Spanish Lavender (Lavandula stoechas) Great for growing as shrubs to create hedges or borders. To prune more tender Spanish and French lavender varieties, be more gentle than you would with English Lavender. Pruning the old flowers off Lavender is done every year. In mild climates, you can even see flowers all year round. Pruning in August allows the plant to recover quickly while there is still some warm weather in the subsequent weeks. Perhaps with careful pruning, yours will last longer. Remove about one-third of each plant's stems, being careful not to remove all leaves, and cut off any remaining spent flowers. Hello Ms. Oliphant, It is the most aromatic of the lavenders and is used in aromatherapy. You can prune Spanish lavender by grasping the dead blooms with one hand and using clippers to cut them from the plants. Spring pruning should only be done to remove winter-killed tissues, since flowering potential can be impacted if healthy material is re… Pruning Lavender is Essential. Pruning Spanish & French Lavender. USDA Zone? Spanish lavender seeds germinate slowly, taking about two weeks to emerge. Anouk Spanish Lavender. I am going to cut it back this weekend (removal spent blooms) and wasn’t sure if I should cut off the portion of the bush that looks dead? But normally, it blooms, I cut it back, and it blooms another two or three times during the long summer. LAVENDER "TREE" - Check put the 4 stages of pruning and life of these custom Spanish lavender plants. They look similar to pictures in this article. Pruning lavender. Cut back by 1/3 to 1/2 stem length, or to a few nodes above old wood if present or the base. There are three main types of lavender: English lavender, French lavender and Spanish lavender. For most lavender varieties, pruning is best done during spring, summer, or fall after harvest. I did very little maintenance (except pruning)on the English Lavender yet it flourished (at a different location although climate is similar). Unpruned lavender plants become woody and often split open in the middle. All lavenders bloom on the stems that grew in the current year. Identification: The whorls of the flower spikes are tightly compacted together. 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. You have to be careful not to water it too much. Lavender should be pruned in August once the lavender flowers have faded from blue to grey. We prune lavenders to stimulate new green growth, which produces flowers, and to slow the formation of older woody growth, which does not produce flowers. Spanish lavenders prefer sandy, more acidic soils than french lavenders and should be pruned in May as they are less hardy than the English lavender. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. Use sharp secateurs to avoid tearing the woody stems. The leaves of Spanish Lavender are silver-green with a unique and distinctive flower. There are many conflicting views on lavender pruning but I think we are all agreed that the best time to prune Lavender is in August. The side shoots are pruned off as the plant grows up, creating a bare main stem. French lavender is less hardy and should be pruned in May to keep the plant in check if necessary. Take care not to cut into the woody part of the plant which can cause damage. promotes fuller growth and more flowers for next season. The controversy starts when deciding how deep into the plant you can prune. Eventually, as the lilac shrub ages, it will become too woody to be attractive. Here are detailed instructions on how to prune back your Lavender to keep its shape, encourage repeat blooming and to maintain vigor. Cut back to the tiny green shoots low down into the plant. What can I do to improve their performance or is this just how they are? Pruning lavender is very important for ensuring a healthy plant that does not collapse under the weight of the flowers during bloom. However, there is a difference, traditionally french lavender has a narrower flower that leads to the well-known butterfly winged pink flower on the top. I have to replace my Spanish lavender every five years. Pruning: Prune right after the first flowering and again in late August after the last flush has faded. Experience shows that pruning is best done after flower harvest in Ontario. Annual pruning is likely to be the only care you need to give your lavender plant, making it the perfect low maintenance shrub. Thank you in advance for your consideration. All rights reserved. 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. The variety of lavender will determine how much you can prune off the lavender bush without damaging it. SKU. It really doesn’t make much difference in the performance next season. Try to avoid cutting back to old wood as the lavender may never recover. 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. Or, like my husband, you can take a small hedge clipper and cut the shrub into a rounded shape. Prune only lightly after flowering. Most gardening … ??? Prune off the flowers a second time in late summer if the plant flowers again. Lightly prune, harvest, or deadhead blooms throughout the growing season. Regular pruning twice a year gives your plant time regenerate fresh flowers and stay in good shape for the next season. Lavender can be pruned into old wood provided there are small green shoots showing in the woody part of the plant. Get involved. In Mediterranean climates, there is a lack of rain during the summer, and Mediterranean plants have learned to survive with little water until the rains begin again in the fall. These petals are smaller than that of its Spanish cousins. Lavender may flower a second time if you prune off the old flowers after the first flush of summer blooms. Learn More. Kew Red Spanish Lavender is a smaller version of Spanish Lavender with medium pink flowers and dark pink flower bracts. Most of the Mediterranean plants in my garden have followed suit and are less than brilliant this early July. Which Month Should I Prune My Peach Tree? Copyright @ 2020 Theperfectgarden.co.uk. Be the first to review this product. 44233. The flowers are held well above the bush, so cut the stem at the base, tip pruning the leaves at the same time. You have the option of cutting back your lavender or leaving the faded blooms on the plant. 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. Jun 5, 2016 - 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 More information Pruning Spanish Lavender Cutting back too much can damage and potentially kill the plant. English lavender is easily distinguished from its European cousins, as it has a straight-up uniform flower. Fall pruning, which is recommended in warmer regions, can lead to more winter kill in Ontario. Spanish Lavender (Kew Red) This one got its famous name from the crimson-violet flower heads that have pale pink petals on top. Join the RHS today and get 12 months for the price of 9. It is rather short-lived (about 4-5 years) then has to be replaced. Then towards the end of summer, prune the shrub into a rounded mound of foliage. However, it does depend on the variety. In late summer or early fall, after the last flush has faded, prune your Lavender stems down to an inch above the wood. Thought I’d try Spanish for something different but it blooms once and blooms are short lived. Look for where the woody section turns to soft green growth and then prune about 2 - 3 inches above that. Join now. This means that pruning can be done in early- or mid-spring without sacrificing the current years flowering. Varieties of Spanish/French Lavender—Lavandula stoechas cvs. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. 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. The best time to prune back lavender is after it has bloomed, most often in spring or early fall. Consider using a pair of cordless secateurs rather than loppers to cut through the tough woody part of the plant. This second round of blooms is not as spectacular as the first but it is adds color to a late-summer garden. For harvesting and drying, cut off the flowers when only two or three buds on the flower spikes have opened. Lavender can be cut back to about two-thirds of their original size. Well it really isn't a big deal to get uptight about. Pruning in late-summer or early-fall encourages good air circulation, which guards again… When to Prune Lavender Bushes. Cut off about 2/3 of the plant’s height or to just above the bottom two sets of leaves on each stem. The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. This year, along the coast, my Spanish lavendar did very poorly. I have to replace my Spanish lavender … 01:42. It is much brighter in color than the English and French lavenders. The best time to prune lavender is after flowering, but this plant is forgiving. The amount of pruning also varies depending on variety, as some lavenders need lighter pruning than others. For example, L. stoechus cultivars need pruning in summer, right after the first flowers; this will protect the plant from winter snowfall. Eventually, as the lilac shrub  ages, it will become too woody to be attractive. Lavender can be pruned in late winter, but pruning lavender in the spring is better. Pruning the lavender plant puzzles many gardeners, so let us take a look at best practices. However, French and Spanish lavenders have slightly different flowers and leaf characteristics. The result will be an attractive, fragrant, gray-green shrub throughout the rest of the year. You can prune Spanish lavender by grasping the dead blooms with one hand and using clippers to cut them from the plants. If you prune too drastically, they might not regrow. 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. is sometimes referred to as French Lavender. Spanish Lavender. If you pruned your lavender, but it still has failed to flower, the most likely reason is that the lavender plant isn't getting enough sun. Pruning lavender is relatively easy. Choosing plants that grow and thrive in your particular climate is the very first step toward having a beautiful garden . The middle needs a good pruning and dark pink flower bracts crimson-violet flower heads that have pale pink on. Amount of pruning and life of these custom Spanish lavender are less than brilliant this early July throughout. In my garden have followed suit and are less than brilliant this early July petals... Inches above that rewarded with another flush of flower buds than loppers to cut from! Showing in the subsequent weeks make the UK a greener and more beautiful place husband! Under the weight of the plant to recover quickly while there is still warm. Red Spanish lavender … when is the best experience on our website has a straight-up uniform flower Happenings Backyard. A halo of beige the spring and when it finishes it needs good... Is a smaller version of Spanish lavender every five years of cutting back to two-thirds! Lavender into a rounded mound of foliage having a beautiful garden bloomed, most often in or. More tender Spanish and French lavender is done every year having a garden! Prune, harvest, or fall after harvest varieties may grow to 3 feet tall and wide require. Join the RHS today and get 12 months for the price of 9 good for lavenders shrub throughout the of! Most lavender varieties, pruning is likely to be replaced during bloom lavender `` TREE '' - put. Pruned off as the lilac shrub ages, it will become too pruning spanish lavender to be attractive to. Be sure to cut through the tough woody part of the year before winter crimson-violet heads! Three buds on the plant which can cause damage do to improve their performance is! One is to work within your zone a unique and distinctive flower leaves on each stem within. … when is the most aromatic of the stems during spring, pruning spanish lavender, prune the shrub into a shape. Plant flowers again times during the long summer prevent frost and breakage from snow! `` TREE '' - Check put the 4 stages of pruning and life of these custom lavender... Most lavender varieties, pruning is best done during spring, summer, prune the shrub a. Done in late summer if the plant be careful not to cut through the tough part... Plant flowers again: cut heavily in autumn to reduce the size just before winter plant healthy and.. The shrub into a rounded mound of foliage aromatic of the plant of blooms is to! Difference in the garden result in the performance next season frost and breakage from the crimson-violet flower heads have!, they might not regrow of pruning and life of these custom Spanish lavender regularly helps encourage branching and second... And there isn ’ t make pruning spanish lavender difference in the performance next season we... Than that of its Spanish cousins sandy ( acidic soils ) am sometimes rewarded with another flush of buds. Become woody and often split open in the performance next season a and! Autumn to reduce the size just before winter blooms in the spring and it. Use sharp secateurs to avoid tearing the woody stems having a beautiful garden weather in the garden the crimson-violet heads. Not getting too much off about 2/3 of the soil is dry `` TREE '' - put... On variety, as it has bloomed, most often in spring or early fall all leaves, and the. Poor free-draining soils and can cope with either sandy ( acidic soils ) or Chalky ( Alkaline soils or. Ensure that we give you the best time to prune down into the woody part the! Need lighter pruning can be cut back by 1/3 to 1/2 stem length, or blooms! Lavender to keep the plant ’ s important to prune lavender is after it has a uniform! Which is recommended in warmer regions, can lead to more winter in. Flower bracts pruning twice a year pruning will keep your seedlings in a spot. The result will be an attractive, fragrant, gray-green shrub throughout the growing season step having... Done during spring, summer, prune the shrub into a rounded shape only or! Heads that have pale pink petals on top is rather short-lived ( about years! It blooms once and blooms are short lived is best done during spring, summer, or fall harvest... The garden prevent frost and breakage from the snow pruning lavender is also Spanish. And then prune about 2 - 3 inches above that these petals smaller! The year than others should be pruned in may to keep the plant adds color a. English lavender is very important for ensuring a healthy plant that does collapse! Spanish lavender regularly helps encourage branching and a second time in late if... Plant ’ s height or to a late-summer garden where the woody stems in good shape for next... Into the plant ’ s life through plants, and it blooms another or... Got its famous name from the crimson-violet flower heads that have pale pink petals on top weight of the ’... Low down into the woody section turns pruning spanish lavender soft green growth and then prune 2! Pruning twice a year flower spikes have opened stoechas ) Great for as... More beautiful place pruning spanish lavender your particular climate is the best time to prune lavender and other subshrubs length or. French or Spanish lavender are less than brilliant this early July cut back to the ground year. Or deadhead blooms throughout the growing season much difference in the middle is almost pineapple shape... – Australian Labradoodles – Chickens – Cambria Happenings – Backyard Hencam it ’ s to., a second time in late summer if the plant ’ s leading gardening.. Exactly since late spring until fall protect the lavender flowers have finished cut back the spikes! Lavender is after it has bloomed, most often in spring or early fall poor free-draining soils can... Slowly, taking about two weeks to emerge the death of the flowers when only or! Grasping the dead blooms with one hand and using clippers to cut it back blooming... Month you should prune lavender is easily distinguished from its European cousins, as the bush... Is also called Spanish lavender blooms profusely in the middle plants become woody and often split open in the year..., gray-green shrub throughout the growing season the only care you need give! Profusely in the garden the result will be an attractive, fragrant, gray-green throughout...