Lorca
member
Reged: 12/04/2008
Posts: 534
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Have rather a huge lavender bush in the garden, have not done anything with it for a couple of years. It has gone very woody at the centre and because of the rain has now gone flat. Im not sure what to do with it and when. Any advice?
Lori
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Snowy1066
member
Reged: 08/07/2008
Posts: 3070
Loc: Southeast
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IS THIS A TRICK QUESTION?
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Lorca
member
Reged: 12/04/2008
Posts: 534
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No. I have no idea about gardens, I buy plants that look after themselves but this one clearly needs attention. When in bloom its lovely and I dont want to kill it by attacking with shears at wrong time in wrong place.
Bush can just mean bush!!!!
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marymary
member
Reged: 16/05/2007
Posts: 492
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I have just the same problem, Lorca. I'm not sure, but I think you're meant only to trim the new growth but not cut the woody stem - or you risk killing the plant. Is that right??
I think cuttings root quite easily so was thinking of taking some and perhaps getting a new plant so I could replace the old one. Let me know if you find the proper answer!
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kazann
member
Reged: 04/07/2008
Posts: 150
Loc: Derbyshire
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Marymary is right only cut the new growth and cuttings can be taken
kazann
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Von49
member
Reged: 01/01/2008
Posts: 33
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As long as you do not cut back into the old wood it should be ok to cut back now. Lavender does get very 'woody'with age and unless you are very fond of this one, it might be the time to treat yourself to a new variety. I have just cut back all of mine, as the rain has ruined all the flowers this year.
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Snowy1066
member
Reged: 08/07/2008
Posts: 3070
Loc: Southeast
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Sorry Lorca.
I agree with the girls do not cut back into the old wood, or just replace it. They do get scruffy after a couple of years, but the smell is to die for.
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BEL
member
Reged: 21/02/2008
Posts: 1146
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Hi Lorca, love your picci, I always think of it as the Tree
of Life?
Lavenders' are so cheap I would just replace it, always do
that with my old ones.....I love the French ones.
The old lavender bushes smell fab; on a bonfire!!!!!
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DianeJ
member
Reged: 23/08/2008
Posts: 38
Loc: Leicester UK
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If it has gone flat in the middle I would definitely take cuttings then dig up the old bush and replace. Unless you remember to cut lavender back each year it will develop lots of woody growth and look unsightly after a few years. save some of your flower heads and leaves for pot pourri.
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Mollymandy
member
Reged: 01/08/2008
Posts: 702
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The early ones were fine this year - Hidcote can be trimmed back after flowering and mine is just starting to flower again.
The bigger, later varieties, have all been flattened by the rain - on one of the sunny days (don't blink or you would have missed it), I cut all the flowers and have hung them up to dry in the garage.
All in all, a bad year for lavender.
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Lorca
member
Reged: 12/04/2008
Posts: 534
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Thanks all. Sounds like it is beyond saving. The cat hasnt helped he likes to sit on it and comes in smelling wonderful.
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jessie_1
member
Reged: 07/03/2006
Posts: 951
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HI I have loads of lavender bushes, and I cut mine evry year, and the ones that I have left and have gone woody,I cut it right down and then let the new roots come up.
hope this helps
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Diamonds may be a Girls best friend, but I prefer real friends.
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salgash
member
Reged: 02/07/2007
Posts: 246
Loc: Gloucestershire
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The chap from the Lavender Farm at the local farmers market told me to prune lavender on the eighth of the eighth every year. I have done that with mine for the last few years and it is fine. I think the later flowering lavender should be cut back a bit later.
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OzzieKez
member
Reged: 21/06/2008
Posts: 1902
Loc: Queensland, Australia
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Interesting salgash,
I was told by a lavender farmer that the bushes last about 8 years!
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magwii
member
Reged: 28/03/2008
Posts: 413
Loc: North Cyprus
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Yes, they have to be cut back but I can't remember when in the Uk as our 'garden season' is back to front to yours! Mine self seed and so I get loads of plants all over the garden, dig them up and plant them on. When the first plant gets too woody then I will replace with one of the new ones. I do love lavender, reminds me of my garden in the UK!
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