Lavandula multifida 'Blue Wonder' (Fernleaf lavender 'Blue Wonder') will reach a height of 0.6m and a spread of 0.6m after 2-5 years. Prune large lavender bushes back each spring to control their size, but don't remove more than one-third of the height in a single year even if the plant is badly overgrown. © Copyright 2020 Hearst Communications, Inc. I've also managed tiny tomato plants in pots in windows (with a light). Jenny Harrington has been a freelance writer since 2006. Pruning Large Woody Lavender. Large lavender shrubs become woody if they aren't pruned regularly, which can decrease the amount of blooms. hardya Posts: 2. This is important because the parts of the plant that turn to wood will not produce new lavender stalks. University of California Marin Master Gardeners: Plant Guide -- Lavandula. ... We have an English lavender which has become very large and very woody. Lavender is generally pest-free. Prune stems back lightly in the summer selectively to maintain the desired shape or size or head back especially vigorous stems that look out of place. Angela Ryczkowski is a professional writer who has served as a greenhouse manager and certified wildland firefighter. Add rock mulch to enhance moisture evaporation beneath plants. The distinctive foliage and trident-shaped flower heads are attention getters. Prune large lavender bushes back each spring to control their size, but don't remove more than one-third of the height in a single year even if the plant is badly overgrown. Take care not to cut into the woody part of the plant which can cause damage. Only water the lavender in drought conditions or as it is getting established. English lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) is the most commonly grown and the hardiest lavender of all. Prune to shape in spring after new leaves appear. Fernleaf plants … Species. Cut off about the top third of each lavender stem in early spring when green leaves begin to emerge from the base of the plant. 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. Cut out these older stems, which have already flowered, at their base where they emerge from the ground or main stem. It has attractive grayish green foliage. Harvesting. Now consider drainage, water, pruning and … It has needle-like silvery leaves and bears short, upright spikes of flower in midsummer. Cut off about the top third of each lavender stem in early spring when green leaves begin to emerge from the base of the plant. Many gardeners just deadhead hardy types which leads to leggy plants and few flowers. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in urban and regional studies. Lavenders are perennial, but some species are grown as annuals, especially in cold regions, and thus a degree of confusion has developed among gardeners; "annual" lavenders are perennials in their native ranges that may be grown successfully as annuals. Wipe down the blades of your pruning shears with rubbing alcohol or bleach to make sure all bacteria and potentially harmful germs are removed from the blades. Regular lavender pruning also keeps the plant tidy and attractive, as a lack of pruning or improper trimming can lead to the lavender plant splitting open in the center or becoming woody. Has the same issues as rosemary, I think. Lavender will not regrow from the lower stem sections, so cutting into wood will leave bare spots in the bush and weaken the lavender. develop a pleasant mounded shape that helps showcase the spikes of small purple flowers during early summer. This means that pruning can be done in early- or mid-spring without sacrificing the current years flowering. Pruning vs. Lavandula minutolii. Lavender, for Herbs de Provence. The best time to prune lavender is after flowering, but this plant is forgiving. Shape the plant lightly to retain its mounded form and cut out any dead or damaged stems. Lavender flowers are harvested as fresh-cut flowers or dried. Depending on the flowering habit, snip off faded blooms individually, or wait until the blooming period is over and remove entire flower stalk down to the base of the plant. Pruning Instructions. Prune this shrub-like perennial in the spring to promote additional growth and to keep the plant from developing woody stems. Previously, she owned her own business, selling handmade items online, wholesale and at crafts fairs. Timing the major trimming of a potted lavender for when florets are beginning to open allows you to combine harvesting of the lavender flowers with pruning. Trim out the flower spikes after half the florets on each spike open if you want to harvest the flowers. Inspect the lavender plant regularly throughout the growing season for any physical damage to the stems or an infestation by spittlebugs, one of the few potential pests of lavender, and make a cut just above a leaf or stem junction to remove the damaged or spittle-covered area. How to Stop Lavender from Getting Straggly, How to Cut the Lavender Plant for Propagation, University of California Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources: Lavenders for California Gardens, Colorado State University Cooperative Extension: Growing Lavender in Containers, Utah State University Cooperative Extension: English Lavender in the Garden, How to Cut Back Lavender Flowers That Have Bloomed. Otherwise, wait to do a hard prune in late winter or very early spring. Your plant should be quite a bit larger this year, with more blooms. The fragrant ferny pinnately compound leaves are highly ornamental and turn coppery-bronze in fall. Indiana - Zone 5b) on Oct 14, 2014 5:53 PM. 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