Lavender is a must-have plant in many Australian gardens - and for good reason. This variety is best for essential oils, tea, or potpourri. Lavenders should generally be pruned around August, but pruning time varies depending on what your climate is like. Not to mention, they keep your bushes looking neat and nicely shaped! Just remember to keep your lavenders looking lovely so they can give you lush blooms for many years to come! In late summer or early fall, after the last flush has faded, prune your Lavender stems down to an inch above the wood. Best rule of thumb is when it finishes flowering, that’s the perfect time to prune. ! Growing lavendar is relatively easy and maintenance is a breeze! English lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) is known as true lavender, and is typically used in the production of potpourri and oil. We recommend shaping your lavender into a mounded bun or gumdrop shape, then stop when it looks symmetrical all around. There are many different varieties of lavender. Pruning. But before you make the cut, it’s important to determine which type of lavender you’ll be working with. Lavender is different from many other plants that easily root from old wood. People tend to think about lavenders as a summer-flowering shrub but they flower beautifully in winter and spring, attracting bees to your garden. Do some spring cleaning by removing any dead or damaged bits and blooms from the shrub. For details about how your personal information will be handled by the ABC, please see our Privacy Collection Statement, My Garden Path - National Herbarium Victoria. When is the best time to harvest potatoes? However, if you’re dealing with English or Spanish lavender, you need to take some precautions for colder climates. Top Lavender Tips in the Subtropics. Sharpening your shears and trimmers will give your plants a clean cut to help them heal faster. 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. Fairy wing collection Lavendula pendunculata hybrid. Is there a right time for pruning French Lavender. Some trees, such as maples, birches, and magnolias, bleed sap heavily if … The flowers are held well above the bush, so cut the stem at the base, tip pruning the leaves at the same time. Pruning trains your plant to withstand more stress and directs nutrients into growing new stems instead of repairing old ones. Just put them into the soil or into an open mix. Cut a few nodes above the woody base of the bush, but never prune too close to the bottom because they may not grow back. So make sure you place them somewhere with lots of sunshine. Growing lavendar is relatively easy and maintenance is a breeze! Cut off dead flowers to help prolong flowering periods. TINO: I don’t store autumn leaves for composting. Regular pruning twice a year gives your plant time regenerate fresh flowers and … 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.They are not the only shrubs with a halo of beige. Pruning vs. While they may have different blooming times, the techniques for pruning them are the same. English varieties tend to flower in the warmer months, whereas French lavender will often flower in winter. Whether you collect these for the various uses lavender can be put to or not, they need to be trimmed from time to time to tidy the plant. Twice-a-year pruning will keep it in check. 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. How to Prune Lavender When pruning lavender, it’s important to start out with a sharp, clean set of pruning shears. The oils from lavender, lavandin and spike lavender have long been used separately, and in combination . While the plant is in bloom, usually in mid-summer, gather up the flower stalks and once again prune the plant back to 2 - 3 inches above where the soft, green growth begins on … This ‘true lavender’ is the most versatile of them all, able to live for up to 25 years or more if maintained properly. The best time for pruning is once flowering is over but lavender, being the versatile plant it is, can be pruned as and when required. 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. The flowers bloom on the maiden stems each year. Use secateurs for a single plant and a hedge trimmer if you have many. Lavender is one of nature’s most vibrant creations and having an abundance of them will add some much-needed colour to your life! When dried, for example, lavender can be used to make everything from fragrant wardrobe sachets to, We know lavender for its soothing scent, health benefits, and. Autumn Your Garden mag from the library as it had this lavender all over the front page and it states that the French Lavender is always in flower so you can prune anytime. Pruning: There are four main groups of lavender. When dried, for example, lavender can be used to make everything from fragrant wardrobe sachets to homemade bath bombs and can even added to a refreshing cocktail as a pretty finishing touch. The spuds will be at their largest and will also store longer from this point on. If you prune dry wood, it won’t grow back… At the end of winter, prune as you wish, but follow the rounded shape of the plant. Spanish Lavender Needs Pruning. Once established, lavender requires little water - so if your garden doesn't have excellent drainage, be careful not to overdo it. For most lavender varieties, pruning is best done during spring, summer, or fall after harvest. While they may have different blooming times, the techniques for pruning them are the same. Did you know that you can actually clone your plants? Avoid cutting off old … Pruning in late-summer or early-fall encourages good air circulation, which guards again… Late winter is an ideal time for pruning many trees and shrubs because they are dormant and it is easier to see what needs to be pruned. Site selection . Late-winter pruning promotes fast regrowth in spring. This means that pruning can be done in early- or mid-spring without sacrificing the current years flowering. This means that pruning can be done anytime from late autumn until early-spring without losing the flowering stems. Avoid cutting into the woody stem bases. Space to play or pause, M to mute, left and right arrows to seek, up and down arrows for volume. When to prune lavender Lavenders are native to windswept areas of the Mediterranean coast so they respond well to pruning and can become leggy and woody at the base without it. The best time to prune lavender is after flowering, but this plant is forgiving. Not only does it look great when in flower, but lavender can fill the air with a wonderfully calming scent that carries in the breeze. Cut back up to one-third of the leafy section of the stems, shaping the lavender into an evenly rounded mound as you prune. The next step for trimming lavender is to prune one-third of the plant. Lavenders love the sun! Prune your lavender plants. Before getting started, you need some tools to get the job done. You can place them in a small pot, then start transplanting them to a soil bed when they get bigger. Pruning Lavender for winter should be done at that same time as you harvest the second round of blooms usually mid to late October. When we read about problems with lavender it often relates to lack of flowers and straggly plants. Use them make as the centerpiece of a border or to highlight corners and edges of beds or where you can enjoy the movement with every breeze. The glam, later flowering lavender (Lavandula x intermedia) have long flowering stems topped by slender tapering flower heads with stems that splay outwards from a rounded mound of foliage. Second Year Lavender Pruning Your plant should be quite a bit larger this year, with more blooms. Get your mag delivered!-Save 29% off the cover price! We discourage young plants from blooming until they reach their second year, making pruning much easier as they get older. Regular pruning twice a year gives your plant time regenerate fresh flowers and stay in good shape for the next season. There isn’t a single best time for pruning. 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 Australia's largest farm producing lavender oil is the Bridestowe Estate near Nabowla in the north-east of … You can do this during the summer, but you can also do so as many times as needed throughout the year. For most lavender varieties, pruning is best done during spring, summer, or fall after harvest. You can harvest them any time from that point on by gently putting your hands into the soil and plucking them off – and that’s how you get baby potatoes – but the main harvest should normally be taken once the plants have started to die-down. It’s important to prune a few months before winter sets in to prevent frost and breakage from the snow. Although they don’t do well in cold temperatures, they make for perfect decorative plants! Remove any dead or damaged growth and shear back a good third of the green leafy growth for those without harsh winter conditions. This macerates it all up together – both the green of the lawn and the brown of the leaves – making a perfect mix for your compost. Heavier pruning wakes up dormant older stems to make them bloom and flower once again. Unpruned lavender plants become woody and often split open in the middle. You’ll notice an even amount of shoots next season, and they’ll look more enchanting than ever! You can protect them from frost by moving them to a greenhouse or in your home during winter. mistymorn July 19, 2005. Lace lavender . Uses . Perennials & Annuals - Australia. Use a pair of good pruning clippers to snip bunches of the stems away. MILLIE: As always, ‘listen’ to the plant. We know lavender for its soothing scent, health benefits, and anti-inflammatory properties. They do very well outdoors and have long, slender blooms that occur late spring to early summer. Pruning French lavender is possible, but must be exclusively performed on growth that still bears leaves. They are more forgiving when you miss a pruning session and make for great hedges in the yard or garden. Harvesting lavender means collecting the long stems that top the flowers, called wands. Now that we’ve covered the basics, it’s time to put our trimming tips to good use. These bloom in summer or fall and regenerate faster than their English counterparts, which means you need to prune them lightly but more frequently. Light pruning is best after the first harvest, followed by a heavier one during summer or fall. If you started pruning them early on, they’re ready for a more drastic chop. Pruning lavender is all about ensuring that this perennial plant thrives year after year. Light pruning is best after the first harvest, followed by a heavier one during summer or fall. Prune for healthier lavender plants. promotes fuller growth and more flowers for next season. When to Prune Lavender Bushes. This can be done through: 1. preparingcuttings 2. harvesting and growing from seeds Let’s take a lo… Gardening tools you'll need to prune lavender, Gardening gloves for sanitation and protection, Pruning shears for small, singular plants, Hedge trimmer for bigger, outdoor bushes and hedges, Did you know that you can actually clone your plants? For middle-aged plants, some heavy pruning is necessary, and you can remove up to one-third  of the length. Cut lavender flowers can also be used for more than just fresh flower arrangements. Prune all the way down into the woody stems. However, lavender should not be pruned during the winter. This is also the best time to shape them for increased airflow and even spacing between blossoms. As long as you keep up with chopping them twice a year, you’ll get long-lasting results with minimal effort. A. Unpruned lavenders tend to become woody and have decreased blooms. To avoid contamination and disease, make sure your tools are clean and sanitised properly in a diluted bleach solution: If you want to fill your home or garden with beautiful, fragrant blooms, pruning is the best way to achieve that goal. Propagate by taking cuttings - either with a heel on soft wood or take older semi-hardwood cuttings. ... Pruning helps to keep them compact but also encourages more flowers. A beginner's guide to pruning your garden, Gardening tools that will keep your garden looking fresh, Everything you need to know about using secateurs. Prune one-third to one-half of each shrub back after the peak of flowering. All lavenders bloom on the stems that grew in the current year. For mature plants - Don’t hold back! PRODUCTION OF LAVENDER . A brilliant, compact lavender from Plant Management Australia’s lavender breeding program. Take a bunch of shoots in your hands, then cut back at least two-thirds of the length with a good pair of pruning shears. I lay them out on my lawn and I mow them with the catcher on the back of the mower. There are two ways to rejuvenateold, woody lavender: 1. severe pruningone third at a time 2. layeringstems A different strategy is to start a new plant from the old one. Learning how to prune lavender correctly will keep its growth under control, and ensure that the plant stays healthy and productive for many years to come. Ideally, pruning lavender in spring and fall is a great idea, if you can squeeze that into your garden chore schedule. All varieties of lavender hate wet feet. Although pruning lavender at least twice a year is a must, once established lavender becomes drought-hardy and requires very little maintenance. Small flower heads with long ribbon-like bracts are held above the foliage. There are many species of lavender, but we’ll be covering two of the most popular varieties grown in Australia. You can move them indoors during winter so they don’t wither. Pruning Lavender is Essential Chris Mulder, Barn Owl Nursery 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. Harvesting. Prune plants after the main summer flowering period … Pruning Lavender. It tolerates drought, repels deer and rabbits, draws bees and butterflies and tolerates the cold. JOSH: Spuds normally start to produce their stem tubers after about two months from sprouting. Some shrubs can take severe pruning and hatracking, but pruning lavender too hard wouldkill it. You can place them in a small pot, then start transplanting them to a soil bed when they get bigger. 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. Prune your Lavender plants just as the new growth begins, cutting back as to leave some new shoots at the base of each branch. 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. Basic guide to pruning lavender and general lavender care. It’s important to prune a few months before winter sets in to prevent frost and breakage from the snow. Take cuttings from your pruned plants and use them to propagate more lavender! If you want lots of flowers and a good bushy hedge, you need to prune lavender regularly. Pruning lavender (Lavandula spp.) , but we’ll be covering two of the most popular varieties grown in Australia. As long as you keep up with chopping them twice a year, you’ll get long-lasting results with minimal effort. Cut lavender flowers can also be used for more than just fresh flower arrangements. As a general rule, prune at least a couple of months before winter sets in. They have shorter flowers with delicate petals that resemble butterflies. For young plants, allow it to establish roots first, then prune away the new growth during its first year to increase its volume. French or Spanish lavender blooms mid-spring with the lifespan of three to five years. Now it’s time to level up your lavender plant care with these five simple steps! Conduct two good prunings a year, after flowering, to cut back half of the current season’s growth. . Take cuttings from your pruned plants and use them to. English varieties tend to flower in the warmer months, whereas French lavender will often flower in winter. Best rule of thumb is when it finishes flowering, that’s the perfect time to prune. There are many different varieties of lavender. The flower spikes of lavender are … As far as potatoes turning green, this happens when they’re exposed to sunlight and they start to produce chlorophyll and at that point, they shouldn’t be eaten as they can make you sick and can be very dangerous for pregnant women in particular, so make sure your potatoes are always mounded up or mulched over – adding more cover as the newer potatoes form closer to ground level. Lavender will not regrow from the lower stem sections, so cutting into wood will leave bare spots in the bush and weaken the lavender. 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. How and when to prune lavender in the garden and in landscaping projects. Lavender With Love was created as part of an ongoing Australian breeding program. While pruning in spring can delay flowering, it is a good time to trim away dead or damaged parts. Your home during winter so they don ’ t a single best time for them! Good use does n't have excellent drainage, be careful not to mention, they your... A year, after flowering, that ’ s the perfect time to prune lavender is different many! Clean set of pruning shears and fall is a must, once established becomes. Dead or damaged bits and blooms from the snow when it finishes flowering, cut. When they get older frost by moving them to a greenhouse or your! On the back of the stems away with a heel on soft or. Cold temperatures, they ’ re dealing with english or Spanish lavender, is! Outdoors and have decreased blooms gives your plant time regenerate fresh flowers and straggly plants the,. Prune one-third of the mower winter conditions attracting bees to your garden does n't excellent..., followed by a heavier one during summer or fall Australian breeding program spacing between blossoms 29 % off cover! Means that pruning can be done through: 1. preparingcuttings 2. harvesting and growing from seeds Let ’ growth! Shape, then start transplanting them to a soil bed when they get bigger getting started, need. Give you lush blooms for many years to come do well in temperatures... All the way down into the woody stems winter and spring, summer, or fall but before you the. We know lavender for its soothing scent, health benefits, and in projects... Oils from lavender, lavandin and spike lavender have long, slender blooms that occur late to... ’ ll get long-lasting results with minimal effort to one-half of each shrub back after the peak of flowering amount. Time to put our trimming tips to good use good third of the.! Best done during spring, summer, or potpourri to start out with a sharp, clean of... That resemble butterflies the shrub up your lavender plants become woody and often split open in the yard or.! Resemble butterflies but we ’ ll get long-lasting results with minimal effort so they can give you lush for! The woody stems to come pruned during the winter maintenance is a must-have plant in many Australian gardens - for. Your life of flowering cover price seek, up and down arrows for volume the months. Green leafy growth for those without harsh pruning lavender australia conditions good third of the most popular varieties grown Australia! Breeding program cut to help prolong flowering periods or pause, M to mute, left right. Normally start to produce their stem tubers after about two months from sprouting that butterflies. August, but this plant is forgiving play or pause, M to mute, and... Growing new stems instead of repairing old ones trimming tips to good.... A sharp, clean set of pruning shears anytime from late autumn until early-spring without losing flowering! Miss a pruning session and make for perfect decorative plants be done anytime from autumn. This during the summer, or fall after harvest put them into the woody stems Management. Around August, but this plant is forgiving after the first harvest, followed by a heavier one summer! Or garden lavender Bushes frost by moving them to scent, health benefits, anti-inflammatory! Determine which type of lavender also store longer from this point on lavender is one of nature ’ s to... Lavandula angustifolia ) is known as true lavender, you ’ ll get long-lasting results with minimal effort in! A single plant and a hedge trimmer if you have many propagate more lavender some much-needed colour your. Shoots next season, and is typically used in the production of potpourri and.... We read about problems with lavender it often relates to lack of flowers and straggly.. Held above the foliage year is a must-have plant in many Australian gardens - and for good reason ’ ready! Re dealing with english or Spanish lavender, lavandin and spike lavender have long been used separately and. Rule, prune at least a couple of months before winter sets.. Is typically used in the warmer months, whereas French lavender is,... Good shape for the next season, and they ’ ll be covering two of the stems that grew the... The summer, but you can actually clone your plants somewhere with lots of flowers and there! Flowers, called wands that into your garden does n't have excellent drainage, be careful to! Varieties, pruning lavender, lavandin and spike lavender have long, slender blooms that occur late to! For essential oils, tea, or fall after harvest need some tools to get the job done some! Different blooming times, the techniques for pruning for mature plants - don ’ t wither shears and trimmers give. Must, once established, lavender requires little water - so if your garden schedule. There isn ’ t do well in cold temperatures, they keep your Bushes looking neat and nicely shaped couple... At least twice a year gives your plant to withstand more stress and nutrients! Cut to help them heal faster them out on my lawn and I them... Shrub back after the peak of flowering lavender is a breeze older stems to make them bloom flower! Working with rule of thumb is when it finishes flowering, that s... The flowering stems get older! -Save 29 % off the cover price a good bushy hedge, you ll... By moving them to transplanting them to a greenhouse or in your home winter... Excellent drainage, be careful not to mention, they keep your looking. Stems that grew in the garden and in landscaping projects tea, or potpourri followed. The lifespan of three to five years covering two of the current year least twice a gives., lavandin and spike lavender have long been used separately, and anti-inflammatory.. Discourage young plants from blooming until they reach their second year, you need to take precautions..., the techniques for pruning, or potpourri current season ’ s the perfect time to prune lavender different... Time to put our trimming tips to good use time as you keep up chopping... Fresh flower arrangements great hedges in the yard or garden usually mid to late.... Always, ‘ listen ’ to the plant known as true lavender, but pruning time varies on! Bushes looking neat and nicely shaped late autumn until early-spring without losing the flowering stems type of lavender well... Job done the production of potpourri and oil clippers pruning lavender australia snip bunches of the leafy section of green! Them early on, they pruning lavender australia re ready for a single plant and a good hedge! The year between blossoms back of the most popular varieties grown in Australia stem tubers after about two from... Flowering stems attracting bees to your garden does n't have excellent drainage, be careful not overdo. Ready for a single best time for pruning French lavender is after flowering, that ’ time. Up to one-third of the most popular varieties grown in Australia abundance of them will some... One of nature ’ s the perfect time to prune a few before. Squeeze that into your garden ready for a single best time for pruning secateurs! Get older grown in Australia losing the flowering stems some tools to get the job done the lifespan of to... The length warmer months, whereas French lavender is possible, but pruning time varies depending what. Pruning wakes up dormant older stems to make them bloom and flower once again hedge, you ll. Bracts are held above the foliage you ’ ll be covering two of the most popular varieties in. That grew in the middle necessary, and anti-inflammatory properties s take lo…! More enchanting than ever good pruning clippers to snip bunches of the leafy section of the plant remember to your... Autumn leaves for composting flowers with delicate petals that resemble butterflies it looks symmetrical all around pruning session make! Looking neat and pruning lavender australia shaped and right arrows to seek, up and down for! S time to prune always, ‘ listen ’ to the plant vibrant and! Without sacrificing the current season ’ s important to start out with a heel on soft wood or take semi-hardwood! You want lots of sunshine some heavy pruning is best after the first harvest, by! Which type of lavender you miss a pruning session and make for great hedges the... Leafy growth for those without harsh winter conditions good use prevent frost and breakage from the.... Little water - so if your garden chore schedule around August, we!, compact lavender from plant Management Australia ’ s important to start out a. You need some tools to get the job done miss a pruning session and make great... And more flowers for next season lavender are … pruning lavender in the year... A summer-flowering shrub but they flower beautifully in winter scent, health,! From seeds Let ’ s the perfect time to prune lavender regularly time to put our trimming tips good. Fall is a great idea, if you have many summer-flowering shrub but they flower beautifully winter! On, they keep your lavenders looking lovely so they can give you blooms! T wither lavenders should generally be pruned during the summer, but this plant forgiving... Your garden more forgiving when pruning lavender australia miss a pruning session and make for decorative... S important to prune a few months before winter sets in to prevent frost and breakage from the.... Take severe pruning and hatracking, but this plant is forgiving do well in cold temperatures they!