I have a 3 and a half foot lavender bush that is about 6 years old. We had one heck of an ice storm in February. I guess the ice flattenned the bush from the middle out. It actually looks like someone set in the middle of it. Branches are not broken. I would like your suggestions as what to do with this plant. Should I prune it? It looks unsightly as it is. Or, perhaps I should wait and see if it well "green up on the branches. The branches are about 1 3/4" in diameter.
#2. I have lavender growing along a sidewalk (including the one that looks like it got sat on--It is at the beginning of this "hedge".
I planted the lavender according to directions but I have found that it should have been planted further away from the sidewalk as now it covers up about 1/3 of the sidewalk. Should I trim them back? I don't think I can move them.
I love lavender and do nothing with it but look at it and smell it. I have read that you are NOT suppose to prune lavender. I need to study up on how to dry lavender and make lavender soap (love it).
Side note: My son pruned the heck out of one of my lavenders. It took two years to grow out but it did grow out.
lavender: ice storm Now What?
Birder,
You can prune lavender. If you don't the plant becomes very unsightly. But you cannot prune it back hard. If you cut into the brown stuff, there will be no regrowth!
In fact you should prune twice a year. First time when the plant's flowers have faded, you cut the flowers and their stalks out. The second time is in early spring (april). This time you cut it back by 5-25 cm., depending on the size of the plant.
Once a lavender has become unsightly, it will never become realy pretty again. You can better start anew and keep up the pruning to keep it in shape!
I agree.Who said you can't prune it?The key to pruning is to prune at the right time of the year.Normally you prune after a plant is done flowering or/and before the plant forms buds.Early spring(now) is the best time to prune lavender before new growth appears.Best time to transplant is when a plant is dormant(early or fall).Personally,I always transplant in the fall after the plant is done flowering,but still has time to set roots before winter.Edge
I think I've lost a good sized lavender shrub this year. We had an exceptionally cold winter. I cut it way back and am waiting to see what happens. A friend of mine told me she loses one almost every winter.