2 weeks Ago By [email protected] (Angela Patrone, Vita Molyneux)
The cleaning sensation's followers shared their gardening tips in Facebook groups Lavender experts know that these plants are not all created equal, with different types like English, French, and Spanish lavenders requiring distinct care. For instance, take French and Spanish lavenders. They're a tad more delicate than the sturdy English variety, demanding extra attention during maintenance activities such as pruning.
Achieving a beautifully pruned lavender can result in it being a real showstopper of longevity, injecting life into gardens, window boxes, and homes with its vibrant hues, inviting fragrance, and the buzz of visiting wildlife. The gardening expert Sarah Raven suggests cutting back your lavender annually to promote lush flowering and prevent the plant from becoming overly woody and dishevelled, reports the Express . In terms of timing, Sarah's primary advice is to grab the shears right after the blooms have faded, stating: "Remove shoots to within one inch (2cm) of the previous year's growth.
" There has also been a buzz in the Mrs Hinch fan community regarding when is best to prune lavender. Keen gardnerer Jean Algeo sought advice in a horticultural fan group, she said: "Hi, can I ask for advice on pruning back a lovely lavender plant please. It has grown over the driveway and onto the path.
How far back should it be pruned and is it okay to do it now? Thanks for your help." Her Facebook inquiry, posted in early October last year, quickly turned into a hotbed of suggestions. Numerous followers fervently advised Jean to "cut back now", demonstrating the enthusiastic wealth of knowledge among the online gardening community.
Dawn Eveasham said: "Cut back now to just above where it has gone woody, any new shoots I cut can be put in a glass of water to root for next year." Echoing Dawn's approach, Alison Plastow said: "Cut back now. Once flowered.
They don't last forever. But keeping them trimmed they can last longer." Kate Noble added: "I cut mine back to the main plant, to all the flower stalks.
" Louise Cracknell said: "Don't go into the woody stalks and it will come back great." Doreen Byrne said: "Cut some back and put in a vase in bathroom." Lisa Heathcote gave more detailed guidance, she said: "Yes do it now.
Cut all the flower stalks off and half of the green leaves. Try not to go into the brown dead-looking stuff." However, in the midst of this well-meaning advice from gardening enthusiasts, there's actually a recommended schedule for pruning lavender to bear in mind.
Ideally doing the job twice annually: once in the autumn post-flowering, and then again in the early spring. Leigh Clapp, a horticulture expert, suggests dividing the task, they said: "Trim after flowering in autumn, then prune in the spring." For those with a pair of secateurs in hand, it's crucial not to prune your lavender too harshly after the summer season.
This could leave the plant susceptible and unable to cope with the colder months ahead. If you didn't manage to give your lavender a trim during the summer, particularly the more delicate varieties like French, Spanish and Italian lavenders, it's best to wait until spring for optimal results. However, English lavender can still be pruned in October.
When spring arrives, ensure you only prune your lavender plants once new growth has started to appear. Cutting your lavender at the right place is essential for its healthy growth and flourishing. Trim the plant just above the side branches or lead nodes.
The area where you're cutting should be green. It's generally advised against cutting into the woody part of the plant..
