Gardening expert Lindsey Chastain – the founder of The Waddle and Cluck – has shared tips on how to revive a woody lavender plant by pruning it significantly in October
Keeping on top of your garden can be tricky, with different types of flowers, shrubs, trees and bushes needing taking care of in different ways at different times of the year.
Lindsey Chastain, the founder of The Waddle and Cluck, a blog packed with gardening tips, has shared her expertise on caring for lavender shrubs. Lindsey explained: “Lavender plants can become woody and leggy over time, with less lush green foliage and fewer flowers. This is often due to inadequate pruning.”
She added, “The good news is reviving a woody lavender plant is very possible with proper care.”
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To breathe new life into lavender, Lindsey recommends a significant prune, saying, “Cutting about two-thirds of the plant away will stimulate fresh new growth from the base.” She also advised gardeners to “Make clean cuts above any bare or dead woody stems. Next, shape and trim the remaining lavender stems and foliage to balance the plant.”
Despite her initial reservations about pruning her own lavender plants, Lindsey’s advice to other gardeners is to “just proceed with caution,” reminding them that it’s always possible to cut more later if needed, reports the Express.
When is the best time to prune lavender?
According to Lindsey, October is the prime month, so she urges gardeners to have their shears at the ready. Beyond cutting back, she stresses that ensuring good drainage is crucial to avoid woodiness in the future, suggesting, “Make sure the lavender has well-draining soil. Add compost or gravel to improve drainage if needed.”
Lavender, which “thrives in drier conditions”, needs only occasional watering when the soil is dry a few centimetres down. To “encourage growth” after pruning, experts recommend feeding the plant with a balanced fertiliser or compost tea.
The pro gardener said: “With proper pruning, favourable growing conditions, and regular feeding, your lavender should produce lush green foliage and an abundance of flowers once again in a few seasons.”
The expert added some advice for those eager to see results: “Be patient… it can take time to rejuvenate an overgrown, woody lavender plant.” Given time and correct care, like good pruning practices, gardeners can rest assured their lavender will burst back into life with an “abundance of flowers”.
