Lavender is a woody plant that needs pruning to grow back better. In cooler climates, the former group of lavenders are much easier to grow. Dwarf varieties range from 30–50cm tall and about 20–40cm wide. Lavandula stoechas - also called Spanish Lavender or Butterfly Lavender: Since these Lavenders flower almost continuously from spring to fall, it is not obvious to figure out the best time to prune them. Spanish Lavender (Kew Red) This one got its famous name from the crimson-violet flower heads that have pale pink petals on top. The best time to prune back lavender is after it has bloomed, most often in spring or early fall. 11 years ago . Jun 22, 2020 12:03am. Identification: The whorls of the flower spikes are tightly compacted together. It thrives in heat and is drought-tolerant. How to use lavender. Spanish lavender plants can give you the same aroma and delicate flowers as the English variety, but they are better able to tolerate hot climates. Yet I followed all the advice I was given. Lavender is a shrub that will do best if pruned every year. I have begun the process of removing the dead flowering stems. How to prune lavender. Unpruned lavender plants become woody and often split open in the middle. The side shoots are pruned off as the plant grows up, creating a bare main stem. See the flower closeup at the bottom. How to Harvest Spanish Lavender. Deadhead after the flowers open and begin to wilt if you want lavender blooms in the garden. For harvesting and drying, cut off the flowers when only two or three buds on the flower spikes have opened. I couldn’t work out why next door’s lavender is still healthy and bushy after fourteen years. Lavender can grow out of control unless it is forced into submission! If you want to prune lavender, this is a job to get on with in August, or early September, once … 10 Minute GardenerMark Abbott-Compton Under excellent conditions Spanish Lavender is a tall growing lovely plant. Comments (4) Bumblebeez SC Zone 7. 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. Follow. Lavender has a reputation for being short-lived as it generally needs to be replaced every six to eight years – however, some have lived to 20 years or so. Spanish lavender, or Lavendula stoechas, is just one of about 40 varieties of this fragrant herb. There are about 32 species of lavender. Varieties of Spanish/French Lavender—Lavandula stoechas cvs. Spanish lavender (Lavandula stoechas) can be grown in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 8 through 10. Prune lavender that is 2 years or older in the spring. Pruning lavender helps to trigger bushy growth, and gives you tons of flowers too. When To Prune Lavender Pruning in progress. This page is especially for those wishing to grow lavender in Qld. Spanish lavender is distinguished by its winged blooms which appear from late winter through summer. English lavender (and its hybrids, Lavender Lavandula x intermedia, Lavandula angustifolia, Lavender lavandula) & Tender French & Spanish lavenders (Lavandula stoechas, Lavandula latifolia etc..) English Lavenders. Cutting back lavender plants is important for the health of the plant. The variety of lavender will determine how much you can prune off the lavender bush without damaging it. The general rule is to prune them immediately after the first flowering by cutting below the flower wands, well into the foliage beneath, leaving 1 to 2 in. Prune it whenever you want. Hello, I am hoping someone can weigh in (in great detail) on how and when to prune Spanish Lavender here in GA? promotes fuller growth and more flowers for next season. If lavender isn’t pruned regularly, it will become woody and produce fewer fragrant leaves and flowers. Experience shows that pruning is best done after flower harvest in Ontario. See the Spanish Lavender flower picture at the top of this page (in the middle) to see what its blooms look like. Pruning trains the plant to handle a little more stress while directing the nutrients to new stems instead of trying to repair old ones. It flowers for very long, exactly since late spring until fall. Start pruning lavender when it’s small to encourage your new plant to focus on making more roots and branching stems, which results in a nice mounded habit later. When pruning your Lavender, never cut into the woody part of your Lavender. Pruning lavender is much more necessary for older plants, and the variety you own will have an effect on its lifespan. Ideally, pruning lavender in spring and fall is a great idea, if you can squeeze that into your garden chore schedule. 🌺 LAVENDER "TREE" - Check put the 4 stages of pruning and life of these custom Spanish lavender plants. The flower stalk can be harvested and used either dry or fresh. When to Prune Lavender kathgrace. Cut back by 1/3 to 1/2 stem length, or to a few nodes above old wood if present or the base. How to Prune Lavender in Summer. The scent is slightly sharp, and the oil is used in air fresheners and insecticides. Species include English, Italian (also known as Spanish), French lavender, Lavender pedunculata and fern leaf forms. This will keep your plant neat and tidy! Below are tips on where to plant a lavender shrub, and how best to grow, care and prune lavender at the end of the season. Pruning lavender – Is it English, French or Spanish Lavender? 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. English lavender is easily distinguished from its European cousins, as it has a straight-up uniform flower. This evergreen shrub is native from the Mediterranean region, northern Africa and western Asia. In one instance, I was asked by a fellow gardener if “renewal pruning” was good for lavenders. Some of my lavender bushes have barely lasted four. Email Save Comment 4. For example, L. stoechus cultivars need pruning in summer, right after the first flowers; this will protect the plant from winter snowfall. 1: Full sun 2: Good drainage 3: Sweet soil pH 7-7.5 4: Prune little but often is best in place of one big prune 5: Choose appropriate varieties and species 6: Use a fertiliser high in potassium and phosphorus for good flowering Top Lavender Tips in the Subtropics. lavender. Pruning once a year is great. Lavender Lavandula species, hybrids and cultivars Family: Lamiaceae . Pruning lavender is all about ensuring that this perennial plant thrives year after year. Spanish Lavender blooms profusely in the spring and when it finishes it needs a good pruning. In mild climates, you can even see flowers all year round. Pruning strategy: Cut heavily in autumn to reduce the size just before winter. Since completing my degree, I’ve been asked time and again how to prune lavender and other subshrubs. However, this can be a fun and easy job and should be carried out twice a year — once lightly after flowering and again later to neaten summer's growth. 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. Pruning your Lavender will prevent your shrub from turning to wood. Spanish lavender Lavandula stoechas. If you’re wondering how to prune lavender and when to prune lavender at the correct time, have no fear. Spanish Lavender is a heavy bloomer during the spring and needs to be cut back after flowering to maintain it's shape. The side shoots are pruned off as the plant grows up, creating a bare main stem. This is important because the parts of the plant that turn to wood will not produce new lavender stalks. Pruning Spanish Lavender. When to Prune Lavender Bushes. ‘Avonview’, above, is one of the best cultivars, along with the dashing ‘Italian Prince’. Pruning lavender (Lavandula spp.) The dotted line in the illustration above shows you how to cut foliage and any flowers back by one-third to one half before planting. Lavender is best grown in neatly clipped hedges, in pots, in a herb circle, knot garden or courtyard.Coastal gardens, rocky slopes and planter boxes are all good environments for lavender. 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. Spanish Lavender . ; ) Many thanks in advance. There are three main types of lavender: English lavender, French lavender and Spanish lavender. Other species of lavender such as L. stoechas (Spanish lavender), L. dentata or L. latifolia (Spike lavender) ... Pruning lavender is very important for ensuring a healthy plant that does not collapse under the weight of the flowers during bloom. If you have pictures, even better !!!! http://learn-how-to-garden.comThe autumn is a perfect time for pruning your Lavender to keep it healthly and productive. All of this information is listed below. Generally, the Lavenders are not well suited to the humid tropical and subtropical regions of Queensland, yet many gardeners in the region like to try growing these classic cottage garden plants. Pruning twice a year is better. Prune off the flowers a second time in late summer if the plant flowers again. ‘Never cut lavender back to the wood’ is in every list of gardening dos and don’ts. The amount of pruning also varies depending on variety, as some lavenders need lighter pruning than others. Allardi lavender, which is the tallest, grows to 1.8m tall and about 1m wide. Both are bred from Italian/Spanish lavender in Australia and relish our humidity. This post will tell you how to prune English lavender beautifully. When pruning it's important to retain the green foliage and don't cut back into the old wood. Pruning lavender is important in keeping a lavender plant producing the type of fragrant foliage that most gardeners seek. Read this article to find out when to prune lavender plants, and learn exactly how to prune lavender step-by-step to avoid over pruning. Prune only lightly after flowering. How to trim your lavender shrubs to avoid overgrowth. Spanish Lavender Information. Lavender pruning process can provide better results because this plant will grow more quality leaves and flowers. Gardeners and landscapers grow highly versatile lavender as an ornamental plant, but it’s also grown as a culinary plant and for the commercial extract of essential oils. 11 years ago. 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