Be the first to review this product. For example, L. stoechus cultivars need pruning in summer, right after the first flowers; this will protect the plant from winter snowfall. Choosing plants that grow and thrive in your particular climate is the very first step toward having a beautiful garden . But normally, it blooms, I cut it back, and it blooms another two or three times during the long summer. If you are new to pruning, do not be afraid of making mistakes as lavender grows quickly and will recover well if you unintentionally cut away too much. Thank you in advance for your consideration. Spanish Lavender (Lavandula stoechas) Great for growing as shrubs to create hedges or borders. In Mediterranean climates, there is a lack of rain during the summer, and Mediterranean plants have learned to survive with little water until the rains begin again in the fall. It’s important to prune a few months before winter sets in to prevent frost and breakage from the snow. Pruning Spanish lavender regularly helps encourage branching and a second flush of flower buds. When to Prune Lavender Bushes. Pruning in August allows the plant to recover quickly while there is still some warm weather in the subsequent weeks. Even though the flowers are well past the best time to harvest for dried flowers or oil, it is still worth stripping the stems and drying … Annual pruning is likely to be the only care you need to give your lavender plant, making it the perfect low maintenance shrub. The result will be an attractive, fragrant, gray-green shrub throughout the rest of the year. English lavender thrives in poor free-draining soils and can cope with either sandy (acidic soils) or Chalky (Alkaline soils). Pruning lavender – Is it English, French or Spanish Lavender? In my experience, I have found that pruning lavender plants in the spring and summer, and lightly in September, helps them to look and grow better, over a longer period of time. Lavender may flower a second time if you prune off the old flowers after the first flush of summer blooms. I would like permission to use your Spanish lavender photo in an article I am writing for the Victoria, Texas newspaper (The Advocate). Traditionally, we prune lavenders to compact mounding forms that look attractive and yield maximum blooms. If you pruned your lavender, but it still has failed to flower, the most likely reason is that the lavender plant isn't getting enough sun. All lavenders bloom on the stems that grew in the current year. English lavender is easily distinguished from its European cousins, as it has a straight-up uniform flower. 44233. Most gardening … Chris Mulder, Barn Owl Nursery . Fall pruning, which is recommended in warmer regions, can lead to more winter kill in Ontario. The leaves of Spanish Lavender are silver-green with a unique and distinctive flower. Keep trying, just be sure to cut it back after blooming to keep it full. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. I have to replace my Spanish lavender … USDA Zone? I replied that it would probably result in the death of the plant since subshrubs—lavenders in particular—often dislike being cut to the ground. Spanish Lavender blooms profusely in the spring and when it finishes it needs a good pruning. Or, like my husband, you can take a small hedge clipper and cut the shrub into a rounded shape. Copyright @ 2020 Theperfectgarden.co.uk. Cut back by 1/3 to 1/2 stem length, or to a few nodes above old wood if present or the base. French Lavender and Spanish Lavender are less hardy and should be pruned in May. It is the most aromatic of the lavenders and is used in aromatherapy. The important thing to remember about first year plants is not to prune down into the woody part of the stems. Thought I’d try Spanish for something different but it blooms once and blooms are short lived. The variety of lavender will determine how much you can prune off the lavender bush without damaging it. Look for where the woody section turns to soft green growth and then prune about 2 - 3 inches above that. Unpruned lavender plants become woody and often split open in the middle. I planted two Spanish lavenders at my new house. Spring pruning should only be done to remove winter-killed tissues, since flowering potential can be impacted if healthy material is re… However, French and Spanish lavenders have slightly different flowers and leaf characteristics. Tip: Use sharp secateurs for a clean cut, ensuring the wood doesn’t tear which could allow an infection to seep in. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. Lavandula stoechas 'Anouk' PP #16,685. Take care not to cut into the woody part of the plant which can cause damage. The best time to prune lavender is after flowering, but this plant is forgiving. This is actually their dormant period. There are very few rules in gardening, but perhaps the most important one is to work within your zone. Join now. Lavender can be cut back to about two-thirds of their original size. There are three main types of lavender: English lavender, French lavender and Spanish lavender. Pruning your lavender is easy to learn. Lavender should be pruned in August once the lavender flowers have faded from blue to grey. Pruning lavender (Lavandula spp.) Cut off about 2/3 of the plant’s height or to just above the bottom two sets of leaves on each stem. It flowers for very long, exactly since late spring until fall. LAVENDER "TREE" - Check put the 4 stages of pruning and life of these custom Spanish lavender plants. The Spanish Lavender (Lavandula stoechas ‘Otto Quast’) has finished blooming in my coastal garden and its flowers, a vivid purple in the spring (see Spanish Lavender Blooming On the Coast), have turned a dusty brown. Hello Ms. Oliphant, They are not the only shrubs with a halo of beige. Consider using a pair of cordless secateurs rather than loppers to cut through the tough woody part of the plant. Pruning strategy: Cut heavily in autumn to reduce the size just before winter. Spanish Lavender. What can I do to improve their performance or is this just how they are? When is the best time to prune lavender? Prune only lightly after flowering. Cut back to the tiny green shoots low down into the plant. Identification: The whorls of the flower spikes are tightly compacted together. French lavender is less hardy and should be pruned in May to keep the plant in check if necessary. I am going to cut it back this weekend (removal spent blooms) and wasn’t sure if I should cut off the portion of the bush that looks dead? Try to avoid cutting back to old wood as the lavender may never recover. Spanish lavender seeds germinate slowly, taking about two weeks to emerge. Cutting back too much can damage and potentially kill the plant. Jun 5, 2016 - The Spanish Lavender (Lavandula stoechas 'Otto Quast') has finished blooming in my coastal garden and its flowers, a vivid purple in the spring (see Spanish More information Pruning Spanish Lavender English lavender is easily distinguished from its European cousins, as it has a straight-up uniform flower. Pruning in late-summer or early-fall encourages good air circulation, which guards again… Nilfisk C 120 bar 120.7-6 PCAD UK Compact Pressure Washer for Basic... Bestway Round Kids Inflatable Paddling Pool with Filter Pump, Fast Set, 10... Bosch ALB 36 LI Cordless Leaf Blower with 36 V 2.0 Ah... Ryobi RY18SFX35A-0 18V ONE+ Cordless 35cm Brushless Scarifier, 18 V. Yale Y221/61/130/1 Weatherproof Closed Shackle Padlock, 61mm, pack of 1, suitable for... BLACK+DECKER 36 V Lithium-Ion Strimmer with 2.0 Ah Battery. However, it does depend on the variety. Gardening – Australian Labradoodles – Chickens – Cambria Happenings – Backyard Hencam. You have the option of cutting back your lavender or leaving the faded blooms on the plant. The controversy starts when deciding how deep into the plant you can prune. It is rather short-lived (about 4-5 years) then has to be replaced. Deadhead after the flowers open and begin to wilt if you want lavender blooms in the garden. These petals are smaller than that of its Spanish cousins. Yes, Mary. You can prune Spanish lavender by grasping the dead blooms with one hand and using clippers to cut them from the plants. Varieties of Spanish/French Lavender—Lavandula stoechas cvs. 6 - 10. In this article, we look at which month you should prune lavender and why? Most of the Mediterranean plants in my garden have followed suit and are less than brilliant this early July. In late summer or early fall, after the last flush has faded, prune your Lavender stems down to an inch above the wood. The amount of pruning also varies depending on variety, as some lavenders need lighter pruning than others. They look similar to pictures in this article. Mediterranean plants are resting now. French lavender prefers more alkaline soils. One area of my Spanish Lavender (only on one bush), the entire back side of the bush turned gray – like it’s dead but the rest of the plant looks fine. In one instance, I was asked by a fellow gardener if “renewal pruning” was good for lavenders. Thank you for asking. Eventually, as the lilac shrub ages, it will become too woody to be attractive. This year, along the coast, my Spanish lavendar did very poorly. If you prune too drastically, they might not regrow. Spanish Lavender (Kew Red) This one got its famous name from the crimson-violet flower heads that have pale pink petals on top. Pruning Spanish & French Lavender. promotes fuller growth and more flowers for next season. is sometimes referred to as French Lavender. Keep your seedlings in a sunny spot and water whenever the top of the soil is dry. You have to be careful not to water it too much. Or, like my husband, you can take a small hedge clipper and cut the shrub into a rounded shape. All rights reserved. Pruning Lavender is Essential. Pruning: Prune right after the first flowering and again in late August after the last flush has faded. Get involved. Well it really isn't a big deal to get uptight about. There are three main types of lavender: English lavender, French lavender and Spanish lavender. For most lavender varieties, pruning is best done during spring, summer, or fall after harvest. Spanish lavenders prefer sandy, more acidic soils than french lavenders and should be pruned in May as they are less hardy than the English lavender. When to Prune Lavender Pruning lavender. Lavender can be pruned into old wood provided there are small green shoots showing in the woody part of the plant. Some varieties may grow to 3 feet tall and wide and require yearly pruning to maintain bushiness. Pruning the lavender plant puzzles many gardeners, so let us take a look at best practices. Imou Bullet Lite 4MP (QHD) Outdoor Wireless Security Camera - Clear Night... Beeswax Wraps Set of 6 by Bee's Trend | All Natural Food... Fiskars PowerGear X Telescopic Tree Pruner UPX86, Non-stick Coated, Steel Blade/Aluminium Handle,... S SMAUTOP Electric Pruning Shears Swiss SK5 Blade 30mm Cutting Diameter 2... Garland Fab 4 Electric Heated Propagator, Green, 39x25x16 cm, Fiskars Secateurs – Power Geartm Roll Handle Bypass PX92 – Black/Orange, 21,5x6,8x4,0 cm 1023630, Biogreen WM-P4 Warmax Power4 Paraffin Heater, Mercury | 2-Gang Weatherproof Garden Extension Reel | 20m. Lightly prune, harvest, or deadhead blooms throughout the growing season. Learn More. For harvesting and drying, cut off the flowers when only two or three buds on the flower spikes have opened. Follow us. Low Chill Apple Varieties for Mild Climates, Planting during the Coronavirus (COVID-19), Out of the Garden and Indoors with Marie Kondo. Since completing my degree, I’ve been asked time and again how to prune lavender and other subshrubs. There are many conflicting views on lavender pruning but I think we are all agreed that the best time to prune Lavender is in August. Prune off the flowers a second time in late summer if the plant flowers again. Join the RHS today and get 12 months for the price of 9. Previously I had English lavender, which would bloom two or three times a year. Native to the Mediterranean region and North Africa, Spanish Lavender seems to be a more suitable lavender choice for those who garden in hot humid climates. Pruning lavender is relatively easy. Which Month Should I Prune My Peach Tree? Perhaps with careful pruning, yours will last longer. I did very little maintenance (except pruning)on the English Lavender yet it flourished (at a different location although climate is similar). Not sure what caused this but it’s not getting too much water and there isn’t any evidence of insect issues. Spanish lavender is longer blooming, and requires slightly different care - "Pruning Lavandula stoeches (Spanish Lavender) can be a challenge in that in some regions it never stops blooming. Since it grows wild in France, this is understandable since it is collected there to some extent and processed for oil used in perfume. I prefer to prune lavender into a compact grey-green shrub and I am sometimes rewarded with another flush of blooms. You can prune Spanish lavender by grasping the dead blooms with one hand and using clippers to cut them from the plants. Experience shows that pruning is best done after flower harvest in Ontario. Twice a year pruning will keep your plant healthy and compact. Lavender can be pruned in late winter, but pruning lavender in the spring is better. Anouk Spanish Lavender. Pruning the old flowers off Lavender is done every year. This second round of blooms is not as spectacular as the first but it is adds color to a late-summer garden. English lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) is the true lavender for cooking and medicine, and it too should be pruned now, if you haven’t already pruned it to collect the flowers. We prune lavenders to stimulate new green growth, which produces flowers, and to slow the formation of older woody growth, which does not produce flowers. It is much brighter in color than the English and French lavenders. The top of each flowering stem grows larger upright bracts that resemble rabbit ears. Lavenders can quickly encroach on paths, lawns and other plants so giving the plant a good prune can keep them in check and provide a nice mounded shrub for the winter months. ??? Lavender can be cut back to about two-thirds of their original size. Spanish lavender has a stunning flower that is almost pineapple in shape, with larger butterfly winged petals on top. I will be crediting you, of course. SKU. Kew Red Spanish Lavender is a smaller version of Spanish Lavender with medium pink flowers and dark pink flower bracts. The side shoots are pruned off as the plant grows up, creating a bare main stem. First Year Lavender Pruning . Here are detailed instructions on how to prune back your Lavender to keep its shape, encourage repeat blooming and to maintain vigor. This will provide better air circulation and prevent the snow to collect on the shrub and break it, or the wind to blow off weaker branches. This means that pruning can be done in early- or mid-spring without sacrificing the current years flowering. Regular pruning twice a year gives your plant time regenerate fresh flowers and stay in good shape for the next season. Learn How to Prune Lavender like a Pro Many people start to feel nervous about pruning Lavender plants. Try to avoid cutting back to old wood as the lavender may never recover. Eventually, as the lilac shrub  ages, it will become too woody to be attractive. Remove about one-third of each plant's stems, being careful not to remove all leaves, and cut off any remaining spent flowers. The best time to prune back lavender is after it has bloomed, most often in spring or early fall. In mild climates, you can even see flowers all year round. 01:42. If there is significant regrowth, a second, lighter pruning can be done in late summer. This recovery helps protect the lavender from the ravishes of winter. To prune more tender Spanish and French lavender varieties, be more gentle than you would with English Lavender. Pruning lavender is very important for ensuring a healthy plant that does not collapse under the weight of the flowers during bloom. Use sharp secateurs to avoid tearing the woody stems. French lavender is also called Spanish lavender and vice versa. The flowers are held well above the bush, so cut the stem at the base, tip pruning the leaves at the same time. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place. Pruning in spring can delay floweringwhich might be your preferenceand is a good time to take down dead, winter-killed parts and shorten growth to the fat, vigorous buds. After the flowers have finished cut back the flower stalks without going into old wood. The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. I have to replace my Spanish lavender every five years. Hope it helps! It really doesn’t make much difference in the performance next season. However, there is a difference, traditionally french lavender has a narrower flower that leads to the well-known butterfly winged pink flower on the top. 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