Do I prune lavender plants?

Question

I live in Michigan and planted a lavender in my yard two years ago. It has grown a lot but looks a little thin I guess is the word to use. Do you know if you are supposed to trim back or prune back all of the woody stems in the fall or spring????

Answer 1

I hope you know which type of lavender you have -- the pruning requirements seem to vary by type. From Gardening Australia:

"To be a vigorous healthy plant, lavender needs to be pruned. This should begin when the plant is young and continue each year. English Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) needs pruning after flowering in summer. Italian Lavender (Lavandula stoechas), with the ribbon-like flowers, can be cut back by one-third or even one-half in autumn. French Lavender (Lavandula dentata) needs to be controlled, especially if it's a hedge. Using secateurs or shears, trim it back in summer, leaving no flower stalks. To prune in a moderate fashion, just remove the immature growth. "

And, yes, I know you are probably not in Australia -- but good advice comes from all over and lavender is lavender! This seemed to be the place with the most information in the most concise presentation, that's all. If you put "lavender pruning" into any search engine, you will find other sites out there with lots of information for you.

Good luck with your lovely lavender!!

Answer 2

Lavenders should be pruned every year to keep them compact. On established plants use secateurs to remove flower stalks and about 2.5cm (1in) of the current year’s growth, making sure that some green growth remains. At Wisley, pruning is undertaken in late summer after flowering, although spring pruning is recommended by some. L. x intermedia and the less hardy L. stoechas can be pruned after the first flush of flowers. Lavender does not break readily from old wood and neglected specimens are best replaced.

Answer 3

Yes, prune lavender plants in the early spring or late fall after flowering to maintain their shape and keep the plant from becoming woody and sprawling. Prune plants by cutting back about one-third of the plant.

Answer 4

Prune it lightly. Check the site of Allen Smith. URL http://www.pallensmith.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=52

Answer 5

If you want, yes! I do it in the early spring when its still cold. I cut back to about 3 inches from the ground. This gets rid of all the old twiggy stuff and brings in the new.

Answer 6

You should prune back hard in the fall, right back to the older growth.

Answer 7

trim back the woody stems in the fall

Answer 8

nooooooooooooo