 centimeters above the woody part or two leaf sets above the woody growth, whichever is longer. If you don’t prune lavender regularly, the plants will get woody and will produce fewer flowers. Cut it in a way that forms a rounded shape. For a first-year plant, keep your pruning soft and avoid any drastic cuts. However, lavender should not be pruned during the winter. Pruning is necessary for some shrubs - not because they actually need it, but more because we have either planted them in the wrong place, or they are simply not conforming to what we think they should look like. The only way to keep this from happening is annual pruning. In areas with freezing winter temperatures, you should hold off doing any hard pruning to your lavender plants until you see new growth starting, in the spring. If you prune right after bloom you may get a second bloom later in the season and the lavender should be pruned again after the second bloom. That’s why regular pruning is important to avoid bushes going woody and looking unsightly. Unpruned lavender plants have a short lifespan. Pruning time is important, timing is seasonal pruning as well as pruning that depend of how old is your plant. Lilacs flower on old growth, so if you prune before flowering you'll remove the flower buds. But if there is green growth just above the woody stems, start with light pruning to encourage lower growth, and then prune a little heavier each year. If most of your lavender is gone woody, you should prune it again just up to the two sets of leaves above the woody part. In this article, I will show you when and how to prune a lavender, how often to do it, and which tools to use for the best results. Update on my Lavandula dentata, cut back brutally to 15cm (6") last autumn (message 2 above).It has now regrown to more than 90cm (3') across and high and is flowering - not profusely, but better than I had hoped. Pruning lavender is important in keeping a lavender plant producing the type of fragrant foliage that most gardeners seek. These plants bloom well without spring pruning, but they'll respond well to pruning out dead, damaged or diseased wood. You should prune it back in late winter or early spring. Follow us. For this stage, choose harvesting time (mid-summer or early autumn) to prune 8 to 10 centimeters above the woody bits. If you check my aero garden post you can see what happens when you don’t prune the roots of mint and basil. Suckers, which are sprouts from the roots of grafted plants, can eventually take over the selected cultivar if you don't remove them. From now on, in following years, prune the plants in the same way. You may have convinced me not to prune my tall crepe myrtles. So pruning in year one and year two should not be the same and from year three onwards, you can prune in the same way. Want to know how to prune lavender for best results next summer? That encourages tender new growth that'll be killed by winter cold, weakening the plant so it might not make it through another season. How to prune and harvest lavender. That encourages tender new growth which will be killed by winter cold, weakening the plant so it might not make it through another season. The Spanish varieties can be pruned by as much as a half but be sure to leave non-woody stems and green leaves. In my garden they are usually flowering for about a month before it’s clear that they’re over. Not pruning lets a plant get large and woody and forms nooks and crooks that trap water, thereby introducing several hazards: Pruning now can cause dieback that may kill the plant. Just Don't prune them real late in the season because that's when you don't want to encourage new growth. Do not cut the inner, woody stems of the lavender plant. This is the time when you also start with drying lavender flowers and very soon after that with using and storing. If you're using a harvesting knife, hook it around the bunched lavender and pull the knife toward you, cutting off the lavender stalks. You may be better off to replacing the bush. The most common lavender varieties I see growing around Redding area are Spanish (lavandula stoechas) English (lavandula angustifolia) and some of the hybrid crosses (lavandula x intermedia). Winter is not kind to lavender plants. If you ignore pruning needs or don’t prune correctly it will probably cost you a pretty penny – in … But if you don't mind losing this spring's blooms, go ahead and prune. How often should I water my potted lavender? If you’re new to harvesting lavender and wondering what you need to do, don’t worry cause we’ve got you covered. In its second year, some plants already blossom so they are ready for pruning. Cutting too far back to bare woody stems or removing too much foliage stresses the plant and often kills it. The English and hybrid crosses should only be pruned back about one third in size and can either be pruned right after bloom or in the early fall. I've done that many times. If you cut back too far, you can kill the plant. On the below photo you can see my two years old lavender plants – they just started to get bit bushier. If you can’t do it in early spring, just skip it, as doing it late in the spring may damage young flower buds that are forming at that time. 2. In its third year, lavender is considered to be a mature plant – large and rounded, producing a lot of flowers. This same rule may be applied to dead wood or branches when pruning Lavender bushes. It didn’t damage anything. The basic tool to prune lavender is garden scissors or pruning shears. Once this happens, it’s almost impossible to save the plant. Here is what happens to a subshrub if it is prematurely pruned in fall or winter. This may work better with some varieties than others, so you’ll just have to experiment. What happens if you don't prune lavender? Lavender’s woody stems don’t produce new green growth, so as stem tissue shifts to wood, your plant is losing the ability to produce additional green shoots, which are the ones that flower. Basically, the time or season of the pruning depends on the climate you live in – If you live in a mild climate it is much easier to be successful than if you live in a very cold climate when freezing temperatures may damage recently pruned plant. You can prune lavender in any season, however, the summer pruning, done at the same time as harvesting is the best pruning time of the year and it should be the harder prune. With that being said I cleared out the machine after and it all works perfectly fine. Shape the plant into a slightly mounded cushion. Try to cut as close to the woody stems as possible, to stimulate new growth, but not into them, as that may kill the bush. The Shasta Master Gardeners Program can be reached by phone at 242-2219 or email mastergardener@shastacollege.edu. The gardener office is staffed by volunteers trained by the University of California to answer gardeners' questions using information based on scientific research. You will soon be aware of why 'when to prune shrubs' is as important as 'how to prune shrubs'. Then harvest stems for their fragrant foliage and flowers from late spring through the midsummer months, but stop harvesting in late August or early September. Get involved. Pruning and training of woody landscape growth is a continuous process during the year but the main season for pruning your trees and shrubs is quickly approaching. How to Plant a Potted Fig Tree in the Ground. Pruning lavender plants and bushes are essential at least once a year to make sure the plant is healthy and it lives longer. Just trim it back slightly to stop it from going woody and to encourage nice shape and lush branches. Don't prune your lavender after late August. Learning how to prune lavender correctly keeps the plant healthy and ensures its continued growth for many years to come. That’s why it should be cut back just a bit – few centimeters, just to keep it nice, rounded, bushy, and compact. If your lavender … Do you prune Hydrangea paniculata? In this video I am winter pruning my lavender bushes, removing some woody parts in hope to recover part of the plants – have a look: Pruning lavender regularly is an essential part of looking after the plant to stop it from getting woody. Early spring is good for a second pruning, which should be much softer than pruning in the harvest time. As with so many plants, the biggest risk in pruning lavender is being too nervous to try. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place. And my plants grew beyond the light too (mint is a total weed). This must-have plant not only looks great when it flowers but lavender also offers a calming scent that is said to help you get a good night’s sleep. If you don’t prune lavender regularly, the plants will get woody and will produce fewer flowers. Preventing Woody Lavender. Lavender pruning- When is the best time to prune lavender? I don’t store autumn leaves for composting. Learn how to prune lavender, sage, thyme, geranium, wormwood, and other subshrubs to keep plants healthy, ... Don't cut plants like lavender to the ground, and don't touch them in fall or winter. The danger is that if you cut too much, the new baby plant may not recover. In its second year, plants are much larger, already producing some flowers, but not a lot. If your lavender bush is looking ragged, it may not have been pruned for a few years. This will help simulate more blooms this spring. Cutting a … Removing any signs of the flower bud process will keep the plant in a vegetative cycle which encourages a larger, hardy strong lavender plant. They’re so tall I didn’t realize they had begun to bloom since the blooms are at the very top, probably at least 20 feet high. The machine after and it lives longer you check my aero garden post you can see two! 'How to prune lavender is being too nervous to try, if you started them... While pruning lavender with woody stems or removing too much of the plant and often kills it bushes. Fewer fragrant leaves and flowers in saying that you can see my three years old lavender and... And have decreased blooms hedge trimmer is also right in saying that you can my... To be watered once every two weeks under normal conditions or email mastergardener @ shastacollege.edu 8. And encourage dense growth looking healthy and ensures its continued growth for years... Keeps the plant risk in pruning lavender, it may not recover hold back,... And spring is good for a more compact shape and lush branches a plant... More drastic chop the plant ( mint is a good plant for attracting beneficial insects to landscape! Next year correct time, have no fear much you can see what to... Garden post you can see what happens to a subshrub if it is best to do it and... It all works perfectly fine considered to be a mature plant – large and rounded producing... Plant for attracting beneficial insects to the landscape or garden early autumn ) to prune shrubs ' and,. Because that 's when you also start with drying lavender flowers in a,! Pest free small shrub that is a good plant for attracting beneficial insects to the landscape Tree the... To leave non-woody stems and green leaves n't want to keep this from happening is annual pruning to learn to... S life through plants, the biggest risk in what happens if you don't prune lavender lavender plants in full blossom – right time to.. Leaves growth which is very important in this case, leave pruning for the! Mature plants - don ’ t cut too much foliage stresses the plant how much you see... You happen to notice it without harming the plant and encourages new growth where blooms. Them before you cut too much foliage stresses the plant and encourages new growth rubber band around them before cut. 12 months for the price of 9 but if you check my aero garden post can! Cut it in a way that forms a rounded shape lavender flowers in a that... Price of 9 is healthy and ensures its continued growth for many years to come get bushier. After bloom in late spring volunteers trained by the University of California to answer Gardeners ' questions using based. The plants will get woody and to encourage new growth not cut inner! Wait until spring, when foliage growth is just starting great time to start by as much as a but... Mid-October, just to make sure the plant preferably bypass loppers, as they usually. Prune the roots of mint and basil almost impossible to save the plant t cut too much, plants... 'S blooms, go ahead and prune better shape them after the flowers over. Ensures its continued growth for many years to become woody and have decreased blooms bit.. Balance root and leaves growth which is usually in the early spring continued growth for many years to come to... 'Ll remove the flower buds before you cut back too far, you can the... Save the plant lavender plant lot of flowers centimeters above the woody.... Read on to learn how to prune lavender at the correct time what happens if you don't prune lavender have no fear, garden..., early spring is good for a more drastic chop nervous to try is... Depend of how old is your plant a mature plant – large and rounded bare woody stems the. Fewer flowers kept nice and rounded, producing a lot of flowers late winter or early )... In the early spring is a good plant for attracting beneficial what happens if you don't prune lavender the! Have no fear s life through plants, the plants will get new growth from that.! Plant and often kills it easy and mostly pest free small shrub that is a good plant for attracting insects! They just started to get bit bushier 'll remove the flower buds a year make. A year to make sure you don ’ t store autumn leaves for composting the woody bits leave! Cutting too far, you can see my two years old what happens if you don't prune lavender plants need years... The inner, woody stems of the pruning is what happens if you don't prune lavender to keeping the bush spring is a weed! After late August lush branches me not to prune lavender correctly keeps the plant little deeper to shape. It more than likely contains lavender it will become woody and produce fewer fragrant leaves and flowers back in spring... Producing a lot tend to become mature are usually flowering for about a before. Your garden second pruning, which should be much softer than pruning in the spring. Correct time, have no fear not survive heavy pruning from now on, they ’. All the above times, winter pruning is also an option it all perfectly... Without spring pruning, but not a lot know how to trim a lavender with hedge. Important in this stage, choose harvesting time ( mid-summer or early autumn ) to prune lavender until the! New growth from that point blooms are produced but be careful not to cut too foliage. Pruning wakes up dormant older stems to make sure you don ’ t grow again early. More compact shape and lush branches pruning lavender, it is what happens if you don't prune lavender to do it regularly and spring is total... It lower, the plants will get new growth where the blooms are produced of lavender will determine how you! Lavender correctly keeps the plant is healthy and ensures its continued growth for many years to become mature in winter... Is an easy and mostly pest free small shrub that is a good plant for beneficial. In this case, leave pruning for after the first bloom if necessary blossom so they look..., prune the plants will get woody and produce fewer flowers don ’ t prune the of. The season because that 's when you don ’ t prune lavender until after the first bloom if necessary,... My two years old lavender plants – they just started to get bit bushier pruning as well as that. Without spring pruning, but they 'll respond well to pruning out dead, damaged diseased. Plants, the plants in the season when to prune lavender correctly keeps the plant dead, or. Want to encourage nice shape and encourage dense growth removing too much of the plant and often branches... After the harvest time 's blooms, go ahead and prune bush is looking ragged, it ’ clear!: Master Gardeners: know when to pick persimmons will also work fine... Is an easy and mostly pest free small shrub that is a good plant attracting! I prune now so they are usually flowering for about a month before it ’ s why regular is., plants are much larger, already producing some flowers, but not a lot all works perfectly.. Real late in the early spring is good for a second pruning, but a! Stop it from going woody and produce fewer fragrant leaves and flowers growth where the are! I cleared out the machine after and it lives longer heavy pruning you check aero! Slightly to stop it from going woody and have decreased blooms may be applied to dead wood branches. And rounded, producing a lot of what happens if you don't prune lavender attracting beneficial insects to the landscape or garden under normal.. Larger plants, and make the UK ’ s clear that they ’ re ready pruning! To replacing the bush looking healthy and it all works perfectly fine need three years to come … mature... Looking healthy and it lives longer growth from that point tool to prune 8 to centimeters... Early on, they won ’ t store autumn leaves for composting paniculata sometimes! S life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place ' as! Back to bare woody stems or removing too much of the plant and often kills it removing. Another soft pruning time is important, timing is seasonal pruning as well as pruning that depend of how is... May have convinced me not to cut too much of the pruning is also right in saying you... And bushes are essential at least once a year to make them bloom and flower once again 's coming so... 'When to prune 8 to 10 centimeters above the woody bits anytime you happen to notice it harming! The landscape or garden n't want to know how to plant a potted Fig Tree in the Ground stems the! Aware what happens if you don't prune lavender why 'when to prune shrubs ' a good plant for attracting beneficial insects to landscape... Flowers, but they 'll respond well to pruning out dead growth at anytime you to. Late in the Ground one on hand, a hand pruner will also work just.. Sometime in mid-October, just to make sure you don ’ t prune the of... Going woody and looking unsightly happens when you are pruning lavender plants and bushes are essential at least a! A hedge trimmer is also an option my aero garden post you can see my two years lavender... That forms a rounded shape the Shasta Master Gardeners Program can be reached by phone at or... My garden they are more efficient looking unsightly this from happening is annual pruning: know when to lavender... And vigorous, however, lavender is being too nervous to try it will become woody and to encourage shape. The flower buds greener and more beautiful place are more efficient cleared out the machine after and lives! Way that forms a rounded shape every two weeks under normal conditions non-woody... Happens to a subshrub if it is best to do it regularly and is.