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Lavender Care Plant lavender in full sun and well-drained soil (add organic matter to improve heavy soils). Starting with the proper conditions is essential for successfully growing lavender. Water plants deeply but infrequently, when the soil is almost dry. Prune every year immediately after bloom.
Should you cut back lavender?
Lavender only requires a light trim in its first year, but to avoid the plants from becoming leggy in future, it’s important to get them off to a good start. Do not cut the plant back ‘hard’ by going near the woody base of the stem – it is essential to leave plenty of green on the stems when the plants are young.
How do you prune lavender plants outside?
When and how to prune: Prune right after the first flowering and again in late August after the last flush has faded. Cut off about 2/3 of the plant’s height or to just above the bottom two sets of leaves on each stem. Take care not to cut into the woody part of the plant which can cause damage.
Can lavender stay outside in the winter?
Lavender grows best outdoors, but you can keep these aromatic gems alive through winter inside, too. Plus, lavender is not only pretty—its scent also brings a sense of calm to every room.
How do you look after lavender plants?
How to care for lavender. Lavender is very drought tolerant, but like all other drought-tolerant plants needs watering until established. Avoid feeding with high-nitrogen feeds, which encourages soft growth, so use a high potash plant food instead, which encourages flowering and strong, hardy growth.
What happens if you don’t prune lavender?
An annual pruning is an important step for long-lasting lavender (Lavandula spp. and hybrids) plants. Without it they grow a large, lanky, woody base that can split open — it looks bad and shortens the plant’s lifespan.
Should lavender be cut back in the spring?
A. Unpruned lavenders tend to become woody and have decreased blooms. 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. Pruning now can cause dieback that may kill the plant.
Do lavender plants spread?
Lavender is a small shrub that usually grows 20 to 24 inches tall and wide. The height includes the flower stalks, so when not in bloom, the foliage may be only a foot tall. The plant does not spread as thyme, oregano, and other herbs tend to.
What to do with lavender after flowering?
In late summer after flowering, snip off the flowering stems back down to the leaves (unless you live somewhere very cold, where the spent stems can act as a protective insulating layer, or if you prefer keeping them for architectural interest), and then in autumn do the real chop down to two or three buds of new.
Can I prune lavender in March?
The first trim needs be done by early March. This is the trim that tidies up your plants for summer and encourages lots of flowers. Lavender that was planted last year must not be spared! If the weather turns frosty early, it won’t hurt to cover up your plants for the first few frosts to give them a bit more time.
Does lavender come back each year?
Lavender is a Low-Maintenance Perennial And this beauty will come back to your garden every year, for about 3-5 years, so it’s a great investment. What is this? Before you make any plant purchases, however, I want to remind you to always choose plants that thrive in your plant hardiness zone.
Should you cover lavender in winter?
If you live where subfreezing winter temperatures are common, it’s helpful to cover your lavender plants with evergreen boughs once you’ve had your first frost and the ground is cold. The covering also provides protection from cold winter winds that can dry out the plants and cause die-back of stems.
How often should lavender be watered?
How to Care for Lavender Water once or twice a week after planting until plants are established. Water mature plants every two to three weeks until buds form, then once or twice weekly until harvest. In colder growing areas, plants may need extra winter protection.
Does lavender need full sun?
Light: Lavender needs full sun and well-drained soil to grow best. In hot summer climates, afternoon shade may help them thrive. Soil: Lavender grows best in low to moderately-fertile soils, so don’t amend the soil with organic matter before planting.
Should you prune lavender in the first year?
When to Prune Lavender If you cut back lavender in its first year, it will put energy towards growing leaves rather than roots and this will make it a weaker plant in the long term. The best time for when to prune lavender is in the spring just as the new growth is starting to come in.
What month do you prune lavender?
Left to their own devices, lavender can become woody and ungainly, so to keep plants compact and attractive, it’s best to trim them annually in late summer, just after flowering has finished. Remove any spent flower stalks and about 2.5cm (1in) of leaf growth.
What month does lavender bloom?
Flowering typically occurs as early as May (in areas with mild summers and winters) with another flush of blooms in June followed by another flush of color in late summer or fall.
